Strictly 2025 Part two

It's because the 'public' vote is more 'powerful'. The 'judge' vote only goes so far.
It was explained ages ago, when Arlene Philips complained about a duff dancer staying in, that is is an entertainment show and not just about dancing standards.

Calendargirl

Amber out dances everyone. Because of that, she should win.

But she won’t.

Think if it were up to Craig, she would, as he genuinely judges on that, never mind if they are amateur, professional, on a journey….

That’s because most of the Charleston moves were what she danced to from June till September in the stage show The Great Gatsby.

I don’t like all the knocking of Amber, I thought Nikita spoke well last night. She isn’t to blame personally if the rules of Strictly allow people who dance as part of their job to participate.

I wasn’t talking about Amber’s Charleston petra.

Her Couples Choice was the best dance of the night, and deserved the marks she got.

I find her rather ‘gushing’, and fake ‘humble’, but her dancing is better than any of the remaining contestants, simple as that.

She danced better than Lewis last week, which is why she went through.

Other weeks, he was probably better than her.

🤷‍♀️

I don't dispute Amber's dance was better than Lewis's, but neither should have been in the dance -off.
I agree about Craig; it is a competition and he judges fairly, if strictly. It is the dancing that matters, not that someone is deemed to show 'false modesty'. Would it be better if she boasted?

Dancers, by virtue of their strict training, seek perfection, and are rarely satisfied with their performance.

Kylie hoping to have a Christmas hit that will form her pension fund in years to come ..... but it was rubbish, in my opinion.

Well, that’s Balvinder leaving then, up against Amber.

It sure was Sparklefizz

You’ve made me laugh Sparkle you’re absolutely right.
She looks great ‘though.
The trophy is going to either George or Karen, probably the latter.
Some fans find George ‘too posh’ unfortunately.

Balvinder has done wonderfully well for a complete non-dancer.

She has, she’s shown true grit to rise to the occasion so often. I think it was the right decision tonight though.

Sparklefizz

Balvinder has done wonderfully well for a complete non-dancer.

She has, hasn't she!

Shirley said it was one of the best semi finals ever. I beg to differ, we were missing Katya and Lewis.
I thought it was dull. Just my opinion though.

Not just your opinion rafichagran I think so too. Not a patch on the standard in previous years.

There have been stronger finals in the past

I remember Arlene Phillips being summarily 'let go' (and never allowed to comment on the reasons why)
and replaced by the dreadful Aleisha Dixon, the only explanation offered, some time later was that it was to appeal to the 'youf' audience, BBC not aware that it was not their sort of thing even then.
Glad Balvinder has been put out of her misery.

I see the Strictly Final tonight is a very long programme lasting 2 hours 10 minutes with the contestants having to dance 3 dances. I look forward to the dancing but hope the programme is not padded out too much.

I also hope there's not a big "thing" around Tess and Claudia leaving. I feel enough was said/done last week with them being presented with glitterballs.

eazybee I totally agree with what you've said above.

I always find the actual Final horribly drawn out.

The judges fall over themselves to say nice things about all of the dancers, we see clips of friends and family saying how wonderful said contestant is, amidst floods of tears and emotion.

The judges give out scores which don’t count, but I assume is meant to sway our votes.

It will be either Karen or George, certainly not Amber.

I find Karen’s gurning face and the way she flaps her hands to thank the voting public rather OTT.

But I really think the GB will be hers and Carlos’, (cue floods of tears from Carlos).

We shall know by about 9pm.

Looking forward to the final tonight. Heading to my daughter’s to watch it there with my teenage granddaughter and daughter. My Sil and grandson will retreat upstairs to watch something else 😂

I think Karen will win but I’d be just as happy if George takes the title. He seems a lovely lad and like Karen he’s made great progress week by week.

If, like me, you don't enjoy the 'padding' then, once the show begins, press 'pause' for about ten minutes, so that you can fast forward the boring bits.
Don't pause for too long, in case you miss the Vote.
Cheers.

Calendargirl

I always find the actual Final horribly drawn out.

The judges fall over themselves to say nice things about all of the dancers, we see clips of friends and family saying how wonderful said contestant is, amidst floods of tears and emotion.

The judges give out scores which don’t count, but I assume is meant to sway our votes.

It will be either Karen or George, certainly not Amber.

I find Karen’s gurning face and the way she flaps her hands to thank the voting public rather OTT.

But I really think the GB will be hers and Carlos’, (cue floods of tears from Carlos).

We shall know by about 9pm.

Karen still suffers with anxiety caused by the terrible online abuse directed at her. So bad that she had suicidal thoughts 😥
The flapping of the hands is an indicator of her anxiety.

I don't mind whether it's Karen or George. They both represent what I think Strictly is about- celebrities learning to dance.

I love all the fun and sparkle and the celebrities and I think George, Karen (and Balvinder) have made the most progress this time.

I am worried about what will happen in the future without Tess and Claudia.

W O W ! Amber and Nikita's Paso!

Sparklefizz

W O W ! Amber and Nikita's Paso!

Yes!!!!

That was an excellent Paso