Strictly '22 Thread 5 — Grab your popcorn and snuggle up with Neil in the back row of the cinema...

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Previous thread here

As always, a reminder that this is a SPOILER-FREE THREAD, so please don't comment on the result before the result show.

Perhaps we should be happy Gio was a little more restrained, imagine Richie with someone like Janette.

She would have been great with him.

I don't mean negativity towards Richie, I actually get for him because I felt like his personality didn't match Gio and I didn't feel he get comfortable! He seemed very different from the launch to just now!
I just didn't like them as a couple

Doesn't Gio have to go on tour with Richie now?

You know what, it's a light entertainment show. The pros are pros and get on with who they're paired with. That's their job. I don't find any celebrity or judge to be problematic, I'm just enjoying the dancing.

I knew nothing about Ritchie before the show, I read lots of negative comments on here about him before it started but I have to say I warmed to him a bit during his time on the show. Not a great dancer obviously but seems like a nice enough chap!

Phew - I've just watched on iplayer.

I nearly voted for Fleur but I thought she would be safe. So maybe I won't make that mistake again where she's concerned.

There were so many good dances to vote for that it's a dangerous time for the middle of the table.

My faves so far: Helen, Tyler, Ellie S, Molly, Fleur. I loved Kym's charleston and I think Katya did a brilliant job creating that dance for Tony, and he completely pulled it off.

I don't think Gio was uncomfortable but I think he's fallen victim to his public image of a ladies man, he's great at selling the idea of romance and chemistry. I think a big chunk of his fan base enjoys the idea of him as a red blooded Italian and obviously he can't play upon that in the pairing with Richie so it may seem like they don't gel. Also Richie seems like a bit of a marmite character, I think many people decided they just didn't like him based on his personality.

I don't think he was that bothered. After all, he spent years running around in public wearing shorts that were roughly the same length as what he was wearing under his trousers.

Lots of them don't. Susan Calman didn't want a female partner, for instance.

I was surprised that Fleur was in the DO, had expected it to be Ellie T & Richie. I'm glad Richie has gone but will miss Gio.

Thought Tony was great - so entertaining and do love how Katya gets the best out of her celebrity without turning them into jokes (like Anton used to do) & her choreography is fab.

I'm loving Anton as a judge, which is funny as I really didn't like him as a pro specifically because of him making all his partners joke acts, but he's fantastic as a judge.

Agree with whoever said that Erin Boag would make a great judge - would love to see her on the panel. Either her or Karen Hardy.

No she really really wanted KFG for some reason.

Ballroom dancing is based on gender roles. It doesn't work well with same sex couples. It's also just dancing so why should you need a same sex partner just because you are gay? Pro ballroom dancers still dance in mixed sex couples, plus men are still taller more muscular and stronger than women on average regardless of their sexuality. Strictly is moving more and more away from ballroom though. Soon they'll all be line dancing

NooNakedJacuzziness · Yesterday 20:17
It's never too early for a balls up from Shirley. Bring back Arlene (hell bring back Alisha even).

I’d love Arlene back and, oh, for the quiet dignity of Darcy Bussell. I think both Motsi and Shirley should go. I’m tired of all the screeching and jumping out of their seats, they give everything a standing ovation so it doesn’t really mean anything, just makes the place look untidy. They remind me of a couple of middle aged secondary school teachers trying too hard to get down with the kids and be popular. Super cringe. Shirley takes against at least one of the female contestants every year and I wasn’t surprised when she said she’d have saved Richie Gio even though Fleur’s dance/dancing was way better.

GrouchyKiwi · Yesterday 19:31
That is so not deserved. Bad British Public.

Not bad British public, we’re not voting people off and it’s always a bit of a lottery in the early weeks. I nearly voted for Fleur and Hamza because I really like their pairings and enjoyed the dances, but in the end I voted for Helen and Tyler because I enjoyed their dances more (Tony was my third). Plenty have landed in the DO then got to the final- and won, in Abby Clancy’s case.

Am I alone in liking James and Amy? He won’t get very far but he’s so good natured I can’t help warming to him.

Novum · Yesterday 23:06
nomdegrrr1 · Yesterday 08:42
I am probably off, but Tony Adams looked quite uncomfortable being exposed last night. He covered up really quickly at the end (and he's in good shape!) He seemed to take a real breath for courage before losing his trousers.

... I don't think he was that bothered. After all, he spent years running around in public wearing shorts that were roughly the same length as what he was wearing under his trousers.

True, but he definitely pulled his jacket on a bit sharpish 😄

but Tony is a man in his 50s, i believe he didnt want to show off his chest

Just watching on iPlayer, I wish they'd get rid of Tess , she really can't pitch the tone right, when she's speaking to Fleur it sounds so false and as if she's telling her that her puppy has 2 weeks to live rather than just being in a dance off.

Agree @Vapeyvapevape she looks great and seems a nice person but doesn’t add anything.

I also find Tess awful! It especially grates when she repeats a phrase one of the judges have used as if the contestants weren't listening!!

And I thought Anton was a bit rude when he said he felt sorry for Katya and he knew how she felt (to have an awful partner). However you can see Tony is putting lots of effort in and remembering the routine snd steps even if the technique isn't there. Some previous really awful contestants Ann Widecombe looked as if they were just walking through the routine

I was surprised that Richie went and neither he or Fleur deserved to be in the dance off.

Fizbosshoes · Today 07:37
I was surprised that Richie went and neither he or Fleur deserved to be in the dance off.

I think Richie did, based solely on this week’s performance. Up to now he’s been pretty good, but I guess it only takes one bad week to send you home. Same thing happened a few years ago with Aston and Janette and I’m still not over it

Sequins
Thanks for all the vids. Especially loved Vincent and Dani’s waltz. So good, so Strictly as it used to be.

I think Tony is struggling with being the joke contestant. I'd like to see the judges acknowledge how hard he's worked and how much he's learned before he leaves.

Erin or Karen H would be great.
I didn’t rate Darcey as a judge tbh, despite the fact that she was a former ballerina

It's a shame that at the same time the BBC are being more inclusive with same sex partnerships, they are allowing Shirley to be quite spiteful to women contestants, they've moved forward in one way but backwards in another.