Strictly 2025

My opinion with Layton and his musical theatre background was that doing the same dance every night didn't make you a dancer. I feel the same about Lewis. Certainly it's not like being a dancer.

As regards to a popularity contest, it's about the journey. When people see non-dancers developing, they may want to vote for them.

The competitors are referred to as Professionals and Celebrities, not Amateurs. Both Amber and Lewis were late stand-ins for previously selected competitors. I enjoy Strictly for the high standard and entertainment value of the dancing which has improved so much over the years.
Last night's voting destroyed all that. Back to the lowest common denominator; no appreciation for talent. Just fan club support.
I don't want to watch the remaining two programmes.

But the public has always voted for people based on personality. The best dancers have often failed to win.

Amber has spent her working life in musical theatre so is bound to be good.

Lewis danced hip-hop in 2014 and apparently did a tap routine in 2008 (aged 13) in "Billy Elliot" as Billy's friend. He says he has never trained professionally and it's years since he did the hip hop group. Recently he has only acted it seems if you Google his CV.
I think he could easily have been a dancer - but appears to have chosen acting.

Amber on the other hand has focused recently mainly on musicals where her dance work has been a necessity:
2019 9 to 5: The Musical
]2021–2022 Bring It On: The Musical
2022–2023 Back to the Future: The Musical
2023–2024 Pretty Woman: The Musical
2025 The Great Gatsby
And then next year she's booked to do Legally Blonde

In between she's done "celebrity" work and last year, "Dancing on Ice"

I think neither actor can say they haven't danced before - but Amber is still doing it for a living.

I believe Lewis had also had a lot of dance experience. Neither he nor Amber should be in the competition.

I think Strictly should take a break next year and if it returns, it should run on the Saturday night as it used to when it first started.

I read that Shirley is leaving, the sooner the better.

I don't know who should make the final decision re a winner because the public is useless.

Nannee49

Lewis' elimination has really put me off watching the rest of the series. He is the best dancer by far.

I agree, I think the show will be poorer without him. I just cannot take to Amber or George. I shan't bother to watch next week, but will watch the final. Karen to win now.
The best dancer has gone. Alful result.

Nannee49 I feel the same. It won't be the same without Lewis. Beautiful dancer, lovely lad who adored his family. And Katya's choreography is on another level.

Lewis' elimination has really put me off watching the rest of the series. He is the best dancer by far.

It is a dance competition, not a popularity contest.

But some don't value talent and ability in this country.

Amber was in the dance off because she is thoroughly unlikeable with her fake humility.

Exactly this.
I'd have preferred Lewis to go through.

An appalling result.

Reduced to a popularity contest by those with no appreciation of talent and ability.

Really sad to see Lewis go, I feel the show has lost its spark without him and Katya. I don’t know who I want to win now, maybe George.

So sad for Lewis, he was my favourite from the start. Amber was in the dance off because she is thoroughly unlikeable with her fake humility. I think it would be lovely now for Karen to win. She is brilliant yet humble at the same time.

Poor Katya and she finally had a partner who could really dance.

Calendargirl

^I’m assuming she just didn’t get the public vote^

Well, obviously.

Ouch!

George will win due to his SM following. Gutted for Lewis though.
However we have this scenario every year as it’s a popularity contest not a dance competition.

Gosh, that was not expected. Wonder if it means George will win, as he hasn't been in the dance off?

Grandmabatty

I'm happily surprised that Balvinder is through to the semi final. Sad for Lewis though

My thoughts too. Really sad to see Lewis go and Katya visibly upset too.

I'm happily surprised that Balvinder is through to the semi final. Sad for Lewis though

Allira

I wasn't sure how the voting system worked, combining judges' scores with those of the public, then I found this, a kind of Dummies' Guide to Strictly Voting 😀
It's very helpful.

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zjbhmfr

Here it is.

RosieandherMaw

How can Amber be in the dance- off after 4x10 from the judges?
I’m assuming she just didn’t get the public vote.
Hmm

I think I posted a link to how the votes are worked out.

Somewhere on the thread 🤔

Great to see the contestants with no previous training in the semi-final. Amber is a great dancer but is a professional stage performer.

RosieandherMaw

How can Amber be in the dance- off after 4x10 from the judges?
I’m assuming she just didn’t get the public vote.
Hmm

The public take into account her professional training, and the fact that she has been dancing in musicals in the West End for years. Layton didn't win Strictly one year for the same reason, despite fabulous dancing.

I’m assuming she just didn’t get the public vote

Well, obviously.

Gosh! What a dance off!

How can Amber be in the dance- off after 4x10 from the judges?
I’m assuming she just didn’t get the public vote.
Hmm