Strictly 2024

I don’t like Neil, but I do like Karen. I think it would be a mistake to have a big clear out of the professionals, because they are the backbone of the show really, and lots of new professionals all at once would not work in my opinion. Is this just a rumour though, rather than anything official?

As I thought, Wynne would be saved, and he was not the better dancer. I don't pretend to understand the Professor Biggs theory of voting, but will return for a closer look; I have noted over the years how some contestants find their way into the final five, if not three, not on merit but because they are saved by the judges. Others are unaccountably dropped, and as the public voting scores are never revealed (why not) it is impossible to calculate. Hope it is not being engineered to get Chris, so deservedly popular, out by putting him up against someone he cannot beat.
This suspicion of 'engineering' spoils Strictly for me.

I hadn’t heard that Grandmadinosaur and I really hope it’s not true. I love Karen, Katya and Gorka.

Sorry I’m not very good with links but I just Googled it and the other dancer was Nadiya. I hope it’s just a rumour.
Then again there was also reports last week of Johannes leaving. As he’s doing a tour of Kinky Boots next year and I also understand his life story is being made into a film I could see his reasons. I was pleased to see him post on his socials that in his words “ I’m going nowhere” he’s one of my favourites.

Allira

😯 Tasha!

You can't drive through Blackpool!

You've either never been or you go and visit.

You can drive through the lights. At least you could about 45 years ago. My nan lived in Cleveleys and was then in a care home in Fleetwood. We used to go when the lights were on and take her a drive through the lights all along the front.

😯

But you have to stay afterwards!

I first went when I was about six weeks old, last went with DH who was not impressed!
I think it's improved since then.

Pathetic decision by Shirley, I can't stand her. Wynne should have gone. Have to blame Anton too.

I feel that Shirley should be demoted from her head judge position, her marking is ludicrous.
I can’t stand Wynne, and his time should have been up.
Pete has grown on me, I too hate all the emotional stuff, but I agree, he looked genuinely very upset.
But to score him higher than Sarah? Come on Shirley, that’s ridiculous.

Talking of the emotional stuff, if Bobby was allowed a number dancing about his mum, Jade Goody, last year, then I guess Pete was just following in the same way.
Occasionally there is a piece of haunting music you play over and over to remember a loved one, and it really reduces you to tears by its association. Mine is Memories from Cats.

Allira I grew up in Blackpool and the queue for the lights used to be extremely long on Squires gate Lane, just before the start on the prom at Starr Gate.
There was even a phrase 'beat the peak, come midweek!'.
Day trippers, well evening trippers really, would start to form the queue as soon as it was dusk- drive along the prom through the lights- then drive out of Blackpool using Preston New Road. So you could just drive through and leave again,
It was a one way system- very disruptive for Blackpool residents who avoided the prom like the plague if they wanted to get anywhere quickly. This was before the M55 motorway was built which enabled many more to have speedy access to Blackpool, just for the day/evening.
The weekends were when lots of coaches etc came and people stayed in the guesthouses and hotels, so the lights were a great way of extending the season, leading nicely into those who came for Christmas and New Year.
We moved down south about 30 years ago and when we go back to visit relatives I hardly recognise the place, so many new roads in and out, connecting with the M55, new builds where the countryside was ( yes even up North we had fields and cows ) and its lovely to see the tower still standing proud, shining like a colourful beacon.

So disappointed to see Shayne go I felt his dancing was way better than Wynne

harrysgran

So disappointed to see Shayne go I felt his dancing was way better than Wynne

I totally agree, harrysgran!

Terrific opening number!!

What a fantastic start!

The Pet Shop Boys plus the Professionals.

Yes, love the Pet Shop Boys' music.

Sparklefizz

Terrific opening number!!

Great colour contrast with the silver costumes. Staging at Blackpool brings out the best.

Chris is fantastic. I always shed some tears when I see what he manages to do.

I loved Chris as well.

Wow! Wow! W O W! Sarah & Vito! What a routine !

Brilliant Sarah and Vito.

I didn’t like that CC from Sarah and Vito.

I enjoyed that Charlston with Wynne and Katya.

Feel sorry for Pete - rubbish music and rubbish choreography.

Crikey - those pink trousers were the bomb.

Those pink trousers! Wowsers!