Strictly Come Dancing, Saturday 7pm, BBC One

Posted by Nicola Scholey

Just when we thought Strictly was getting a little predictable with the best dancers waltzing through to the next round - we were in for a shocker this week.

It was a night filled with drama. Firstly, Len threw his toys out of his pram when - like the rest of us - he'd clearly had enough of fellow judge Craig's comments and accused him of destroying contestants instead of giving them constructive criticism.

Next, I had to hide behind my hands as Ali and her dance partner Brian Fortuna took to the floor. It wasn't their dancing that made me cringe but Ali's admission that she'd injured her foot just a few hours before the show and it was clear she was in agony.

The usual suspects danced their way to the top of the leader board with Ricky Whittle proving he can do no wrong.

One of my personal highlights though was Ricky Groves' attempt to be sexy. Did he achieve his goal of being like 007? Well, he didn't do a bad job - but don't give up the day job Ricky.

However, the biggest shock of the night came when the results were read out with Ali Baston up against Zoe Lucker.

It's not the first time Zoe has been in the bottom two - but she was by no way the worst dancer.

As for the reason Ali landed in the bottom two? - well, maybe voters think she's safe or she's not connecting with the voting public - who knows?

But on the bright side Corrie actor Craig Kelly got his wish to dance in Blackpool as all the contestants head there to continue their journey next week.

So did Zoe and James deserve to go? And how the hell did Ali find herself in the dance-off? Have your say here.

Picture: BBC

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Last week’s Strictly
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Comments

[Laura]

Perhaps Strictly should be renamed Strictly Cant Dance at the rate things are going we could end up with Craig,Ricky Groves,and dear Chris in the last three perhaps then the public will be happy to have turned what has been a good Tv series into a farcical one and the worst dancer wins.

[LINDA]

And talking of the XFactor, I had to turn it off when that Stacey came on as I couldn't stand it! Most of them are TALENTLESS. Why do the judges tell them they are good when they are NOT.

[LINDA]

It seems most of the general public are mad! Yet again the best dancers are being voted off in favour of sympathy votes. I agree with the person who suggested we should vote off who we want to leave, which would be far more reliable.

[hew lass]

i could care, but then that would be a hypocrisy to my belief that i should only concern myself with things that matter

[Nigel Lane]

What a total farce. Why dont we push out the best dancers one by one and just let the poor dancers struggle and struggle.

[Chloe]

I don't think Ali & Brian & Zoey & James should have been in the bottom two. And they were both 1st & 2nd in the leaderboard and it's just pathetic how people think because they're top of the leaderboard they don't need any votes. I would have put out Zoe & James, even though both pairs are good, I like Ali & Brian better. It is getting beyond a joke how Craig is still in. People are only voting for him so he gets to Blackpool, then they'll vote him off, which is sad in my opinion.

[Stuart M]

I wonder if any of the so called lesser dancers (craig.Rick G,Chris) knowing that they are worse than those being voted off would have the bottle to stand up and say 'its not right I should be going and not so and so'. To me Craig has very little rhythem. Chris has a bit more and Rick G is not much better.

[karen]

Get rid of these pointless reality shows and give us value for money on our tv licence.
Totally rubbish. I know its for charity but I can think of better ways of raising money than making us all suffer the whinging and whinning of celebs each week.

[geravon]

I totally agree with Alison when she said the injury Ali sustained should not have been brought up until after the judges had made their comments. I was a little shocked to hear Bruno say that allowances should be made, but relieved to see the marks were consistant with the dance.

Phil danced after what I know personally is quite a painful operation. No mention was made of making allowances then and I am quite sure Phil wouldn't have wanted that. He still limps now and again.

Ricky also got hurt during rehearsal last week but it was not mentioned until he had danced. Even then he brushed it aside not wanting to use it to his benefit.

Ali should have gritted her teeth and danced with her shoes on. She really shouldn't have removed them until she was sure she was safe anyway. Maybe a little arrogance crept in and she assumed she was safe? who knows.

There must be consistancy. I do feel Zoe did a better final dance and Ali should have gone.

The biggest shame of all is that someone has let poor Craig continue to think he can dance and even question the judges. Be kind Flavia please tell him the truth. He will come down to earth with a very big bump soon.

[Rachey]

I was astonished that Zoe and James were in the bottom two with Ali and Brian. Zoe's samba wasn't as strong as her other dances, but she was by no means the poorest dancer last night...just look at Mr. Cardboard Cutout aka Craig Kelly! I'm sick of hearing about his hometown and his birthday! And Natalie Cassidy clearly loves it but (bless her) she's just still in becuase she's from Eastenders. It's time the British public stopped the popularity voting and start to vote for good dancers

[Debbie Nosworthy]

typical, the british public obviously don't know how to vote for dancers, only tryers. Problem is when Tess Daley said only you can keep Craig in the competition,it is his birthday! People feel sorry for him cos he wants to go Blackpool. it is the dancing capital of this country and Zoe deserved to go there, she can dance!!!

[meranda]

It was so shocking to see they
where in the bottom two I think the show is becoming a
joke.In my opion I think Ali
should of gone I thought zoe
could surive till the final I
think craig should been in the bottom with Ali, just because blackpool was craigs home town doesnt mean you should keep him in!

[Irene Stevens]

As there was nothing else but rubbish on tv we thought we would give strictly dancing a viewing, what a mistake. It is just farcical and so unjust,the good dancers voted off and the naff soap stars stay only because they are soap stars and nothing to do with their ability to dance which they clearly cannot. BBC should stop putting things like this on tv just to rake in as much money as they can by stupid people with more money than sense and who have clearly no idea about dancing ability.

[Anne]

I totally agree, the voting system should be reviewed. A disgrace

[barbara]

wont watch anymore after last night, perhaps it would be better for judges to vote on dancers until last 6 couples remain then open up to public vote.

[Margo]

Cannot Craig realise that the more he is critical of a contestant the more the public vote for them to spite him.

[Trumbles]

It's a complete joke! Craig went for the sympathy vote. It's absolutely outrageous that a grown man has to harp on about getting to Blackpool and to top it all off it was his birthday. What a total load of rubbish and he should be ashamed of himself. He can't dance and he continues to look utterly ridiculus. The public are just as stupid for voting him in! It's a joke!

[Edward Brook]

History repeats itself - after
Gabby Logan's early departure
with poor James, it happens again with Zoe. It is obvious that the majority of phone voters are cerebrally challenged females and viewers of the worst TV programme ever - Eastenders.
Apart from Ally, Leila and Ricky Whittle - the remaining contestants are a bunch of mingers that days of work
by the make-up department could not conceal.

[Rebecca]

This might be an unpopular comment, but I didn't like Zoe's dancing at all. She ALWAYS had bent knees and her Samba last night was poor. She and James were praised for their gyrating and disco moves when last week Tuffers and Leila Rouas were reprimanded. There is no consistency from the judges at all. This makes the viewing public vote on personality and showmanship rather than technical skills.

[Laura]

I agree with a comment re: the voting system. the top scorers should be 'safe' and the dancers at the bottom of the score table should be voted in by the public, that way they HAVE to step up their game to stay in the competition. Just hope the producers at BBC sit up and listen......yeah right!!

[Alan]

Why do we have to put in a token non white judge and a couple on non white contestants until we have a level playing field ther will always be Rivers of blood

[Kay]

It is a shame that it's not about the dancers but about the soaps. Time the voting system was changed.

[Sue]

Yet another total FARCE, how can you be expected to vote and compare when they dance different dances on the same show. The voting system needs to be changed to reflect improvement and talent, not people voting for their favourite TV personality or heart throb.

[Bill]

I have watched every series of 'Strictly' and always enjoy it. BUT, why oh why do the british puplic keep voting for the soap 'stars' because they know them from these programmes?? Just because they can act in a soap, DOESN'T make them a dancer!! Please please BBC, change the voting rules so that the best couples win; no matter who they are. I don't watch ANY soaps, so I have no idea who these so-called 'stars' are; but as a dancer myself, I can see who's making progress and who isn't. It's a DANCING competition, so lets get real!!

[susie]

It should not be called Strictly as that is a joke. No way should the couple of gone out laest night. Len was right as usual, far worse dancers should have gone out weeks ago. It is a family show and entertainment it is, but it is a competition after all. Lets hope the public realise this before it is too late.

[Rita]

Zoe should NOT have gone and quite rightly Ali has earned her place. Craig should have gone; he seems to think he can dance - he CAN'T and poor Flavia knows this. I was hoping that the judges would refuse to vote either of the 2 bottom couples off as they didn't deserve to be in the bottom 2, but what could the judges do really? Come on the British public vote fairly, THIS IS A DANCING COMPETITION; may the best dancer win.

[Bubbles]

Yes once again a FARCE. Of course Zoe should not have gone out she is one of the best. CHANGE THE VOTING SYSTEM NOW NOW NOW., not next month when all the good ones have gone.in FUTURE DON,T GET soap STARS

[linda]

agree completely with sarah, ann and jasander - change the voting system! I watch to enjoy the dancing and admire the progress some contestants manage to achieve which can be awesome at times - not to watch celebrities merely shuffle around the floor and get though on a sympathy vote or whatever!

[meg]

I also think that the dancers that don't do very good always get the sympathy votes. Its a dance competition!!! Its the people who do well should get lots of votes. As you can see zoe and james were good and got a good score but went out. Craig only got through because everyone wants to see him dance in his own town.

[Ken]

Throwing the voting open to the great British public is fatal when judgement and appreciation of performances is required. Both strictly and X Factor have the problems of either mischevious vote manipulation or blinkered celeb adulation. Some good suggestions have been posted for producers to consider.

[meg]

I think that craig should of gone out because zoe and james were really good. Its always the good dancers that go out. I think craig is ok but wasn't improving.

[Malcolm]

As usual in this country mediocrity wins we have become a nation that feeds on personalities, we should vote for excellence in all forms of life, the soap fans win again, change the rules BBC

[Donna]

I thought it was supposed to be a dancing competition!!!!
Sort it out BBC.

[jean]

show a farce won't watch it next year

[dave]

all fairness its not just strictly thats having the problem its xfactor aswell to be honest i agree changing the vote system or better still judges vote stands, but i think both strictly come dancing and xfactor have both run there course soon its will be like big brother another bore on TV

[Ann]

The BBC should think about changing the voting system - keep the public involved but only those who score below 30 from the Judges should be voted for to stay in the competition- thus keeping the top ones in. It's a lovely show, and this same problem happens year after year.

[sarah reade]

I agree with the person who said to change the voting sysytem. People at home should only be able to vote for who they want to save in the bottom ? 4 couples or something. I love the show and have been watching it for years, but it really makes me angry when the 'pinocchio's keep getting through. I understand its a'family entertainment show'....but lets not forget the fact that it is meant to be ......A DANCING COMPETION!!!!!!!!

[Roger Thompson]

This is NOT a popularity contest!! It is a dancing contest, so Joe Public stop being moronic and vote for the best Dancers!!!

[Sylvia]

Personalities.....thats all people are voting for - not as it should be that they are guided by the comments from the judges and how they feel each performer 'HAS PERFORMED' I am sick and tired of the constant 'sympathy vote syndrome' so what if it was Craig's Birthday and he like I guess many of the others wanted so much to go to Blackpool....he should have been in dance off - not Zoe!!They are trying to keep viewers from watching the 'other side'...if this stupid voting system continues....they won't have any viewers!!!Each 'series' its the same....losing reasonable and good dancers to people who should be...long gone!!! Someone do something please...and for 'past it presenters too'!!!

[Carole]

Have stopped watching as it getting so ridiculous!!

[Roy]

They might just as well take the programe of box because its nothing about DANCING their was only about two couples better its ridiculous do away with the public vote its not fair

[JaSander]

Change the scoring system. Those that find themselves in the top half of the leader board based on the judges scores are safe - the bottom half go to public vote. This way the contestants have to step up thier game and try harder to avoid the public vote. No dance off. No combined score - the worst dancer and the publics least favorite is out. Simple.

[lizbeth]

no Zoe didn't deserve to go. but as in previous years the dancers personality seems to be before how good a dancer they are

[james cooper]

why do all these queries keep arising? it is obvious that voting for the worst (and who should go) is FAR more reliable than voting for the best! most of us will vote once and my guess is there are lots of votes for the top three or four then lowish marks for the rest making it a lottery!!

[John]

Strictly is becoming a farce. I know the BBC want the audience to be involved, but once again we've got genuine contenders being eliminated early just because the public vote for much weaker dancers just because they like them better, for whatever reason.

Its time to just let the judges decide. OK, we'd lose the drama of the 'moment of truth', but at least we'd have a sensible competition.

Imagine if 'Masterchef' was decided on the basis of 50% John and Greg's opinion, and 50% that of the audience - or if Sralun's opinion only counted for 50% in 'The Apprentice'!

[Alison]

Personally I would have preferred Ali to go! She is pathethic basically. All simpering and coy... just doesn't do it for me. Ok she hurt her foot, but it would have meant much more if she had got through it and afterwards told everyone what had happened rather than get judges on her side. Dancing the dance off in slippers... should have been disqualified for that. How can the judges see the technical aspects if she's not in dance shoes??

[Sandy]

Perhaps the judges should have more input, why are Craig and Ricky G still dancing when one of the better dancers Zoe is voted out?

[Karen]

It was a shock. Again it's favoured celebrities over dancing performance. However I don't think the judges voting is consistent either - The judges all have their favourites who can do no wrong, even with slip ups, yet when one of their least favourites performs well they are noticably scored down against the judges favourites. Alicia should definitely go next!

[lizzy]

Here we go again - as happened last year, two of the best dancers end up in the dance off leaving other worse dancers to survive. I know Craig wanted to get to Blackpool and maybe that is why the public kept him in, but no way should Zoe have gone over him.