Strictly Come Dancing

I would hate to have to pick a winner now, they are all so good. I should think even the public voting will be very close.
I felt exhausted by the end of Susannah's dance, where does she get the energy!

I've just watched it back, having been out tonight. The standard was breathtaking and just about anyone could win - except perhaps Mark, despite his entertaining samba. I thought Craig was very unfair to Susanna, not weighing the small number of mistakes against the speed and complexity of the choreography. Patrick was stunning - looked as if he'd been doing the charleston all his life!

What a speed Susannah's dance was. Well done to her and ofcourse I voted for her.
Hope you enjoyed the show GrandmaMiney

Just off to Elstree--nerves off the scale--so goodness knows what DD's are like. I imagine she needs the adrenalin--not sure I do
Enjoy tonight all you wonderful Gransnetters!

Probably be wearing black as usual! Maybe a sparkly scarf, though, and I've just bought some glitter for my nails. Hair now a bit 'silvery' as well, but with my original dark underneath. I seem to have greyed from the middle instead of the edges
When I appeared for a millisecond during the launch programme back in September one of my grandchildren spotted me and took a photo of the TV pic--it's on my profile page in photos. I'm the one without glasses. But I may have to wear some rimless ones tomorrow to make sure I don't miss anything
DD and I both appreciate all the votes and thank all of you who take the trouble to vote in the limited time slot at the end of the programme.

Hope you've got YOUR frock ready for tomorrow GrandmaMiney

Makes my afternoon with med students even more worthwhile, Deedaa. I hope they make better doctors than the one you mentioned and I hope DH's doctor is giving him the best care. My thoughts are with you both.
I hasten to add I was role-playing a medical condition from a few years ago [now resolved]--not rabbiting on about SCD . It did prove therapeutic though. Just as well as I'm now off for Friday (dress rehearsal day) grandson duty. I love it

Stressed out grandmother should be a good example of the average patient for them Hope they weren't like the one I saw last week. He walked up to the bed next to DH where there was an old man with obviously terminal cancer and said in a loud voice "Has anyone spoken to you about resuscitation?" The poor old boy's reaction made it clear it had never even crossed his mind.

Stress levels building higher and higher as the Saturday Seven prepare to strut their stuff. I just can't tell you how stressful it is--and it's only an entertainment show. Very grateful for Gransnet support
I went to be a guinea pig for first year medical students to practice their communication skills (at Imperial College) this afternoon. It took my mind off SCD for a few hours, brought me back to reality and the students seem to find it useful. Just hope I don't need any first aid skills on Saturday.

Brucie must go after this series (if he lasts till the end) because otherwise Strictly will turn into a freak show. We felt uncomfortable watching him struggle with the autocue on Saturday night even though he recovered very well. There's a danger that some viewers will tune in and hope for a drama and if something does happen can you imagine the YouTube hits?

Not a nice thought.

I agree - Brendan is nothing like as brash as he was in the early days.

We rewatched Brucie's turn (didn't he do well to cope with it ) and the look in Tess's eyes was pure terror and she seemed watchful ever after.

I was sad to see Big Ben go - he seems like a really nice bloke. Sophie is growing on us now despite her dreadful songs!

Yes, anno he has matured a lot since his marriage and fatherhood. I think he was respecting Sophie's attitudes. She is not an overtly 'sexy' dancer.

I feel I need to jump to the defence of Brendan. He is nothing like as prickly as he once was. Indeed, he's positively mellow nowadays. His intervention on Saturday was non-aggressive by his previous standards.

Good news GrandmaMiney!
Will you wear something distinctive so we can spot you?
Hope your first aid skills are up to muster should Brucie have a turn

We'll all have to hand to be along with you on Saturday GrandmaMiney all fingers crossed for the quickstep

Brendan annoys me the way be always quarrels with the judges, and to be quite honest, if I was to take part in voting, I would on principle not vote for him and his partner, because he argues so much - sorry that sounds a bit petty, but it is how I feel about him. The judges are there to judge, and give an opinion, sometimes they seem a bit picky, but the competition is hotting up, and they are basically there to help improve the dancing, and pointing out one or two things which might not be apparent to the dancers. I am not sure Mark should still be there, but he is such a lovely person, and Ben was all muscle , without much movement, next week should prove interesting, but the end of Mark I think.

Really hard to choose between Ben and Mark, but then I don't know enough about the technicalities to pick up the mistakes.
Lovely to know we shall see Susanna again - I'm sure the quickstep will be a good dance for her

If I feel emotionally shattered at this stage--how on earth am I going to cope when she is out? Thank you all so very much for your support for DD, and for me. I can't tell you how much we appreciate it.
We were all so anxious and her fear was genuine, I know it.
Although relieved for DD, I was sad to see Ben go as I have grown fond of him. It is now getting sad when any of them leave.
So now it all starts again for next week--a Quickstep with music from 'Singing in the Rain'. I think I'm excited about going, but not sure if my nerves will stand it! May have to take a thimble of brandy with me
I do wonder if Craig's comments were harsh because he is regretting his column in this week's Woman magazine where he tipped DD for the top. It is a fascinating journey...but through very choppy waters.
Have a good week x

Grandmaminey, you can relax for another week, though Susanna will be very busy learning her quickstep. She is a favourite - maybe the favourite with the public who are suspicious of people like Natalie who are just too good right from the start. They will give their votes to the ones who came to the programme as beginners. Remember, Denise Van Outen didn't win!

I agree with you Ana.
Pleased for you GM as you can see the show live now.

I'm glad too, although I didn't think there was any way Susanna would be in the bottom two! Am getting a bit irritated by the media's assumption that Natalie will definitely win, though...

Delighted she's through (and that her mum gets to go next week!)

Great!

Phew!

Poor Susanna looked really anxious. Great that she's through.

That's mean then!
Yes it was Craig but, again, he enjoys playing Mr. Nasty.