Strictly Come Dancing 2015

Interesting info Wilma. Hadn't realised he was so difficult to manage for the producers -mind you I'm not exactly a fan of the current producers!

Yes, he had keyhole surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm last month, so Claudia is doing the Christmas special. I hope Bruce makes a full recovery and wish him well, but I am so glad he's not doing the Christmas special. I used to feel he was part of the furniture when it came to the show and he'd retire when the time was right. But then he didn't. I think he stayed a couple of years too long and I went off him a bit.

It's well known he's a nightmare to work with because he won't wear an ear piece like most presenters these days and struggles to read the autocue because he won't wear his glasses. On a live show the producers talk to the presenters all the time so the show doesn't over run, so Bruce's vanity meant a lot of pressure on Tess to keep the show running smoothly. Bruce still thinks of himself as a big star and expects everyone to treat him like one. He doesn't like to reminded of how long ago some of his hit shows were popular. He was very good with the Strictly audience though before the live show started, posing for photos and the like.

I love the partnership Claudia and Tess have on the show and this year they've really settled into their roles. Claudia's daft jokes and messing about is popular with children and I think that's nice on a family show. Tess taking the lead works well too for me and I like the fact that she's no longer the Anthea Redfern of Strictly.

Of course, it's great to see the BBC's flagship show being presented by two intelligent women.

Brucie had an operation for an aortic aneurysm.

Aw. I love Brucie and Claudia! All good dancers left so will probably be a popularity contest.

I wondered whether Jay has some sort of disorder. He doesn't seem to respond to things in the same way as most people do - very blank - and the remark about the little boy demonstrates a lack of understanding of what is socially acceptable (though some people have said it's a well known saying where he comes from - is that true?). I think he is a beautiful dancer - and my favourite - but I had not been aware that he's had previous training. I didn't realise that that was allowed. It doesn't seem fair.

I love the modern take on ballroom dancing. I expect a lot of you will remember the old Come Dancing and how absolutely tedious it was (in my opinion anyway).

Ana he will I think be recovering from surgery. Though I don't know what for.

Yes petra I was very pleased to hear that. This is the first series I've watched on a regular basis due to the dreaded Brucie

Same here. And he'd have been even more over-excited and unbearable after being away for so long...still, I hope he's not seriously ill.

That to me, was the best news ever. I am not a fan of Claudia but I could not stand Bruce, even with the sound turned down.

I was very sorry to read that yesterday, I may be in the minority, but I love Brucie, can`t stand Claudia.

And now for the good news ( puts hard hat on ) Bruce Forsyth won't be spoiling the Xmas show, yeh!!!!

annodomini Ramps and Karen's AT is my all time favourite.

NotTooOld he's definitely not mentally challenged no matter how you put it!

I know what you mean about Katie though and I do so want Anton to make the final. Kellie's very hard working and when you think she works all day at Eastenders and has a child at home - but I'm not drawn to her.

It's going to be hard to choose from now on.

petra -

Mmm - Mark Ramprakash. Wow. I saw him at Watford Station once - swoon (silly old Grandma). Did he end up divorced after he won Strictly? What is he doing now? Wilma will know.

Anyway, I agree about Jay. Is he mentally challenged, do you think? I expect there is a more PC way of putting that but I do wonder.

Also agree about Katie. Would be great if Anton got through to the final but Katie is so.........so..........annoying.

I was amazed that Kellie was in the dreaded dance off this week. She is so versatile and I think she deserves to win. Would be good for Kevin too. I like him -he's always cheerful and smiling.

At least jays partner has stopped clinging to him like a limpet to a rock. It almost got to the stage where I wanted to shout "Get a room" and yes, I do know she's married.

I heartily agree anno. Anita was sorely undermarked for her Paso in Blackpool. She's had no early dance training and has turned into a beautiful dancer. I hope she wins but fear she wont.

Right from the start, I've wanted Anita to win. She started from scratch as a non-dancer and has shown real aptitude. Karen Harvey, on ITT commented that she considered that Anita had been under-marked by the judges and I agree. When she did that excellent Paso, she was first to dance and although they gave her staggeringly good comments and good scores, other dancers, who came after her, got better scores. I wish Karen Hardy was one of the judges. She has far greater expertise in ballroom and Latin than Darcy. Do you remember the Argentine Tango she danced with Mark Ramprakash? It was magnificent.

I loved his Tango last Saturday, but I don't see much difference in his facial expressions when he's dancing from week to week. Watching him on ITT, he is much more relaxed than when we first saw him. He does laugh and join in the banter, but if you only watch at the weekend, he doesn't come over that well. I think he's naturally shy and despite being a member of a successful boy band, a bit young or immature for his age. He was in The Wanted from age 19 to 24 (he's 25 now) and the band toured all the time, so the group members would have been watched like hawks to make sure there was no bad publicity. He did talk about his ex, so he's had a girlfriend!

Like Gillbob I don't much like Helen - not sure what it is - but she is an amazing dancer.
Katie is brilliant too, but I just can't stand her sickly, gooey 'faces'
I like Jay; he has improved immeasurably but has blotted his copybook - silly boy.
Kelly and Georgia are well on the way to No.1, but I really hope it will be Anita - she's the tops for me! I wouldn't like to have to judge - but it's probably a foregone conclusion anyway ......

I do not care what the judges say but to me, his facial expression rarely changes. Does he know how to laugh?

I find jay odd to watch. He's almost robotic, no emotion going on. I don't think he's capable of real joy, ie when he's done a brilliant dance and gets high praise from everyone.

Jay is amazingly popular. He has a huge following of Jaypets, as they're called - probably mainly young girls. The other message board I'm on has a poll every week for the favourite dancer and he's getting between 50%-60% of the votes. Admittedly only about 500 posters vote, but he's way out in front every week. I thought his Tango was brilliant and on ITT he always seems lovely, but I will never vote for him. I still don't think he should be on the show with the amount of training he's had.

I voted for Georgia, Helen and Anita this week. The Viennese Waltz is my favourite dance and I thought Helen & Aljaz were just wonderful. Her dress was beautiful, At Last was a perfect song choice and the bit at the start in black and white gave me goosebumps!

Wonder who'll be in the DO next?

I`ve never been able to take to Jay for some reason. I`d love Anita to win, for a complete non-dancer, she`s done brilliantly well.

I cannot put a finger on it but I do not and have never liked Jay. It has not helped that he has had 6 years of dance training whereas somebody like Anita Rani has has zilch.

She does look like a "dolly" Teetime . A sort of dancing Barbie.

I'm not sure I like her, she always seems so over the top sickly sweet.

I was very suprised that Jay stayed in the popularity contest this week after his recent bad publicity.

I agree Jane10 and also about Helen's acting but she did look as though she was genuinely loving it. My BIL is in love with her- he says she is a dolly.