Strictly 2025 : Week 9. Grab some Rock and get in the Rollercoaster queue. It’s Blackpool. 18.45PM NO SPOILERS

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

I will link the other threads in a moment. Thanks.

Yes, that would have been a good thing to show on this sort of occasion.

Please no. He can only ever dance as Neal. And never has any sort of rapport with anyone - not even the pro dancers.

I enjoyed the whole no elimination, no pressure Blackpool weekend. I wish in future they’d make every Blackpool a free pass for everyone. If nobody had to withdraw due to injury or whatever all series, we could be left with a 4 person final sometimes, which I think has happened before, and one free week greatly reduces the chance of the dreaded 2 person final, which is always a bit lacking.

Me too.

Why do you think that?

I guess the problem is if she hasn't continued dance training she wouldn't be able to it justice. What a non dancer can do on the back of three months intensive training is very different to what they would do when the haven't trained/practiced for years so it would probably be a huge disappointment.

I think that's actually a really good idea 💡

Because it is my opinion after having watched him week after week, year after year. For example, when they did the halloween dance with the pros, I only realised that Nikita was the main dancer as I saw his diabetes patch. With Neil, I never have any issue recognising him. He does not appear to have any depth when he speaks about the partners he dances with. No connection. He is no longer instantly forgettable (which would be better). He just appears to be Neil, interested only in Neil, trying to put himself centre stage at every opportunity. He just drives me mad. I guess we all have our favourites and the no so favourites.

Lucky dip for the instant dance they'll be doing next week.

Of course you’re entitled to your opinion, but I can’t agree about him putting himself centre stage at every opportunity when so many of the other dancers are so much pushier about getting in shot. Neil’s always come in for a bit of a bashing on these threads, but he’s a good choreographer, and still around after all these years, so I’m guessing he’s fairly well thought of behind the scenes.

I didn’t understand why they had to fish out an envelope with their name on, just to sign it and deposit it in another box. Filler? They weren’t choosing anything as the envelopes were already named.

Will just one couple be picked for the lucky dip next week? Seems a bit unfair to potentially add so many marks to their score.

Yes, I agree. I've no idea why he comes in for so much negativity.

No they will all have to do it.

Thank you.

For all the reasons @m00rfarmsaid - he comes across as completely self absorbed and is never able to get the best from his partner - Alex Scott being the perfect example of how much better she was when Neil was ill & she partnered with Kevin.

Right. Well I've certainly never seen that aspect of him.

I forgot to ask yesterday did anyone else think Steps had been joined by half of Jedward before realising it was H?

I don’t know how you’ve missed it! He always makes himself front & centre in the Clauditorium, which I find very irritating. To be fair though, him not getting the best out of his partners bothers me so much more & is why I’m always glad when he’s not assigned a celebrity (although this year Bal’s partner is giving him a run for his money in that regard!)

When I first saw him I thought he’d put on a lot of weight. Then I realised he was wearing a shirt with what seemed to be inflatable sleeves 🤣

It was certainly what my dear Granny would have called 'a choice'.

I thought he looked like that David Bowie clown but, you know, on biscuits instead of heroin.

No. He doesn't dominate in the Clauditorium. I've hardly noticed him, but then he doesn't really bother me. I'm just interested in the dancing and the couple who have just performed.

No. He doesn’t dominate in the Clauditorium.

He absolutely does try to. He is always trying to get on camera. Lots of posters have said this over a period of years