Strictly

This is the first time we e ever tried to vote -is it possible?

I haven't watched any of this series as I can't stand the inane chat from the girls but am pleased to be watching the Final. I have just voted for Ore he is fab IMO.

Yes!!!

I forecast Ore to win at the start of the thread, fingers crossed now ...

Why do people vote for Louise? Because they think she's the best?

Ore deserves to win - hope he does!

Love it. But I am a traditionalist so that's why I like Ore's routine I guess.

We can't vote anywhere!!!

Aren't they amazing?!!!

Ore, Ore,Ore, yes yes yes!!

Or DH is saying Louise, Louise, Louise, yes yes yes!!

But I think it will be Dan?

Why do people vote for anyone? Because they enjoy watching them dance and they like them. It's as simple as that!

And I like Louise and hope she wins on Saturday but I will be happy if Ore wins - just NOT Danny.........

Can't understand the appeal of Louise. She gets the movements right. But why do people vote for her?

I agree with mcem. I must admit when I cast my votes on line, I assumed that most people would vote for Danny, but clearly they mostly thought the same!

But you couldn't get through on the phone so Ore had the advantage. Still think it was fixed.

no one at the top of the leaderboard had ever been in the dance off their place is safe.
I'm not sure - is that right?

I'm sure I remember one time (recently) when someone was at the top of the leader board then in the dance off and I said to DH 'how can that happen?'
But perhaps my memory is not what it was

This is how it works apparently:

The judges' marks count for 50% of the final score, and the public phone vote for the other 50%. In theory this should reduce the influence of the sympathy vote and help to keep the better dancers in the competition for longer, though it doesn't entirely work that way.

So - someone could get 4 tens and get 50% from the judges but fail to impress the public and few people vote for them so they end up in the bottom two.

It was fixed by the judges awarding higher marks to Ore and under marking Claudia, making him safe at the top of the leaderboard, no one at the top of the leaderboard had ever been in the dance off their place is safe. FIXED because Claudia not in the road show. I think the judges except Bruno should be ashamed of themselves.

It's nothing new Merlot we've had children trotted out for the ooh aah affect and even an alleged granny canvassing on this site.

Sorry to hear you're in bah humbug mode. Not firing on all cylinders myself, so have every sympathy.

Or perhaps lots of people assumed Danny was a cert so voted to give Ore a chance. Tactical voting often fails!
I'd like Louise to win but since I've never voted I don't think I will at this stage.

Is subtle manipulation the new fixing, Anya?

Don't mind me. I'm in a Bah Humbug mood today.

Too much to do and I'm already running out of steam.

There was some subtle manipulation of the vote, but it wasn't 'fixed'. First of all there was the presence of Oré's wife and parents in the audience, then a big emphasis on how he had no dancing experience at all, being only a sports reporter. I think I heard that he was even reluctant to dance at his own wedding.

Fair does though, he danced brilliantly and Joanne is a wonderful choreographer.

The thing that makes me a bit suspicious is how convenient the vote (apparently) was this week.

It wouldn't have looked good for Danny never to have been in the dance-off so it had to happen last night, leaving Oré safe and Claudia the obvious one the judges would send home.

(Sorry, I keep forgetting about Louise most of the time!)

I'm definitely in the 'fixed' camp.

I hope they have a mop and bucket handy if Ore wins.

Man up FFS.

I have voted on line ever since that method became available. Phone voting can turn out to be expensive and it isn't always easy to get through. I'd have liked to vote for all four but sadly I have only three on line votes!

I'm not someone who sees conspiracies at all, but I must say I'm beginning to wonder. The Beeb already tries to pretend that the results show is filmed on Sunday with the judges and presenters specifically saying "last night" and "on Saturday" when we all know that the whole thing is filmed on the Saturday. The presenters may change clothes and hairstyles but the audience, when the camera turns to someone's family or a celeb, are still wearing the same things. Hence the vote is only open for 40 minutes on Sat after the show. Why pretend?

As far as Claudia is concerned, she has been under-marked throughout the whole programme. Her tango was just amazing with body control that the judges commended, yet marks didn't reflect that. Her quickstep was fabulous.

I don't mind favourites being voted off as long as it's fair.

Oh come on, Strictly is definitely NOT FIXED. People couldn't vote because so many other people were voting. Why do people always want to see a conspiracy when the person they want to win gets voted out?

Claudia was voted out because a) less people voted for her
b) Danny was deemed by the judges to be the better dancer. These are the facts and I don't even like Danny - please note.

I want Louise or Ore to win depending on how they perform on the night.

I found Ore's Argentine Tango to be all about Jo - she was excellent but as a former World Champion so she should be. He was quite poor - none of the intricate kicks and interlocking steps that are an integral part of the dance. The Judges marked it on Jo's performance certainly not on his.

I can't understand the dislike for Danny. He is a wonderful dancer doing very hard choreography and I don't see any smugness at all. Rather, I think he works tremendously hard and when he dances is focused on the routines Oti gives him. He is a joy to watch and has produced the best dances of the series in my view.

I m afraid I pay onto the ' fixed' crew I would NEVER spend any cash on phone votes How come it ' went down' it seemed to do that regularly in X factor or BB voting a while back ....really convienent .... especially if as someone has said Claudia can't go on the tour

ummmmm call me cynical but how can you be so sure is isnt fixed Is it trust of the good old Beeb ummm again

Like you Jane I gave up it got rather samey for me

Heard an impromptu local radio interview with Claudia and her Mum this morning. The presenter was expecting to speak with Mum on the phone as she has through the competition but Mum explained Claudia was also there. Claudia sounded really tired and so sad to be out of the competition but totally professional, acknowledging disappointment only. Her Mum equally so. Can't help wonder if availability for the tour is in the behind the scenes thinking somewhere, will never know and of course there are differences of opinion every year.