SCD '24 #5: Where we lose our first couple (SPOILER FREE)

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

I've made this a bit early because my dinner is going to be ready just before the end of Strictly and I don't want us to run out of space! Please finish up the other thread first.

First dance off is looming...

Previous thread

Spoiler thread if you like to indulge.

Video thread. Please post videos here to avoid slowing the main thread down.

What again? Just send him home already. At least Toyah is entertaining in a car crash sort of way.

He's on crutches according to the Daily Mail. With an injured arm and leg I suspect he's going to need to withdraw next week.

He doesn't deserve to be sent home for being injured and missing one week. Several celebrities have had to miss a week.

I see he had the Charleston. I wonder if he injured his shoulder again doing lifts.

xpost. Crutches are going to be a challenge if his shoulder isn't 100%!

Sorry, I just don't like all these sleazy middle aged men with their dodgy pasts and multiple marriages. Really want women to go far this time.
Going to have to include Gio in that as his remarks to AA were disgusting. Don't think I will be watching him on Ballando any more.

Ooh dear, poor Nick and poor Luba.

Mathematically, anyone who's thinking of putting a bet on this season should bear in mind that Chris's seemingly inevitable victory is probably contingent upon nobody having to drop out.

I feel the same @Lentilweaver

As long as Pete stays in I’ll be happy lol.
personally I don’t care if a man or woman wins. Just as long as they aren’t a ringer.

They won't be.
The public doesn't like voting for ringers.

Caroline Flack and Jay McGuiness were both ringers…

The ringers this year are Sarah Hadlabd, Tasha and JB.
It's a but too early to predict a winner, but Sarah seems popular on here and having Vito as her pro helps. Those three are likely finalists imo unless 2 of them end up iun a dance off against each other.

isn't it a shame that there is a high chance of those 3 being in the final.
I want to see someone who has no dance experience become good and win. Like Hamza did. not some one like Tasha who is good from the start. bit like last years winner.

Chris will make the final if he keeps doing what he's doing.

Chris and Dianne have been amazing and he has the popular vote, but I don't think that will be enough past a semi final, which is still really good going.

I don't disagree re quality of dancing but whoever he's up against would need to be 'Rose silent dance' level inspirational to have a chance of taking my votes from Chris (& I know a lot of people IRL who feel the same.

I think that Chris might hit a ceiling in the next few weeks and not improve much thereafter. Hopefully I’m wrong.

Im not a fan of ringers but I understand why some on here are.

I agree @TennisWithDeborah I said just that at work the other day.
He must get to where the finer points are too difficult to explain verbally. Although I think a pp said they may use another dancer to help guide him.

I really like Chris and think he is amazing but I don't want him to win just on sympathy votes.

I don't think he will win but, if he does, I want it to be a deserved win

I always vote for the ringers but not enjoying Tasha and Aljaz. Both very bland. Hoping Montell improves.

I doubt I will be voting for Chris as I find Diane's choreo twee.

I am a big fan of Chris and voted for him but I agree he will hit a ceiling. He could surprise like Bill Bailey but I doubt it.

I doubt it will be a three ringer final. One or two of them will turn out be very popular but not all three.

It was nice to see Jamie looking happier and more confident in his ITT interview this week (so did Neil and Toyah).

Chris is currently getting my vote. It isn’t sympathy, it is awe that he can learn to dance whilst not being to see and not having had any experience of seeing/doing these dances in the past. If as time goes on he is very much at a lower level than the other contestants then my vote might change. But he is currently better than some on the dance floor and he seems to have a great partnership with Diane.

Top of my (very long) list of things that annoy me about Strictly (wrong music, bad costumes, faux everything is wonderful and my partner is the best thing ever, bloody floor graphics, theme weeks, Blackpool count down, lack of arm hankies, gusset flashing lifts, faffin' about, benched/knocked out pros gurning when the other are being interviewed, and many more*) but top by a country mile is attempted emotional manipulation, often embodied in the couples choice (which I also hate for the lack of clear judging criteria) so I won't be giving Chris sympathy votes or wanting him to stay because he is blind but so far he is my stand out contestant this year partly because he exceeded my expectations but mostly because he is loving it so I will be voting for him (unless Dianne comes up with a sickly sweet, maukish street dance CC that shows us her pants in which case I will vote elsewhere that week.)

• I do love it really it could just be soooo much better.

I'm hoping for a Montell win this year. I think she's got loads of potential, she's gorgeous, great personality, and it's such an excellent partnership with Johannes. So hopefully she does as well as I expect!

Sarah is my favourite because I love her unreservedly, but I'm happy for someone else to win.

Halloween week is always the absolute worst.

Montell is lovely and so is Sarah.
i am amazed by Chris.

I'm a big fan of Montell too. I worry that she might not make it as far as she should because she's not very well-known.