Strictly's Back

Couldn't help thinking, as I watched Mollie and Gemma being trundled round the floor, what Aston and Davood would have made of their dances for the semi-final.

I could not agree more- this pair should not have been in the semi final. If they are in the dance off I would think that Gemma would be saved as she appears to be the better dancer.

Yes, quite clear who should be in the dance off. Let’s hope for a sensible public vote, though now we’re down to the last 5 the judges have made it statistically unlikely, with their voting tactics, that the public vote will carry as much influence this week.

I so agree eazybee, Aston and Davood would have been in my last five, particularly Aston I thought he was a super dancer and fully expected him to be in the last three. Mollie and Gemma in my opinion are middle rankers and should have both been out by now. Based on last night, overall winner Alexandra with Joe runner up. Remains to be seen though!

The wardrobe department should get some sort of award this week , I thought some of the dresses were stunning.

The judges seem to want Debbie to win - maybe she is going on tour with them. I find their remarks embarrassingly over the top, and maybe Debbie does too.

Not so sure of that, starbird. The judges marked Debbie below Alexandra and equal with Joe this week. I feel sure that Joe is getting the viewers votes since he is (I think) the only competitor who has never (yet) been in the dance-off.

viewers' votes. I am a stickler for apostrophes!

It often seems to depend on personality as far as viewers are concerned. I can't say I warm to Debbie but I really hope she is in the final. I don't think anyone over forty has ever won, and she is amazingly fit and flexible in spite of being old enough for GN. I wish I had a tenth of her energy. I hope Debbie, Joe and Alexandra are the top three.

I read somewhere that Joe has come top in all the voting, so he’s the bookies favourite.

Win or lose I think Debbie is living the nearly 60 year old's dream. Fit enough to do those dances, wearing beautiful dresses and spending weeks in the arms of a gorgeous Italian

I really want Joe to win - he's just the embodiment of the spirit of Strictly for me. To look back at his earlier dances and then compare them to what he achieves now it's apparent that his progress is remarkable. And I'm sorry to bang on, but he's never been a professional dancer. Craig was Alexandra's dance coach for Sister Act and Debbie was a professional dancer for years - and not just ballet.

Agree ga, I’d also like Joe to win. He’s always cheerful and yes, his progress has been remarkable. We’ll soon know.

Well grannyactivist I’ve been a-googling to try to find out if indeed your comment that Debbie was a profession dancer ‘for years’ is true.

All I can find is thar yes, she won a place at the Royal Ballet when she was 16 but her dancing career came to an end when she was 19,

If you can find information that supports your claim then please post it, I’d be interested to learn the truth.

Thought I’d have a look, nosey soul that I am. Wikipedia says she was part of Second Generation, it seems for a couple of years, Friday. I’m never sure how accurate that is though. ga may have some better information. I thought Debbie was looking tired, but then why wouldnt she?

In 2000 Debbie became a Dance Director for her own Ballet Company which lasted for 3 years, don't know whether she ever danced it it.

I can prophecie that the blonde presenter will say to the losers 'come here my darling you have tried your very best ......' She has about 5 different phrases that she repeats over and over. As you can see she thoroughly irritates me. Claudia is marginally better. I never thought I would say it but I wish we still had Brucie presenting.

It should be a good Final.

I never understand why people are mean about Tess? I always feel that the programme is in safe hands with her and Claudia hosting (but Claudia is a bit daft sometimes).

I want Joe to win!!

Sweet little Molly had to go I think she looked lovely but was lacking technique although I loved her party Samba.

Its Alexandra for me but I have to agree Debbie is living the dream.

I would definitely like a change from Tess next year - what a robot!

I would just love Debbie to win, she must work amazingly hard during the week to pull off such stunning performances. She is s superb dancer for her age. I only wish I had half her stamina and grace. Good luck Debbie.

Debbie does admit to working with Second Generation, how much she did is debatable tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/strictly-come-dancing/339860-strictly-come-dancings-debbie-mcgee-hits-back-critics.html
And isn't her time frame a bit questionable?
I just wonder, Darcey hasn't danced for 10 years could she drop out as a judge and come back as a contestant?

Joe! He's worked so hard

For me its got to be Debbie or Joe... Alexandra seems to be a professional dancer, at least some of the time. Gemma is a great girl but not in the same league.

it's.. I'm an apostrophe nerd too.

I say good for Debbie its helped her after her bereavement and she has showed that older women can hack such an incredibly physically demanding schedule. If they stipulated only people who had never danced in anything before or hadn't been to stage school that would eliminate most of the decent contestants. I'm sure Joe will win as he's been consistently the most popular, but I am full of admiration for the other contestants as well.

Don't think Alexandra deserves 40.
Not a Debbie fan but would've marked her higher than Alexandra - but couldn't! Loved Gemma but was delighted by Joe 's Doc Z.
Haven't voted in this series but after seeing the rest of the show will probably vote for him.
Bring on the next round!