Strictly 2018

They would be hard put to finding enough “celebrities “ with zero dance experience as most actors, singers etc will have been to drama or stage school and they all do dance classes. We’d be stuck with newsreaders and politicians.

Given that most of us are not experts in dance, we don't have the knowledge or experience to judge on formal dance criteria.
I knew nothing of Stacey beforehand, but even if I did, I 'd hardly vote for her because of her investigative reporting abilities or withhold my vote from someone involved in a scandal.
So how do I decide how to vote?
Simply by going for the one I find most entertaining!

I love Stacey but felt that Faye was the best last night. My granddaughter is devastated Stacey didn't win and I do think the public has been against her even though her dancing had been outstanding . She shouldn't have been in the dance off 3 times when she was so good

I thought Ashley and Fay were both technically brilliant, outstanding last night, I particularly loved Fay's jazz dance to "Fever". However, it was clear that Stacey had the public's heart so it wasn't a surprise when she won. I think there is a perception that some of the contestants are pretty accomplished dancers already and that works against them, I remember the year Denise Van Outen was in the finals, it was a well known fact that she had appeared in "Chicago" on the London stage and that didn't bode well for her, again she definitely had the edge, but didn't win. As others have pointed out, many of the contestants will have been to stage school so it isn't really a level playing field, hence the absolute beginner often winning.

I had been wanting Stacey to win but last night I didn't like one of her dances much, mainly the choreography, and changed my mind to wanting Faye to win. All 3 of Faye's dances were fabulous. I ruled Ashley out. She has even been a judge on Dancing on Ice.

However, Stacey and Joe were the non-dancers who made good ..... did you see Craig's face when the winner was announced? Clearly he disagreed!! And he seems to have a downer on Kevin from Kevin's remarks last night. Anyway, I was really pleased for Kevin himself and shed a few tears when he cried and got so emotional. It was also good to see his wife (separated wife) rush to be first in to give him a hug. Perhaps they will get back together?

I am fairly disgusted by the result tonight, by Stacey Dooley, and by my own naivety. I thought contestants entered the show primarily for the dance experience, to revive a flagging career and to branch out in show business. Apparently not.
Miss Dooley, 'I am just a young girl,' (31 is young but not a girl) is going to be made a star of BBC One, announced before the results. 'One of the reasons we (who?) did Strictly was just to show my lighter side......you are able to have conversations with the general public about lighter things.' And there was me thinking it was all about achieving perfection in dance.

As the BBC has invested so much in her dance training, perhaps they will also invest in elocution lessons; I don't think she sounded a single 't' last night, and as for 'me and Kev' in that corncrake voice, not something I intend to listen to ever again. Is this really the direction BBC is intending to go, to capture the youth audience?

A sour post, yes, but this is devaluing dance and all its attendant skills, knowledge and sheer hard work, something I have cared passionately about all my life. The BBC are reducing it to the level of 'The Apprentice.'

ha ha ,she doesn't sound the letter 't'. Doomed. Never travel to West Cumbria, you won't understand a word.

eazybee
I'd stop sucking those lemons if I were you. Or, as Stacy would say if I woz you

I think the "we" will relate to her agent. Even hard news reporters and sports stars have them these days and the agent often has to persuade the more serious or shy entrants that reality TV will be good for their career.

Sometimes it isn't. At least a couple of this year's Strictly contestants have found it did the opposite, portraying them as cheats or prima donnas, even if just fleetingly. It's a risk they all take...as is the problem that you won't really know until you are in it whether you will have two left feet or be graceless. Or get on with your partner.

In the uncertain world of TV presenting, Stacey has done very well to get a named programme and the respect she has for her particular documentary style. Unfortunately, the BBC has a habit of overpromoting a few people who are a hit with the public when there are plenty of other people who could do a great job. Stacey's agent is not going to argue with that as his/her cut will be greater.

So stand by for Stacey on everything and you'll just have to get used to the accent and the lack of tees (actually quite endearing in this part of Scotland where we are proud of the glottal stop).

I'd rather hear the odd "Me and Kevin" than the often repeated mistake by presenters who pride them selves in Estuary English, yet frequently say: "Give that to Kevin and I".

And while we are on the subject of popular presenters, am I the only one who feels that the highest paid woman on BBC TV could have afforded to get a tiny trim of her fringe before appearing in front of 11 million people with her hair in her eyes?

I think it was a well deserved result. Stacey was not a dancer to begin with and trained very hard, improving week after week. I loved Joe too, another non dancer who worked very hard and was endearingly modest.

...or "myself and ....." Caledonia which irritates me more than "me and ...."

'I find Stacey's accent pretty grating, maybe because I'm from the south and it's more annoying to me than any regional accent, which I don't have a problem with. I also know I would have expected a slapping from my parents if I'd adopted that vernacular. Her accent is the opposite end of the spectrum to the old fashioned received pronunciation of old school BBC announcers from yesteryear, who also sound awful in a different way, probably because that way of speaking is such an anachronism now. I think many of us just want an acceptable speaking voice, not too "oh gawd blimey Eliza Doolittle or superciliously upper crust. Somewhere in the middle will do, but grammar and pronunciation still matter, or should.

Anyway a digression from her dancing. Still a worthy winner Stace, true to the spirit of Strictly. Beginner to Winner

Yes Sparklefiz, "myself and.." breaks both rules, including the one about putting the other person first.

I love hearing regional accents on TV and, strangely, the one place you often hear bad (or no) attempts are in drama where the producers don't seem to ever care about whether actors sound like the bulk of the population in that area.

The Shetland programme was the worst recent example.

TwiceAsNice
I don't know what show you watched but your granddaughter needed be upset Stacey did win.

I like Stacey Dooley and am very much a fan of her documentaries - I especially admire her bravery and her compassion. She certainly doesn't need 'promoting', having already written a book and made more than 60 films and documentaries covering a wide range of hard-hitting topics. She's been working for the BBC for about ten years I think and has carved out a career to be proud of.

I think that her success on Strictly is a testament to her fantastic work ethic and a previously undiscovered talent for dance. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching her turn from a duckling into a swan - maybe not a perfect dancer, but very competent, hugely entertaining and brimming with enthusiam - a joy to watch. I must also say that I was delighted that Kevin finally got his hands on the Glitterball at last.

If I was judging it purely on the dancing I would have voted for Faye. But in that case why not run it purely as a dance competition with all professional dancers? As a celebrity competition personalities do come into it and Stacey is very popular.

grannyactivist
It was because of Stacey's documentary on the clothes industry that I will not buy any new clothes or shoes for a year. In fact I will try to carry it on longer.

I think Stacey and Kevin also got some sympathy votes because of Craig’s attitude towards them - will he never learn?