SCD19#2 — Last Partnerships Formed, Training Begins and the First Live Show

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

First thread here.

I did hear that the Houghs had a terrible time living with Shirley, and that they are no contact now

I am wondering if Alex/Neil is so much of a dream pairing that it might make the contest a bit unexciting in that sense? She's a footballer, in a time when women's football is suddenly catching the public imagination, she looks as if she can dance, and Neil is a popular character who has been on the bench for SO long that he will get massive support now he's finally got a celeb. Add to that the outrage when Katya cheated on him last year...

I can't see anyone else in with a shout really

It's really hard to predict who will capture the public favour

No one would've said Stacey last year

And look at the state of Hollins!

Never recovered from it

I still sometimes shout WHY into the night

Remember what we all said about Victoria Pendleton though?

Sometimes these athletes are terrible though.

Stomp, Stomp, Stomp.

Sorry for dumping the unpilf comment then running away. I've been on 3 days of no sleep and it caught up with me. Glad chessie explained for me

I think our Shirl is fab on the panel. I feel like a right baggage but I'm not sure about Motsi. I hope she proves me wrong.

I would - and I'm prepared for the kicking, albeit in sequinned sandals -. have preferred James Jordan.

[gliterball] back later when I can watch the rest

Hello, I'm new to the thread but have lurked on the last couple, on and off.

Neil is a popular character who has been on the bench for SO long that he will get massive support now he's finally got a celeb. Add to that the outrage when Katya cheated on him last year...

Can anyone explain why Neil is popular?Am I the only person who isn't glad about him having a bigger part in the show? I found his supposedly funny bits on ITT last year cringy, and I don't really know why, but I just don't really warm to him .

Personally I'm quite keen to see Neil have a chance to dance properly with a partner.

I also found the ITT stuff cringe plus I'm not exactly sure there was cheating it just looks like cheating on paper... so to speak....

I think he's well liked behind the scenes and has been a reliable and cheerful worker. I think people respect him.

And then when the shit hit the fan last year, people felt sorry for him.

I don't watch ITT so I've never even heard him talk. If he has some personality I'll be happy enough.

I don't get the Neil love either. When he was a backing dancer he was always trying to muscle in on the backstage bit.

I like Amy and I’m chuffed they’ve given her a young bloke rather than the old codgers she usually gets.

Me too Artie! I thought I sensed some reluctance from the celeb he was paired with - I need to rewatch!
I'm concerned he might throw himself into the spotlight to the detriment of his partner. I thought he was a bit like this in the Christmas special. Outdancing your partner is never a good look
I hope the producers don't encourage his alter ego in the VTs/comedy skits...

I'm really surprised the producers wanted Tamara Ecclestone. What's she known for other than being a rich socialite with dodgy taste in men (or was that her sister)?!

Loving the vintage gossip 100percent - do you have any more??

Amy is such a delight. Her reaction was adorable. Love her.

I can't stand Neil either, he irritates the hell out of me and the so-called comedy spoofs on ITT were just cringe worthy.
Apparently though, he's one of the best dancers and choreographers around

Anneka has confirmed she wasn’t in the group dance, apparently she had a shoulder injury and wasn’t allowed to dance

Numbers I love James Jordan's unofficial judging on Twitter. He's actually very fair and technical. I think he'd definitely put the other 3 judges' noses out of joint and didn't him and Ola have a spectacular tiff with KFG, his sister and Karen when they arrived on the show? Not sure his judging would be impartial 😂

I have my suspicions about the Neil/Katya marriage. Nevertheless it had to be humiliating for him if not from a romantic perspective and it wasn't a good look for Katya or the comedian in a relationship.

I don't get the Neil love either. When he was a backing dancer he was always trying to muscle in on the backstage bit.

You see, I'm the opposite. I don't get the Neil hate. He has several champion titles to his name and he has been involved in a lot of the choreography with Katya and behind the scenes. I think it will be interesting to see him with a contestant for a change

What annoys me more is that people are blaming Neil for Gorka not being on this year. We don't know the precise reason why Gorka has been benched but height was one of the reasons cited. I absolutely love watching Gorka dance and one of his best dances was the one he did with Oksana back in 2016. However, he has been out early on 2 seasons and the only time he did get in the final, people were willing him and Alex to be voted off. Neil has been benched for 3 years now and I think it's fair to give him a go.

Personally, I would have preferred to have Kevin benched. I'm sure we'll see plenty of Gorka in the group dances though, just like we saw Johannes last year in many of them. I am pleased that Johannes has got a celeb this year.

I'm not keen on Neil either. He's always seems To be trying hogging the camera on Claudia's bits. He's got the same cringey, show off vibe as Kevin. hes going to be all over the 'fun' VTs.

I'm another who doesn't like Neil - I also think he tries to hog the camera and just comes across as annoying generally. Much prefer Gorka and even the bloke with the long hair who's also been benched. I know it's mean to say, but I also think that he's not good looking at all and a woman of his calibre of looks would never even get to be a back up dancer, never mind on the main show, so it pisses me off when ugly men get on TV but all the women have to look stunning.

Agree re JJ being a judge - would love him to replace Bruno as I think he's definitely had his day!

Never heard of any issues between the Houghs and Shirley - any more info on that? Mark always seemed best friends with Derek too, so never thought of anything negative at all.

This is what I was thinking of :

www.accessonline.com/articles/julianne-hough-reveals-childhood-abuse-growing-up-in-london-school-abroad-responds-127615

The school statement says it was the ballroom people not them or between the lines does

I don't think it's his looks (good or otherwise), but more the fact he's been world professional Latin champion...

Britain hasn't had that many dancers win that kind of title recently, so I think it's quite nice to have them, and not another mambo champion.

The ballroom and Latin world is strange — I got into it older, so didn't have the full experience, but up to age twelve it's all "skirts no more than 5 cm above the knee, and white ankle socks", then after that you're suddenly trying to hold your own against 16 year olds.

I think also, for me, one of the things that puts me off Neil is that I've seen a few photos of him posing and trying to look 'sexy' and I don't think he is at all - like if KFG tries to be sexy.