Strictly Come Dancing

Not Susanna best dance, but she was not the worst dancer on the night. With any luck she will be returning next week. I felt sorry for Sophie and Brendan, he was so upset that the judges did not appreciate his interpretation of their dance, I personally thought it was beautiful. Apart from Natalie, who we know has dance training behind her, they have all learned so much, I find it quite admirable. The less said about BF the better, so embarrassing, poor Tess just did not know what to do!!

I record the programme so that I can now fast forward Bruce. I cannot stand the sight of him.

Nothing spectacular from any of the dancers this week, all a bit lack lustre. Not the best choreography either. Wonder who'll be in the dance off with Mark?
Tess's face was a picture wasn't if?

Ben looks like being next in line after - perhaps even before - Mark. I'll miss him when he goes. He has a lovely...personality.

Interesting opinions on the FB 'Strictly' page. Susanna is favourite there and the feeling is that the judges were very biased last night.

I have a soft spot for Mark because I watched Land Girls with my two granddaughters and they loved it.

I think Brendan's choreography is a star act of its own.

Mumsy!!!!! Well she is a Mum..... rock on Susanna!
I thought her dance was super.
I also liked Brendon's choreography for Sophie, anyone watching Sophie perform knows she doesn't fling herself around and has cultivated the 'cool' look, it's her stage persona and she is hardly likely to alter that, Brendon played to her strengths!
I too thought Brucie was about to keel over, he got in such a muddle and found it difficult to move on. I'll bet they have a paramedic in the front row!

Mumsy - it was not kindly meant. Was it Craig who said it?

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

Phew!

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

Great!

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

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...

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

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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 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!

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.

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.