Strictly's Back

The thing that has annoyed me throughout the series is the constant references to Debbie's age. Ye Gods! she is only 58, not reached pension age yet. Many of us are 20 years older and still dancing. I was never a great dancer though I loved to dance but my parents, with never a lesson in their lives, used to cause other dancers to stop to admire when they took to the floor - ballroom of course. My big sister still in her 70's goes to dance class weekly, appears with the 'seniors' in the dance class shows and dominates the room when she dances at parties, weddings etc.

AND what about all the oldies who do old time and Country dancing? OK it is a bit more sedate (I'd need at least 2 partners if I had to be lifted and burled about) but lovely to watch.

Glad Joe won in the end because he is so genuine and he looked amazed when the announced his name, no side to him at all. I do think Alexandra was the best dancer and loved watching her. Gemma wasn't in the same league and sorry I can't stand Debbie so glad she didn't win as I feel she expected to, I thiught her conceited.

Joe has danced in musical theatre, but I was voting for him partly because Katya delivered fantastic choreography no matter what music choice they were given. I was also voting for Gemma because she was the journey celeb and a lovely woman (figure to die for). Alijaz is definitely my favourite male pro these days and I get the feeling that he's a great person to be around. Janette is a lucky woman.

Alex was the best dancer and also danced in musical theatre, but quite honestly I think she'd be great at anything she turned her hand to - such a talented and hard working celeb. I've watched Strictly since the very first episode and made real life friends with some of the people I met through a Strictly forum and we all agree Alex has been subjected to far more nastiness and abuse than any other celeb who's done the show - and that's saying something.

Debbie was the one for me whose previous dance experience was too much. grannyactivist has posted about Debbie's experience and the advantages it gives her. I was disappointed that Debbie and Giovani opted to do a ballet performance as their showdance because it felt like a bit of a cop out and didn't show any of what she'd learned. She defended her previous experience by saying it didn't help her with Ballroom and then did a balletic showdance. I think she's a terrific dancer and the whole Strictly experience was good for her. It did get on my nerves in the end the amount of times she mentioned her age. I was waiting for Shirley to say to Debbie that she was only two years younger! One of Paul Daniel's sons has caused a lot of trouble for Debbie since his father died. Apparently he was a problem while Paul was alive and hasn't honoured his father's wishes, even though he said he would. I think she's a lovely person with a core of steel.

I could only watch the final on catch up because we had tickets to see Queen and Adam Lambert. It was our Christmas present this year and it didn't occur to me when we bought the tickets months ago that it would clash with the Strictly final! First time I've missed watching it live! Joe and Katya didn't need my vote after all! ???

Yes Franbern it was too long.
I've been watching the series with my young grandchild. It was too long for her although I enjoyed it.

I think the bookies closed the betting on Joe a few days ago as it was obvious he was going to win from the previous pattern of voting. He’s a good looking man, a charming personality and a great dancer. Women do most of the voting so if there’s a half decent bloke in the final they tend to win. Good luck to him, he’s lovely. I liked Debbie and I think it shows that an older woman, who could be the mum of all of the other contestants, can still maintain that level of beautiful dancing and vigorous training. I’m glad she got to the final I hope it helps in her recovery after bereavement.

I think Joe won for two reasons -he has an attractive personality which goes a long way in a popularity contest, but more importantly, he transformed himself from a non dancer to a dancer during the show.

It was clear that both Debbive and Alexandra were wonderful dancers, but they had had a lot of dance training and experience.

Having said that, I think Debbie deserves a special award for being amazing for her age.

Am I the only one who found the final far too long? I enjoyed he dances, but those could have be done in far less time. Must say I do not bother to vote at all. But, if it is meant to be a dance competition, then perhaps the finals should just be down to the professional judges - that would have made Alexandra the winner. Joe won as the best personality, not the best dancer. To me the best part was that incredible dress change by Catya.

The contestants who are really starting from scratch are the sportsmen and women who often feel self-conscious because the sort of dancing on Strictly involves a lot of theatricals and acting, and the average person could feel a bit silly pretending to be romantic when their husband/wife/parents are in the audience. In one of the video clips, Joe's drama teacher was interviewed and she said he always wanted to be centre stage. That gave him a headstart on Strictly above and beyond, for example, Jonny Peacock, the Para Olympian, or Simon Rimmer, the chef.

I thought this was a dance competition to find the best dancer. I haven't seen any criteria which says it must go to the most improved dancer. The best dancer - Alexandra- no contest!

Well said, TerriBull although, as an actor, I would assume Joe McF has had at least some basic dance training. Wouldn't it be part of any drama course?

Good Joe won. He hadn't danced before Strictly. They should not be including contestants who know how to dance before they start !

Joe, whilst proving he was a very accomplished dancer and put in consistently good performances week on week, I perceive he won the voting audience over personality wise. I think both Alexandra and Debbie had the edge on him in the actual dance stakes, but like Denise Van Outen a couple of years ago were both pipped at the post, because they were both seen as not absolute beginners, many will have delved into their professional CVs and found a wealth of dance experience there. I think a lot of people want to see a raw, unformed personality (in the dance sense) go the distance and take the ultimate title and that was the outcome this time. However, very pleased for Joe he comes across very well.

Friday - I totally agree with you. Thank you for putting it so well!

Whatever their backgrounds, IMO Debbie and Alexandra were far more exciting to watch than Gemma and Joe, and although it's a competition, it also has to be entertainment. Debbie's and Alexandra's performances totally gripped me for weeks.

Thanks for that useful information grannyactivist and it was pleasing that you took our queries in the spirit they were intended.

I voted for Joe in the end after taking everything into consideration. He wasn’t the best dancer in the finals but he was the one who had come from nowhere (like Gemma) and made the most progress. He has become a dancer and I also admired Katya’s choreography and her teaching skills.

I`m chuffed that Joe won, but couldn`t vote as was out tonight at my grandson`s 21st meal. I watched the recording when I got home, so didn`t see the result till 1.20am.

Hi Friday et al.

Don't get me wrong, I have huge admiration for Debbie and I think that to be as good as she is at her age is a marvelous achievement. However, one of my friends was a ballerina and can still perform the most amazing (to me) balletic moves in spite of not dancing professionally for four decades; she says that because DM has maintained her fitness and had professional training at a very high level she has a huge advantage in Strictly.

Debbie McGee started her ballet career when she was enrolled at a dance school at the age of 7; after a successful audition she was accepted into The Royal Ballet at the age of 16. At the age of 19 she joined the corps de ballet at the Iranian National Ballet and by the time of the Iranian Revolution, when she was 21, she was a soloist.

Below: quotes taken from hers and Paul's own pantomime publicity:

The couple met after Debbie passed an audition to be a dancer in the Paul Daniels Summer Show in Great Yarmouth.

Having trained at the Royal Ballet School, Debbie joined the Iranian National Ballet, before venturing into a more commercial side of dance, touring with Abba, James Last and Chris de Burgh.

In 2000 Debbie set up her own dance company, Ballet Imaginaire and was both choreographer and artistic director.

Katya’s choreography was superb, and their show dance was a winner - particularly the dress stunt. Joe was a good dancer but his facial expressions put me off him. Debbie was grace personified and her show dance was stunning - what a wonderful partnership with Giovanni. What an Argentine tango!! Gemma improved week by week and I so admire her. Her final dance was so beautiful and emotional. Alexandra was a very strong and accomplished dancer but I felt she put too much energy into the dances (if you know what I mean) and her samba and Charleston were too much like workouts.

Pleased with the result although much to my surprise in enjoyed Debbie’s dancing.

To do her justice, Katya's choreography was second to none.

So pleased he won! He's been my favourite. His Dr Zhivago was sooooo romantic

Happy Joe won!

Well done Joe I am so pleased for you - I wonder who came 2nd...............etc

I've been backing Joe for the last few weeks as his dancing has matched his acting ability. He has put more of his personality into his dancing than any other celeb. Well done, Joe.

Good result. He deserved to win.

YES, YES, YES !! I'm so happy.
Well done Joe