Strictly Come Dancing--am I on my own here?

I don't like sharing it as my reactions to some of the dances don't bear a social airing. Also, *interruptions*.

It was quite funny though. I'm only sorry we never got to see Spoony's I'm-very-fierce face.

Jan Ravens is kind of rubbish too, isn't she?

For that reason, I think she's remarkable. If I was that bad, there's no way I could go out and dance in front of people.

Peter Schmeichel has always had an amazingly red nose though, I think.

Lara, do you not like Claire King? I thought at least she had the good grace to seem genuinely embarrassed when Brendan started having a hissy fit at the judges. Although I was really amused by him basically saying "the foxtrot is my fucking dance, and you're going to fucking do it right" and then hauling her around the dance floor as if she was a giant doll. I hate him. I've hated him ever since he walked out on his partner after some disastrous round two years ago, and she was crying and he just left her there. He's mean.

The funny thing is, when Claudia had Craig and Brendan on the show this evening, Brendan admitted that actually he thought the marks were fine, and that the standings at the end of each show were usually pretty accurate, so I couldn't help wondering what he was so pissed off about.

I was also amused that when Claudia asked Craig whether he thought Arlene had marked Brendan too harshly, he said something about thinking it was a bit harsh and that maybe it was personal(!) which I suspect is going to come back and bite him in the ass.

I wish they'd stop all this fussin' and a feudin'. If I wanted to listen to that kind of shite I'd watch Pop Idol. I want floaty dresses, brass sections, and lovely Saturday night telly, not bitchy carry on.

No-one will ever be as bad as Diarmuid Gavin or Quentin Wilson, though Jan is running them close.

Arlene's wuv for Mark Ramprakash is amusing.

Every week i am fascinated by Tess Daly's breasts and what the costume designer is going to try and do with them.

I'm afraid that when Jimmy "Oho" Tarbuck dropped out of this series, so did I.

I enjoyed Brendan's hissy fit, it was very Hi-De-Hi.

I find him patronising in the extreme, normally, but I did laugh at his pretend phone call to vote for "the little fat fella and his granddaughter. I think they're smashing".

As usual, PJ, you have it right.

The lack of discipline is surprising. It is almost Mourinhoesque.
I wonder if the viewing figures will go up or down. I suspect down.

Disappointing cover versions this week.

I thought the producers of the little rehearsal segments did a fantastic job pulling out all the emotional stops though. Victoria Beckham, Jan Raven's wee kiddies. Punchy stuff.

Having been firmly behind Emma since the start, that phone vote has surprised me, and now I'm less sure she's going to win. I'm very much warming to Matt, even though I don't like him much.

Who's with me this year then? Pleasantly surprised by Dominic Littlewood, and lolled massively at Karen Hardy trying not to cry when she realised Richard Hillman isn't really a very good dancer.

The women's competition is going to be terrific, judging by the demonstration dances tonight.

I am SO in. Kelly Brook is my early pick for the win, but my mam and dad have both met Laetitia Dean and say she is lovely and a dote, so I want her to do well too. I liked Deano Wicks as well, he could be really good.

I was honestly disappointed to see Karen Hardy again. She was such a pushy psycho last year that I thought they would quietly drop her this year; no such luck.

You'll be glad to see her out first then, eh? My early shout before I saw them all was going to be Kelly Brook, but Alesha Dixon and Penny Lancaster look like they could do pretty well. Stephanie Beacham first off, I reckon. I'm calling Deano for the men's one as well, mostly because I don't want John Barnes to win because I carry long grudges. Hopefully my fellow Celtic supporter Rod Stewart feels the same way and twats him one on live telly.

Ha ha, fuck off psycho Karen. And she was practically in tears, too.

I like that the judges get to decide which one out of the bottom two has to leave. No more Spoonygate.

Yes, that's much better - I was certain Kenny would go because Richard Hillman is more famous than a bloke what used to play rugby for Scotland and shags Gabby Logan, but as soon as Len picked him as the best out of the group dance, I knew he was safe.

Didn't Gabby Logan used to be a professional gymnast in her younger days? Dark horse material then - also her and Penny are WAY too thin for people who have just had kids (I R jealous old fatface and I don't even have the kids excuse)

OK, that was aces yesterday, Kate Garraway aside, and she *was* pretty badly hurt. Couple of 9s so early in the competition, could be really tough this year. Can't see past Penny, Kelly and Aleesha even at this early stage.

Kenny out next for the blokes, he's a lumberer to match Peter Schmeichel and appears to have two left feet and no sense of rhythm.

OK, the judges stepping in to avoid another Spoony didn't work, since idiot public voted for Kate in their droves despite her being (1) rubbish and (2) probably unable to carry on due to injury, so surely get shot of her and let both Stephanie and Letitia carry on would have been the best thing.

Hopefully my fellow Celtic supporter Rod Stewart feels the same way and twats him one on live telly

I hope that wasn't why Rod was sporting a shiner :-O

I assume they just film the Sunday night show straight after the Saturday night one? Everybody must be bloody exhausted by the time it's all over.

Not only do I think Kate should have gone out instead of Stephanie, I'm seeing the flaw in the boys vs. girls first week. All of the women were better than the two worst men, so really none of the women should have had to leave. But I guess they have to work it out somehow.

They do, yes (re. filming) which is totally obvious when you see Bruce and Tess in new outfits but Billy Zane wearing exactly the same as he was "yesterday". (Also obvious last week because Kenny was doing coverage of the rugby on the Sunday night on ITV straight afterwards). Presume they got Rod straight off a plane from Hampden and into the aftershow (complete with black eye) to record his "I was so proud of Penny" bits. She was giving it all the "he was on the phone crying" bit on the Saturday show then on the Sunday show, there he was. Unless they filmed him somewhere else because it would be strange to think he wouldn't be there since the Scotland game was "the day before". Arrgh, it is so pointless, also spoilers all over teh internets from audience members (which I just discovered last night after the show - avoid Digital Spy more so than usual)

Yeah, the Sunday thing is just stupid. I presume it has to be done this way, though, because of new phone voting regulations. Assuming this show was always on the level, it must be extremely frustrating for everyone involved to have to do all this extra work.

Ailsa and Trish both totally OTM about everything. Especially the Sunday thing, which is just nuts, and full of horrible filler like the professionals dancing and Westlife and other bollocks.

The blokes competition is dire this year. Not only are they all crap, but I don't care about any of them. I really really hope the wretched Dominic Littlewood's cheeky chappy act will disappear early on, but sadly he does show some aptitude. Kenny Logan will go fairly soon, maybe next week. Gethin gets the vote from the womenfolk in my house, and they also kept the phone away from me to stop me voting for the lovely Kelly, favouring instead Gabby. I was disappointed that the shrewish Kate didn't go out - she's obviously no good, ankle injury or not. And she's married to the tool Derek Draper! I was hoping that Letitia would stay in, but I fear that she will go after Kate and before Gabby.

womenfolk in Dr.C's house OTM re Gethin.

He doesn't quite do it for me. I'm a Matt Di Angelo woman, myself.

he's young enough to be your son (possibly), also is the worst actor in EastEnders apart from Phil Daniels.

womenfolk in Dr.C's house OTM re Gethin

And menfolk (well, me) OTM re: Kelly.

I like her, but to be honest I can see everyone's slavering over her getting real old real fast. It's one thing to say that someone looks lovely or is beautiful, it's another thing to excuse her dance partner openly drooling over her arse during rehearsals.

That could just be the sour grapes of a non-attractive and bitter older person, though.

No, I can see it getting really tedious too (if you are old and non-attractive and bitter, then I'm right there with you, and I don't think that either of us are anything other than FULL OF COMMON SENSE). Putting her with Brendan was designed just for the pervy antics and to ramp up the "drama" - this is getting too much like the X Factor :-/

^ OK, I was a couple of weeks out, but :-(

That phase of feeling sorry for Anne Widdecombe has passed, btw. I hate them with a passion. I did hate that she was being criticised for her age and weight, but fuck it, it's a dance show. Do some fucking dancing.

never watched this show but i've seen shows using the same format in other countries and there's something fairly great about watching those. the celebrities are always such national celebrities, and even then sometimes somewhat niche or faded, that it just seems like it's just people dancing badly.

There are people dancing very well. Anne Widdecombe is not one of them.

Can I be the first one to make the Pamela/Brendan Bradford & Bingley joke?

If you mean Pamela/James, then yes (just watching now).

Stupid gimmicky dances annoy me. If you can't tell the story of the dance without gimmickly props, then tell a different story!

Brief revive to say the following:

• fuck whoever out there is voting for Widdecombe
• woah shit!!! at Matt Baker backflip

Yes and yes. Really liked Pamela and James's waltz too.

God yeah, voting for Ann is just so wrong. The whole thing is just so set for non-existent laughs - pairing her with a guy a good foot taller than her who is entirely made of cheese, ffs. The fact that people are buying it is completely bizarre to me, it's not even a comedy protest vote, is it?

Matt's gymnastics are great. Didn't people get really arsey about Gaby Logan being an ex-gymnast, but Matt seems to get a free pass with it.

Three nights of Strictly next week, and I'll be at ATP. Trishyb, we must find some way of iPlayering it and watching together!

oh, and I really really don't give a shit about the Kara and Artem love story. At all.

Trishyb, we must find some way of iPlayering it and watching together!

Does Butlins have free wifi yet? I will have my laptop with me.

Jolly good. I have my spies investigating the wifi situation right now (would it be sad if we were to take your laptop on a trip to find wifi and download it off the iplayer site?)

The singers are fucking atrocious tonight, btw. They've been not too bad this series, but that Abba medley was painful.

I loved Kara's dress from last night, btw. This Anton and Erin dance is rather nice.

oh, and Bruno, stfu. Scott in bottom two isn't *that* shocking when we're this far through, it's obvious Gavin and Ann have fans (they are the only two left who aren't potential finalists) and when it's down to the public, this is what happens.

NICKY WIRE IN A BANANA SUIT!!!

I was sort of hoping they'd break ranks and assault Ann Widdecombe halfway through.

Hooray, she's out!!

shaun ryder on im a celebrity, manics on strictly... looking forward to [fill in your own joke] on x-factor

Oasis?

would it be sad if we were to take your laptop on a trip to find wifi and download it off the iplayer site?

Ooh, good idea. Saturday and Sunday lunch somewhere? Nice.

I was amazed to see the Manics on Strictly, until I remembered that its a choice between Strictly and X Factor nowadays, so ultimately they made the right decision.

Also had a genuine moment of tension when I thought Scott might be out instead of Ann.

May I join you? :)

Yay! I'll bring the gin and snacks! True spirit of indie festival japes, us lot.

it's obvious Gavin and Ann have fans

There are two in my house who have voted for Gav every week so far. I switched from Patsy to Kara, post-Patsy's (too early) demise. I think Matt will go before Scott actually, unless Scott forgets his steps again under the pressure of the semis.

Thank god the Widdecombe horrorshow is over. And how repulsive is Tony Beak Anton Du Fecking Beke?

Your womenfolk not OTM this year, Dr C. I honestly don't mind who wins out of the people that aren't Gavin.

I've missed Strictly for the past couple of weeks! Ann is gone then? Thank eff. Her continued presence was turning me into a right grumpy old sourpuss, banging on her climate change denial record and getting more and more grumpy as the whole stupid farce continues. It's Strictly for goodness sake! It isn't supposed to make me want to go and listen to the Levellers and fetch dogs on strings etc etc...

(I have watched 0 rub-factor but Strictly is GRATE)

It's his smile apparently, and the fact that he always appeared crushed by the judges comments. Hmmm.

I will always have a soft spot for him for the lomg-range penalty that sunk England in the 2008 6-nations, but it's painful watching him on Strictly. I think Kara will win. It might come down to what dances they perform in the final. Latin is not Pamela's strong suit. I think Kara will win.

Am I the only one missing the dance-offs this year?

He's a good lad, Gavin, but he by no means deserves to be in the final. He hasn't even shown the kind of magical breakthrough of previous sportspeople.

Ailsa, Madchen, we are GO! for Strictly in Minehead. Husband reckons that someone's iPhone data plan should allow us to download and watch, even if we have to kick in a couple of quid to help pay the bill.

huzzah! i have been informed by someone that there is wifi in the pavilion as well, someone who was posting to the internet while watching Mike Watt the other day.

Nice. Booze and ballroom all round.

Just set the Sky+ to record It Takes Two and I see that Zoe Ball is doing it. That's not good. Is it temporary, I wonder, or is Claude not coming back?

Claudia is not coming back. Sadface.

Oh. She mentioned on twitter something about her mat leave coming to an end and I assumed it was no coincidence.

That's rubbish! It was the one thing she was good at!

Perhaps I have this wrong! I hope so.

No, it looks like you're right. Oh well. At least I can still spend my time wishing she'd get her fringe cut, so that's something.

STRICTLY CONTESTANTS 2013

Abbey Clancy
Ashley Taylor Dawson
Ben Cohen
Dave Myers
Deborah Meaden
Fiona Fullerton
Julien Macdonald
Mark Benton
Natalie Gumede
Patrick Robinson
Rachel Riley
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Susanna Reid
Tony Jacklin
Vanessa Feltz

Ashley Taylor Dawson is the only name I don't recognise there. Heard somewhere that Natalie Lowe's injured this year so Aliona will be taking her place.

I've only heard of four of these people (Fullerton, Riley, Ellis-Bextor, Feltz).

Which is three more than ITV's rival celeb dance-em-up show.

Dave Myers is one of the "Hairy Bikers" cooking blokes.

Abbey Clancy - Peter Crouch's missus
Ashley Taylor Dawson ??
Ben Cohen - Englisn rugby player
Dave Myers - Hairy Biker
Deborah Meaden - Dragon (from Dragon's Den)
Fiona Fullerton - actress
Julien Macdonald - fashion designer
Mark Benton - bloke who's in everything on the telly
Natalie Gumede - husband-basher Kirsty from Coronation Street
Patrick Robinson - used to be in Casualty, probably still is
Rachel Riley - prettier nicer younger Vorderman
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - singer
Susanna Reid - BBC newsreader
Tony Jacklin - ex-golfer
Vanessa Feltz - TV bod and professional reality show contestant

Ashley Taylor Dawson

My Google-fu tells me that he's an actor in Hollyoaks. He also was/is in a shitty boyband who reformed in August oh guess there's no ulterior motive for him being on Strictly then.

reformed as in 'turned over a new leaf' ?

As in 'got back together to be as crap as before with even fewer people giving a toss'.

On at 6:50PM...

residents of Cleethorpes having an epi at being subsumed into Grimsby

Bill Bailey is one of the celebrities this year, which is a bit of a surprise. And his hair has receeded so much - and is pulled back in a ponytail - that I'll reminded of the episode of Black Books where the manager of the rival bookshop wants him to cut his hair.