To kind of love Ed Balls on Strictly

[Egoanono]

He's thrown himself into it and has proved himself a real trooper. I find him quite compulsive viewing. Well done Ed.

[HalloToJasonIsaacs]

I like Ed but I do wish he'd wear longer polo shirts for training footage. They ride up and display stuff that nobody needs to see.

[RedPaint37]

let's face it, he's not in any sort of shape either, I admire his chutzpah.

[raisedbyguineapigs]

Not just a fan, club chairman! My Twitter feed from the local paper always says 'Norwich City Chairman Ed Balls...' Normally he's entertaining but this week was terrible. But I feel like he should have a chance as he's going from a cold start with no dance training and he's taking it really seriously whereas many of the others are performers at the very least and some trained dancers.

[croon979]

I was determined not to like him, I am not a fan of his politics.... but I actually love him! He has come across as very likeable, a laugh, a nice man. Very entertaining.

[DrDreReturns]

YABU - as pp said he's a dick and ... he's a Norwich fan. Boo hiss! (Ipswich fan here)

[HalloToJasonIsaacs]

He's not normally this bad, but he pretty much forgot the entire routine this week. Poor Katya was dancing with clenched teeth.

The answer to the Will Young question is that right at the top of the show they said (something like) Tess: Last week Tameka and Gorka went home. As you've probably heard we also lost another celebrity last week as Will Young withdrew from the competition for personal reasons.
Claudia (sincerely and warmly): If you're watching Will, we wish you all the best.
Tess (in the manner that shows you why Claudia was given the other bit): Yes, all the best Will

[honeyroar]

We watched Strictly for the first time tonight. Trying? I didn't think he was trying at all, apart from trying to be the wooden old man of the series. But he's not that old, is he?? Bin him, he's rubbish.

[IncidentalAnarchist]

YANBU.
Highlight of my weekend

[FucksSakeSusan]

I'm pretty sure we're all watching a man having some sort of mid life crisis/breakdown.

[cardibach]

He's really bad, and I disagree with the PP who says he seems normal. He's embarrassingly awful in the interview bits too. Should have gone by now. 'Trying hard' is not a reason to keep him in.

[dementedma]

He was awful tonight but he's a real trier!!

[WinterIsHereJon]

He's a terrible dancer but you can't help but enjoy it. I just love strictly though!

[LuluJakey1]

Oti is the best of the female professionals this year I think. She and Danny Mac (whoever he is) were great tonight and she looked amazing in the silver lace dress.

[Lilaclily]

I agree lulu , and I didn't like the song she was dancing to , the whole thing was dull

[OrangeSquashTallGlass]

YABU. He's a dick.

[LuluJakey1]

Never been much of an Ed Balls fan but I have liked hm on SCD. He isn't scared to have a go and has appeared much less pugnacious.

Why do the judges and the awful Tess drool over Louise Redknapp? Tonight she wasn't good- hands were all over, it was the female equivalent of 'dad-dancing' but they just cosy up to her and flatter her.

Like Claudia but just can't bear Tess- the over-emphasised northerness and grating voice and unfunny comments. The BBC really could do better.

[Lilaclily]

Can't be bothered to wade through other scd thread to find out but did they mention will young at the start of the show?

[TrishanFlips]

I like him too because he is trying so hard. Hope he stays for a bit longer.

[Peanutbutterfingers]

I'm with you, I love him, have you seen the Facebook video where he's talking spray tans? He's actually funny and trying really hard to do something new. Unlike Danny 'Ringer' Mac

[dingit]

Yanbu

Me and Dd liked him

[Oldbutstillgotit]

I have had a dreadful day but he made me smile for the first time .

[TondelayaDellaVentamiglia]

oh dearie dearie me...I am about ten minutes behind

he is like some unholy alliance between Shrek and Charming...I cannot take my eyes off him!


he tries soooooo hard though.

[Egoanono]

Although I think it's mainly that I love the Charlston. Just watching Naga's dance. Such fun!

[OatcakeCravings]

YABU, he's bad