Strictly Come Dancing

Thank you, thank you, thank you --all of you, for your support and, of course, for your votes. I think maybe you can imagine the relief surging around here, but it was good to hear the audience's reaction and feel she does deserve her place in the semi-final.
I think some people have criticised DD's 'thank you's' when she has been voted through, but I can assure you they are spontaneous, sincere and genuine. Our first thought is of gratitude to those who support us --including the wonderful gransnetters on this thread.
I was sorry to see Ashley go--I just wish they could have had the final tonight as I really like all of them. But I imagine Ashley's new baby will be happy to get to see his Dad--not to mention the baby's mum--at last Ash should be up for 'night duty'
Have a wonderful week--I'll try to keep quiet xx

I do love Len, he always sticks to the rules.

What a cheer they got from the audience! They really are the public favourites. I was sorry for Ashley and Ola but I really didn't want to lose Patrick.
Pick yourself up off the floor, GrandmaMiney!

Yay! Well done, Susanna!

Evening Galen, you beat me to it with the phew! xx

Phew! And Hoorah for the girls!

Well done, Susanna and Kevin.

Phew!!!!!!!!!

What a relief, Susannah is through. Good for Kevin also in his first SCD.

Yes, I've noticed Artem and Natalie are cool and controlled in their approach and their relationship, not relaxed or having that comradeship that the others all seem to have. They are extremely ambitious and want to win, there is no doubt about that; just hope they don't. I don't think they are favourites with the public, so no need to worry, and I agree, that "back problem" doesn't seem to hinder her now. If it were that serious she would never have been able to carry on. The rest are all so good, it will be hard to choose a winner, I think they have all done brilliantly.

Survived the night, warmed by your comments. Now off to dig my allotment to get rid of tension and keep me occupied until tonight.
I am just hoping that your votes (TQ) and those of the Great British Public (who like to see 'fair play', I think) are enough to get DD through.
I agree Grandmanorm, no one said life is fair--it's the assumption we are brought up on--and a lesson we have to learn over and over again.
I'm an 'interested party' so my view doesn't really count, but it does seem, from comments I've heard, that DD does symbolise the essence of what SCD is all about. If Team Kevanna have brought some joy to quite a few viewers during their journey, then it's all so worthwhile--whenever they have to leave.

I agree, there is a smugness about Natalie although I do like Artem. I have always wondered about the time off with alleged "back pain" but she can do anything now.

Susanna and Kevin were hardly on when they were voted off the swingathon last night. I did not think that it was very fair. I do hope that the votes save Susanna.

I gave Susannah 3 of my votes on line, so hope that helps. I agree that Len was very grumpy.
I just hope Artem and Natalie don't win, it wouldn't seem fair to me. However, no-one ever said life was fair.

I'm really put off Natalie and Artem. I think she has a smugness about her, almost as though she's taken it for granted that she will win.
She started off being a good dancer, and nothing much seems to have changed.
The others have either improved or been voted off

Totally agree with Lona, blink and you would have missed Susanna and Kevin in the 'swingathon'.
Ashley, already mad as a result of previous marking, really erupted when he and Ola had to leave. (I thought they were better than the eventual winners!)
Artem has such a fierce desire to win it's off-putting. Natalie seems to mirror this.
Abbie, Sophie and Susanna seem genuinely to enjoy what they do ( I suppose Patrick does too).... I am rooting for the 'girls'.

Bootstrap pulling-up in progress. Preparing to pick up shattered dreams if necessary. Reverted from G&T to a good old fashioned , filled the hotties and am preparing to take to my bed. Sleep may not be an option, but I have a few books on the go.
thank you for your thoughts, and votes

Voting on line, you don't have to keep trying. I gave Susanna three of my five votes and Patrick two.

I managed eventually to get through and voted for Susanna x2 as the judges I thought were so unfair tonight.

I can't see the point of a swingathon if they don't give all the dancers a fair crack of the whip. Susanna and Kevin only had a few seconds.....ridiculous and Len was really grumpy tonight.

Just had a quick look at the bbc blog page and a lot of people are unhappy about the judges marking, and the fact that they pulled Kevin and Susanna out of the swingathon so quickly.
They do seem to unfairly favour some dancers.

Yes, it is only a flippin dance show, and there she is, all these weeks later, still one of the best dancers in the show. She should be justifiably proud of all she's done, Grandmaminey.

A conspiracy theory, Miney - I like it!

You are so right anno. Getting things back in perspective--it's only a flipping dance show!
(just possible you may see my bared teeth there!)
I guess no woman over 40 has ever done that well, and if I wanted to be really pathetic I'd wonder if the bookies had got to the judges (who were quite fair in their comments, so it's not a serious remark, but forgive my slightly emotional moment). I read today that over £1million has been placed at the bookies on DD winning SCD. Much too much to pay out if they are to enjoy their Christmas! [shame on me]
Have a great weekend.

The music and the choreography let Susanna down. That Michael Jackson number was far from suitable for an Argentine tango which is - for want of a better word - a kind of spikey dance and needs sharp rhythms. They did their best with it, but it wasn't really an Argentine tango. It was hard on Kevin too being given such a difficult challenge at such a crucial stage in the show. They never had a chance to get started in the swingathon. Let's hope her popularity with the viewers gives Susanna a chance. The judges gave Natalie quite a hard time, though she and Artem were sensational in the swingathon.

sorry devastated, just proves the point