Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How good are the Strictly professionals?

70 replies

LoyaltyBonus · 12/10/2019 20:36

In terms of professional dancers, are they right at the top of their game?

And are they all roughly of the same ability? If not who are the most technically able?

Or do they have to dumb down so much to dance with the celebs that you wouldn't know?

I think there's one who stands out as a cut above the rest but I'll admit I know nothing about dance that I haven't learned from Strictly Grin

OP posts:
BobLobLawLLB · 12/10/2019 20:40

They all seem to be champions in their field. I think Oti is the best.

ChicCroissant · 12/10/2019 20:43

In the first couple of series, some of the professionals were still competing and they used to do a couple of shows in Blackpool as the pros would be there anyway. One of the celebs watched their professional compete and said they couldn't believe how fast their feet moved and how much they must dial it down to dance with them!

Having said that, the standard of dancing in the celebs now is way higher than it was mostly

Neil and Johannes are technically excellent IMO which isn't worth much

xsquared · 12/10/2019 20:43

Neil and Katya have been international in Latin and Ballroom multiple times. I read that they were overall 6th in the world. They have a dancing school too.

I think the least "qualified" pros are Karen and Janette who were contestants on So you think you can dance?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

TV
xsquared · 12/10/2019 20:44

Meant to say International Champions in Latin and Ballroom.

TheRobinIsBobbingAlong · 12/10/2019 20:46

Vincent and Flavia (no longer on the show) were my favourites. They were technically excellent.

ChicCroissant · 12/10/2019 20:48

SYTYCD was a starting point for a lot of Strictly professionals - Janette, Iveta, Anya & Pasha have all been on it. I think Artem as well?

missmouse101 · 12/10/2019 21:27

Ooh! Would love to know!

Berthatydfil · 12/10/2019 21:31

Any and her partner (fiancé) have competed at a high level too.

becca3210 · 12/10/2019 21:32

A dance teacher I know says Neil is technically the best male.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 12/10/2019 21:35

Neil for the boys and Oti for the girls IMO her choreography is amazing

FenellaMaxwell · 12/10/2019 21:42

They’re extremely good. Any Dowden is the current British Latin champion. Neil Jones has been British, European and World Champion. Johannes and Oti have been South African champions. Kevin Clifton was the Youth World number 1 and adult World no 7 at the time he stopped competing. AJ was European Youth Latin champion.

LoveNote · 12/10/2019 21:43

Depends.... some are better at Latin than modern, but yes they have to dumb it down massively. The techical content is based on steps dancers would need for the rosette/medal system run by IDTA. Basic steps with a hell of a lot of showmanship and elaboration in between. Makes a mockery of dancing if I’m honest.

Neil stands out to us

My dad is a pro and had his own school but says it’s frowned upon in the dancing world to be involved with strictly ( even though he’s been involved with baby ballroom!)

LoveNote · 12/10/2019 21:44

becca maybe you know my dad then!!

BarbarAnna · 12/10/2019 21:46

Fascinating thread. This is the sort of thing I love to understand.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 12/10/2019 22:11

One of DS’s best friends is on baby ballroom-a great little mover! Look forward to when he’s on strictly in a decade or so!

Original poster
LoyaltyBonus · 12/10/2019 22:12

It's AJ I think stands out but maybe that's because he's more "obvious" and perhaps that's not a good thing?

OP posts:
cometothinkofit · 12/10/2019 22:16

I do wish they'd all stop the pretence of knowing anything about contemporary though.

LoveNote · 12/10/2019 22:22

A lot of dancing is based on the footwork. The cameras focus on all the silly extras they throw in and cut off the footwork angles

And the music, in effort to fit in with a theme is so off.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 12/10/2019 22:35

Some of them are amazing choreographers and will show off their partners to their best. I rate these pros most highly

TwistinMyMelon · 12/10/2019 22:46

Neil is just not sexy though is he?

LoveNote · 12/10/2019 22:48

twistin being sexy is not a dancing element or requirement though

And why isn’t he? Isn’t that a personal preference?

ManonBlackbeak · 12/10/2019 23:00

Neil, Katya and Nadiya are former world champions so they are technically the best I'd imagine?

Stravapalava · 12/10/2019 23:02

I always thought Pasha was very very good. He made it look effortless, kind of reminded me of Gene Kelly.

Disclaimer: I'm not and never have been a dancer, so happy to be told actually he's rubbish!

ManonBlackbeak · 12/10/2019 23:04

Years ago I used to love Matthew Cutler. And yes, Flavia and Vincent were amazing.

Fraggling · 12/10/2019 23:16

They need to not just be really good dancers across a range of dance styles

But also
Be able to quickly build a relationship that includes trust and the other person listening
Coreograpgh
Dance with people who have never done it before and keep at it
Work with people who may not be easy going (I'm not famous but imagine some can be difficult)

And finally

Make them look as good as possible even if it means you look a bit crap

I only watch it sometimes but it's impressive. Especially the ones who are teamed with the ones who are shit at dancing.

On their side they get national exposure and sure well paid etc