Strictly 2025 : The Final Countdown. Week 12. 18.35. NO SPOILERS ON THIS THREAD PLEASE!

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Afternoon all, extra spoiler warning in place!

She doesn't get "hate" she gets criticism.
If you see hate, report it.

I don’t always like Motsi’s dresses, but she always looks incredible in them.

That is the whole idea of a couples choice dance - and any dance come to that. Look how good I am! No one dances with an 'I'll be rubbish today' attitude. Fair play to her - she was asked to do the show - who the heck would turn it down?

I've bought tickets to see her in Legally Blonde that's touring next year - I bet she'll be amazing!

It was just a show dance really. She can only do what she's given. It can't be much fun knowing you've no chance of winning the final.

I loved Lewis and Leyton and thought the nasty comments were unnecessary.

Anyone would think Amber just barged on to the show without being asked and demanded to be in this year's series.

im sure she will. and i think she is a fab performer, and absolutely deserves to be lauded on stage.

I just don't think she should have been on strictly, and saying that isn't 'hate' at all.

I saw her in 9 to 5 The Musical - she was fantastic.
She's also just finished a run in The Great Gatsby, which had fantastic reviews.
Legally Blonde should be great.

I don’t see how that’s got anything to do with it as I’m basing my comment purely on what you’re saying about Amber.

Would you have said the same thing about Lewis? (using your approach to this)

I do think she’s getting unnecessary hatred directed towards her. I don’t see how she was showing off, she was just dancing and if anything, it wasn’t as good as how she danced first time around.

Would i have said the same about Lewis? yes. and i did.

I've been re-watching Lewis'. Amber danced hers impeccably in technique, but it was quite conservative. She's neat and precise, but that doesn't necessarily mean highly entertaining. George's charleston had more entertainment value to me, it was more distinctive and memorable although can be critiqued more harshly.

Exactly. Let's not diminish the word "hate".
Sadly, today, we have seen what actual hate does. 😔

I actually think the post before your edit is more correct, there are a significant number of racists who genuinely believe that they get to decide how non-white women act, dress, speak etc and are most put out when they realise non-white women can do as they please.

George will be getting all my votes next week regardless. He's the only person left who was an absolute beginner who'd never danced a step in his life.

Even the judges said 'it's about the journey'

What journey has Amber been on?

I think Strictly needs to clarify what kind of competition it is aiming to be. Are we judging it on “journeys” of complete novices, or those with dancing ability and talent? Because as a viewer, I am very confused.

I agree. She was asked to do it. Celebs do it because they want to raise their profile and/or because they love the show. The ringers never win ( despite being the best dancers so its just nice, especially at the beginning to get some good dancing. Its so hard to draw a line on who has too much dance experience when most performers will have done some dance at drama school. I'd rather have some already good dancers because its just more enjoyable.

i’m more swayed by the music and entertainment value- my favourite dances yesterday were Karen’s two and George’s second one. Amber is obviously a much better dancer though. Loved her dance last week.

I really dislike leyton

I think it’s up to each viewer how they want to vote. I just vote for who I prefer and who makes me feel something when I watch them - sometimes ringers, sometimes not. Other people might vote using different criteria and I don’t think there’s a right or wrong choice.

But, again, she did NOT ask to be on Strictly. They asked her. She came in at very short notice and gave us a good first dance with only a couple of days practice. If a complete novice had done that they would have almost certainly been pretty awful. Or they could have not bothered to get a replacement and we would not have had Nikita this year which would have been a real shame

Amber’s dance was sublime, but I can see why people don’t like the fact she can already dance etc etc.
If it was totally full of complete novices , people would still moan.
you can’t win.

I suspect Amber and George's showdances will involve a lot of flinging around. I'm looking forward to Karen's. Still a bit gutted that we'll never see Lewis'!

@dapsnotplimsolls I'm still not over not seeing Kai and AJ's show dance from 4 years ago!
It would have been spectacular.

Disapproval of a dancer with Amber’s experience being on the show is very different from disapproval of Amber herself.
Any criticism of her inclusion should be directed at whoever asked her to be in the show. Was she supposed to turn it down, and why would she?

I know! That's why I was supporting George from the start because he reminded me a bit of AJ - no training but natural talent. He hasn't really lived up to it though.

I feel the same re George @dapsnotplimsolls
I had really high hopes for him too, but the last 3 weeks have been pretty forgettable.
Lewis should have stayed over him (I know they weren’t in a DO together).
AJ was just wow from her Week 1 Jive.
I looked forward to her dances every week, (and not just for the Kai factor @AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta 😅)
She literally loved every minute of it, and it showed.
I wish they would do a Strictly All Stars and bring her back.