[Livia]

Originally Posted by Barry.

I really hope she doesn’t get the sympathy vote if she’s not good. If she’s good then that’s a different story

With no disrespect to the girl, she's not good. She's box tick. I have nothing against her, I wish her continued success and a happy life... But there is only one reason the BBC selected her.

[Nicky91]

not all people disabilities ended up winning though, only Rose and Chris were exceptions


i think this Ellie will have same fate as her paralympic swimmer namesake: Ellie Simmonds, could also see a Susan Calman 2.0 in her honestly, maybe if she has the entertainment factor



she'll be lucky to last to a 8th or 9th place somewhere like that, when the real competition begins, when most deadwood are gone

[Strictly Jake]

Originally Posted by AnnieK

Launch night tonight....although I never watch the launch as I find it a bit cringe. Id rather they just crack on and start the competition.

Same! I still haven't seen last night's. Im never gonna be able to watch it on a Saturday now cos of work. But will catch up shortly. But yeah it seems a pointless show. Especially when partnerships are leaked anyway before hand. Surely they can just show the celebrity being introduced to their partner in the pre vts before they do their first dance.

[Nicky91]

launch show isn't entirely pointless, we get to see who immediately gets on well with each other in terms of the pairings, and the group dance of course


and i'm saying it, i don't see Ross as a ''first out'' and i think his cha cha next saturday to california gurls will be good fun

[Strictly Jake]

Watched this tonight. Actually the cast aren't quite as bad as I thought they were on paper. Vicky is my current favourite.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Livia

Well, I guess she's spent tho most on her face.

Tbf she was naturally pretty before the Botox imo, if anything it makes it a lot closer between Vicky and Dani due to her having the Plastic Surgery in my view.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Barry.

I really hope she doesn’t get the sympathy vote if she’s not good. If she’s good then that’s a different story

Tbh, it didn't stop any of the other disabled contestants from other years doing well off of a sympathy vote.

I mean hasn't the worst performing disabled contestant on Strictly been 10th place? Which still means that they were at the very least more popular than five other people.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

Tbh, it didn't stop any of the other disabled contestants from other years doing well off of a sympathy vote.

I mean hasn't the worst performing disabled contestant on Strictly been 10th place? Which still means that they were at the very least more popular than five other people.

Both Rose Ayling Ellis and Chris McCauseland were really good dancers and deserved to win. Other disabled contestants, Johnnie Peacock, Jody Cundy etc. Did well but just weren't good enough to win. Ellie Goldstein has no coordination or control, that was clear from the few minutes of dancing I saw on Saturday night. She's there to make others feel better. She can barely control herself in interviews and I can hardly understand her. God love her, she's going to try, but I just can't watch it. It's like when organisations like Chicken Shed turn up on Britain's Got Talent and we have to watch kids with Downs Syndrome leap about and then get a standing ovation. Just...no. If she improves week on week I will willingly apologise for what I said. But I don't think I'll have to.

[Vanessa]

I'm sure they will all improve. Really excited for Saturday

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I'm sure they will all improve. Really excited for Saturday

…I’m sure they will improve week on week and I always understood that to be something that the judges scored on as well as other aspects…

….Ellie is my sweepstake so I’m rooting for her, obviously…but also that she’s given an equal opportunity to take part and perform, even though her Down Syndrome might mean that learning the dance routines and performing them may have an added difficulty level for her…for all of the celebrities, it’s about their own self improvement within their abilities as well, I would think…

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I'm sure they will all improve. Really excited for Saturday

Yeah, me too. I'm always a bit frustrated by the launch show, it's really long and drawn out too. Just start the dancing, already!