Strictly

I preferred Greg but guessed the judges would choose Claudia. What an achievement for an athlete and non-dancer to get as far as he did.

So it's the grannies who are voted for silly billy balls I think it's awful that good dancers are getting shoved off for such a clown after all it's not the best circus performer or is it? ridiculous
Why on earth should Yvette be considered a hero for turning up to watch her husband wouldn't anybody go along to watch their partner

bet she gets free tickets too

It's not just grannies who vote for Ed, but plenty of others who want to get a laugh. Let's face it, if people vote for Donald Trump etc just to shake things up, they are going to vote for E Balls.

Ed and Judge are so much more than just dancers. I would never watch just a straight dance programme. BBC want to provide an entertainment programme -and they do. People like Ed and Judge are key aspects of this.

Claudia will go next week I think?? I am so glad Ed is still in because I love watching him dance

I want Louise to win or Ore - NOT Danny!!

I agree Jane10 - it needs the variety and fun provided by Ed and Judge Rinder (though he can actually dance) or would be too straight.

Time for purely serious dancing in the last couple of weeks.

You got out of bed the wrong side bluebelle - it's a TV show not a party political broadcast

I've just caught up with the results on i-Player because I was watching Andy's unbelievable triumph in the Tennis. I will miss Gregg. He has made terrific progress and was very appropriately partnered with Natalie. His farewell was so moving that even I had a lump in my throat.
BTW, I may be a granny, but I don't vote for Ed Plenty of other viewers do that.

This granny certainly didn't vote for Ed even though initially I thought he was brave. Now I think he should do the decent thing and walk, because seriously good dancers are being sent home.

I don't want Danny Mack to win, he's too professional. The two dances that have made the hairs on my neck stand up are Ore's Singing in the Rain tribute and Louise's Argentine tango. I'd like to see a final with those two in it, and I will be voting for Ore, I think he's just fabulous (darling!).

Actually Anya I didn't get out the bed the wrong side I m trying to take my mind of feeling quite ill with a major infection and I ve no idea where politics come into it

the fact that I think he is just taking a place up that should go to someone who can dance is a valid opinion ....although it might be fun to have someone ' daft ' in the early stages it's just a mockery at this stage

That's the problem with a democracy voting for your favourite, I suppose.

Somebody's not going to like it.

My ideal last three would be Ed, Judge and Louise. Louise to win overall.

Mertrorgran that's not my point at all it's got nothing to do with liking or not liking the person it's the principle, if they keep one person in for 'entertainment' comical reasons they are knocking out good people I felt exactly the same when I used to watch X factor and see silly acts like Wagner or Jedward knock real singers with talent out It's almost a classic ' up yours' to the judges by the public
Why not have a full comedy dancing competition with all the Eds and Anne W s and John S's in it that would pull the punters in and Ed could win and everyone would be happy
I think Louise should win too and I like Judge rinder because although they tried to make him out to be a comedy act the man does have rhythm and movement and hasn't made a bad job of it at all in fact he's my favourite on there BUT I don't think he should beat Louise or Ora or maybe even Dan or Claudia

I've discovered that my daughters are being forced to vote for Ed, by their daughters - ages 3,3,5 and 8.

I think it is an injustice to Ed to say that he is comedic. That may be what the producers intended when they invited him and in the way they have dress him. BUT, he has risen above that and tried his best to dance and compete as a dancer. He may not be the best but he deserves his place on improvement and attitude.

When Judge and Ed are voted out I am not bothering to watch the rest , I admire these two for improving weekly , it's what Strictly was about in it's earlier years

Ed, being older and a non dancer, has worked incredibly hard to get where he is. I would like to see Ed, the judge and either Ore or Louise in the final. Ore also has had no previous dance experience and that should be taken into consideration.

I loathed Ed as an MP but it is good to see the other side of him and that he has a terrific sense of humour.

Me too Anniebach. No fun without either of those two. We'll have to keep voting to keep them in!

I love Judge Rinder and have enjoyed watching Ed Balls, but probably Louise, Ore or Danny should win.
I have never watched this much of a Strictly season before!

I think the judges scores should be taken as a percentage of the marks in voting as this would be more accurate so if a contestant gets 40 that is 100% and a contestant getting 16 would get 40%. This means that the person at the bottom of the leader board needs a significant percentage of the public vote in order not to be in the bottom two.
The professionals have help with their choreography which is not mentioned. One year a contestant thanked the outside choreographers and the judges were flustered and said they didn't know what he was talking about.
I think Ed Balls provides great entertainment and I love watching him. I hope Louise wins.

My point Bluebelle was that this show is entertainment and a party political broadcast is not (well not deliberately!)

Hope you are feeling a bit better today.

I think Ed Balls was brought into the show to fill the same role as Ann Widdecombe and John Sergeant did, but he has risen above this and has really learnt to dance. He seems to have become something of a cult with viewers and if he is voted as winner, it wouldn't surprise me. It's good to see someone who has no dance experience taking on quite complicated routines and not making an absolute fool of himself - except in that daft 'Gangnam' number. Great credit too to Katya who manages to bring out the best in him. I am going to miss Gregg Rutherford, another non-dancer, who has been so successful in mastering the footwork that must be completely alien to him as an athlete.

I wonder if they gave ED a 'proper' dance how he would get on. he has obviously improved?
felice my DB and DSisIL were 'proper dancers', winning medals when they were young, and DSisIl doesn't call this 'proper dancing' - more show dancing and showbizzy!!

Good point Anno - Katya is a great choreographer. Unlike others with clod-footed Slebs in the past she has actually taught him to dance and created routines that he can manage and yet are comedic. Too often in the past the professional dancer made themselves the focus of attention to draw eyes away from their partners lack of ability.

Katya very cleverly has done the opposite.