Strictly Come Dancing 2011 (3) Altogether now "T-A-N-G-O"

[CaveMum]

[sweeps into a contra-check]

New thread, mark your places for tonight's show

I assumed that at first too, CaveMum, but the exchange was quick and the background noise from the audience who boo and groan annoyingly at the first hint of a negative (or even not glowingly positive) comment, made it hard to be sure.

He definitely said 'don't start Aliona, you've got a nasty way about you'

Watched on v+. Rewound it. Although FWIW I think he got himself in a muddle and didn't mean it to be as cutting as that. He looked a bit 'woops' after the words came out.

i watched it too and i would say equally definitely that he said it to harry who was pulling a fake angry 'watch it...' face at the time.

He said, "Don't start Harry" I'm sure. I agree, he doesn't like Aliona's choreography, but that was aimed at Harry.

Len said it to Harry, in an ironic way

Anyway .... it was amazing !! I'm gutted to read the atmosphere didn't come across well - it was just epic, more like a concert than a TV show. Far better atmosphere than last year when I went to the TV studio.

Aitch, heres the order of what happened: (times approximate - wasn't checking watch!)

Take seats at 4.45 (though managed to watch Jessie J & James Morrison rehearse as was next to the glass panelled door)

5.30 Filmed Queen medley/group dance TWICE

6.15 Tess filmed trailer for Saturdays show

6.25 Filmed Il Divo performance (always hated them but am now huge fan. What bloody nice blokes they are)

6.55 Live Show until 8.15

8.15-8.45 Interval (lots of silly fun on the dancefloor with Stuart the warm up man)

8.45 Filmes James Morrison/Jessie J

9.00 Filmed Beatles group dance/medley twice

9.15 Filmed first couple into bottom 2

9.30 Filmed Len's Lens and Claudia talking to first 3 saved couples

9.45 Filmed second couple into bottom 2

10.00 Filmed Claudia speaking to bottom 2 couples

10.15 Filmed "Moment of Truth"

10.20 Show over, most leave

We stayed behind and met and spoke to *and got autographs/photos for my sons)... Robbie Savage, Vincent, Erin, Artem, Kara (in the audience), Ian Waite (audience), Harry, Aliona, Tom & Danny from McFly (audience) and Jason D

We were 21 rows back from the dancefloor and slightly raised so had beautiful view. Incredible atmosphere, really hope they do it again. WOW!

Aw, Pinot, what a lovely ray of sunshine you are this morning - gis a twirl

Good to hear you had a great time. I feel I'm too critical this season. A lot of "Wish they'd stop that" and "I liked it better when" - maybe am just old grump.

ooh no Fid, I'm a grumpy gimmery moaner. I just had such an brill time :) Normal moaning service will be resumed this week :o

Did anyone notice Bruno's moist eyes when he was applauding Il Divo?

Nearly welled up myself actually - the combination of that song and their proper fabulous singing voices was very moving.

Bruno joined them onstage as the "5th member" before they sang :o Was beautiful song :)

Glad you had fun Pinot, I'm very

Boo, I missed last night's show.

Glad to hear the Wembley experience was a good one, Pinot. I guess the venue is so large, it's hard to manage properly for TV, but is perfect for a live gig.

Just to add, I adore Flavia so much I have seriously doubted my sexuality. She's perfect.....shame she and Russell are out but his hilarious-camp-far routines were getting a little bit dull now, daaaaaaaaarlings.

Pinot, I'd love to hear a bit more about what they were like (Kara, Artem, Robbie etc). Any surprises? So pleased you enjoyed it.

I agree that I thought Len's comment was aimed at Harry and was ironic as Harry is the most mild-mannered seeming person.

Pinot, glad you had such a great time (and met Ian Waite!!!). I think the Wembley thing is a conundrum; I agree that watching it on TV was a bit of a damp squib because of the issues with the sheer size of it, as well as issues of filming/sound etc. But I can imagine that it must have been a fantastic experience if you were actually there. I guess it's a case of weighing up what's lost from viewers at home who don't 'get' the atmosphere against the goodwill generated by the experiences of those who were actually there. Plus of course if they made it a charity event every year, and continued to raise loads of money, that's a very strong argument for keeping it.

I don't mind that Russell went ? he was very philosophical about it. I'm happy that he got as far as Wembley though.

Kara was as sweet as anything - she said she felt sick when Artem was in the bottom two, bless her. Artem was really friendly - not laidback like he appears on ITT, gave a lovely photo to my niece.

Umm, Harry was giving hugs to all and sundry and being very sweet and shy but happy to sign, Jason was whooping the crowd up signing left right and centre, whilst Kristina blew kisses. Erin was great - had a big chat with her about Rory and her (amazing) quickstep. I told her I loved it (true) She said she'sdoing the Xmas special with someone short - doing a quickstep. I wonder who it can be? She said about 5'3 ish, same as my niece.

Vincent was brill - asked if I could start a petition for him to get a decent partner next year - I'd said he hasn't had a decent one since Louisa. He was great - kissing fans. Who else? Robbie was busy chatting and signed without looking at us and Aliona was excellent - she's won a fan in my niece, gave her a hug and a photo and I said I think she'll go all the way this year with Harry. She said "Ooh I hope so!"

The loveliest were Erin and Vincent IMO, followed by Kara and Danny & Tom from McFly. Probably because they were less busy and had time for a chat.

Genuinely, none of them disappointed, I'd be the first to moan if they had :o I was a bit hmmmmm about Robbie but I guess it was manic.

I would also say that this time Tess was much more relaxed - last year when I went she was uptight and snooty I thought, this year she was fun and appeared very nice indeed. Thinking about it, the show I went to last year was the first elimination so the first time she'd been the main presenter with Claudia. I guess nerves caused the snootiness.

well, unless she is very nervous i'd disagree with you there... she has always been a snooty cah from what i understand.

sounds like it runs very much like the broadcast show, then. they must be exhausted by the end of it. hope they don't do it again, though, it was shiteola to watch.

I too thought the show on TV was terrrible. Sound appalling, especially the constantly baying crowds, camera work dreadful, dances lacklustre, music beyond words awful, and the hysterical over-excitement of everybody at being cheered by 6000 people all a complete turn-off. Even Craig seemed to have swallowed the Kool-Aid.

It wasn't a television show. It was a live event with cameras.

And doing it for Charideee is no excuse.

(I don't think I'm entitled to a gavel, but if I had one, I'd be bashing it on the desk now.)

Aitch :) Maybe she is a caaahhhhhh

i'll tell you why i think she's a horrible person... (apart from people who have worked/partied with her saying she's a pita). does anyone remember that show Faking It? there was a girl who worked on the 999 lines who was faking it as a tv director, and one of the challenges was to direct Tess on a live show.

as far as she was concerned the girl was one of a bunch of new directors testing out that day, so basically her whole career future hung in the balance, and Tess just acted like a total bootface. (the girl was fucking up, i might add, but a bit of solidarity wouldn't have gone amiss).

look... one hour fifteen in

Erin's possible partner for xmas show = Ronnie Corbett?? he can't be more than 5 ft 3??

Hope not though cause he makes my teeth itch!

Although I detest Aliona if Len DID say that to her/them then I agree it was totally unprofessional, more so than last week's Sodgate. I hope he will be having words from TPTB.

Re crushes - I loved Lillia first off but now it's all Ola... was SO happy to see her in a lovely catsuit this week

PS. Chelsee to win!

casa aitch has backed chelsee from week one as well... we love her. plus, towards the end when they have to learn fast she will be in like flynn.

ach. not one hour fifteen, sorry, more like 55 mins or so.

Chelsee's ace - so light-footed and a genuinely good mover. Like her rabbit-in-the-headlights style as well .

I don't like Chelsee at all. Too sloppy. I know everyone else loves her though.

Yep she is a very fast learner and has natural rthym rhytym ffs rhytym...

She might not be technically perfect but none of the others are either. Have to say that normally by now there's someone who is.