I agree Suzi, I got very angry with it all! It was like "Jedward"!

John & Kristina 1,700,000
Tom & Camilla 890,000
Austin & Erin 700,000
Christine & Matt 500,000
Jodie & Ian 300,000
Lisa & Brendan 300,000
Rachel & Vincent 300,000
Cherie & James 200,000


Approx voting figures for the week Cherie went out.

Strictly Come Dancing set to split but it has 'nothing to do with X Factor'

Last updated at 11:48am on 18.11.09

 

Change: Darcey Bussell will also join the panel of judges

The BBC said the change, which will begin from Saturday December 5, will allow phone operators "more time" to manage the votes.

A spokesman for the broadcaster said the decision to split the show was made at the beginning of the series and had nothing to do with the scheduling conflict with primetime rival The X Factor on ITV1.

"As we near the end of the run, Strictly will split into a main show and a results show," he said.

"This split, which has been planned since the beginning of the series, allows more time to manage and verify the increased volume of calls that we expect to receive as the show reaches its conclusion.

"As a result of the split, the main show will start slightly earlier than usual."

The first instalment will start at 6.40pm and end at 8.10pm, and the result will be broadcast during the second show, beginning at 9.40pm.

The split shows will coincide with the arrival of guest judge Darcey Bussell. The ballerina joins Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon on the panel.

This is what I don't understand.  The BBC is getting all the flack about scheduling SCD opposite the X-Factor, but SCD has ALWAYS been on Saturdays at this time for all 7 series!  How long has X-Factor been running in that time slot? If my maths is correct, it's 6 series.  So, X-Factor is the one who chose to go up against SCD in the first place.

Not to mention that last year, SCD had the results show on the Sunday night.  It wasn't live, but it was broadcast on the Sunday.  This year, X-Factor has it's result show on the Sunday, and when it was first announced, ITV made a point to announce the results show was LIVE!

Just seems to me that it is X-Factor and ITV who have declared this "war of ratings" not SCD and the BBC.

It's a good move as it allows more time for people to vote as 15 minutes is not enough at all... the clash takes the mick as some people like both, the BBC have themselves to blame as they could have moved it but didn't and XF is dominating.

I think X-Factor would pull higher ratings than SCD no matter when it would be on, tbh.  I'm pretty surprised at how many viewers SCD have.  I love it, of course, but I can understand why other people would not.

X-Factor, Britian's Got Talent and even American Idol just doesn't appeal to me in the same way as SCD.  It's not the celebs either, as I would be just as happy if they had members of the public on.  In fact, I might like it even better!

Jade has not trained today and is seeing a physio about her injury, really hope she will be ok but I think it would be unfair if she got given another free pass on the others but hope she makes a quick recovery.

Well Jade isn't going to be able to dance the weekend anyway, she hasn't had time to learn the dance anyway.

I don't know how Laila is going to do it either, she's only trained for an hour today.

Hi Darlo, did you watch ITT, looks like Jade will be out of action again. Wonder how thats going to work Surely they can't give her another pass through to the next week, there will be murder if they do, plus with Laila being poorly too, its all a bit of a mess.

Claudia said on Monday that if a dancer is injured, they are given only one week and then are out of the competition.  Shame for Jade, especially as I really liked her, but as an athlete hoping to compete in the 2012 Olympics, SCD is just a bit of fun on the side.

Thanks Suzi, I didn't know that.

I can't see Jade being in anymore
Shame her Paso was supposed to be brilliant!

Ali says she's fitter than ever.
I'd just like to second that.
----------------------------
FOOD
Always the same or always game?

I'm really into food and trying new things.
In a restaurant I always go for something I haven't tried especially if it's Thai, Japanese or Italian food. I

would never eat frogs' legs or snails, though.

COOKING
Experimental or tried & tested?

I don't cook as often as I'd like but I really enjoy it. Opening a bottle of red wine and cooking lasagne or cottage pie is a great way to spend an evening.

I make a passable roast lamb with rosemary but my favourite food of all time is boiled egg and soldiers.

CLOTHES
M&S or D&G?

I have a couple of Alexander McQueen dresses for special occasions and a Balenciaga handbag that I bought six years ago - that's the extent of my designer wear. On the high street I know when I walk into French Connection I'll always get something. Zara and H&M are pretty good too.

...and she is dancing beautifully.

Anyone see Claudia trying to dance a runba with Len on ITT? Sooo funny

That was brilliant liverbird!  We were laughing at her too!  Mind, I would be the same - if Len hadn't dropped me on the floor first!

Her huge shoes on her little legs don't help! I was laughing out loud!

Shirley Bassey to appear on 'Strictly'

Thursday, November 19 2009, 19:50 GMT

By Oli Simpson

Dame Shirley Bassey has been confirmed to perform on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

The singer was revealed today as the special guest for Saturday's show.

Bassey will sing the Gary Barlow-penned 'This Time'. The Take That star also recently co-wrote a track with Stricly judge Alesha Dixon.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 6.50pm on BBC One.

My husband was working from home today and was watching with me and commented on her shoes.  I explained she was about 3 foot tall and always wears at least a 5 inch heel!

She is Lovely isn't she?

The programme wouldn't be the same without her Hicky - I thought she did a brilliant job on Saturday on the main show

Children in Need tonight, 7pm, BBC One.

The Strictly pro dancers will be OPENING the show at 7.00   

She's a natural isn't she?.
Think she should be running the main show as well.

Thanks for that, didn't know.
Will take a look see.

Pro's will be awesome. Alesha will also be singing To Love Again at some point also.

Not looking forward to seeing Bruce back tomorrow....

I'm with you on that My husband has also confessed that he might be a bit in love with Claudia mind you she is FABULOUS

She's very pretty and talented.



The ratings will probably drop down to 8-9 million again now he's back.



Jade and Ian keeping quiet, still no word whether she's dancing or not tomorrow?.

"Nice to see you, to see you, NOT!

(God thats mean....he's an old man, I should be ashamed of myself)

Claudia said last night that there will be an announcement today.  I'm not holding out much hope. 

Will be a shame if they have to drop out, she could have been the next Denise Lewis.


That catchphrase is very cringey, not a fan of the long waffling he does either.

Still no idea?, they won't know until tomorrow then...


Hope Jade is ok.

Alesha looks lovely.

Alesha and the SCD pros are on CIN now.

I enjoyed Cheryl last night  She's lovely.

Just seen them Darlo

Didn't see her performance. Cheryl is friends with her they had a right laugh when doing the Mount Kilimanjaro thing so no show rivarly whatsoever between them.



What an opening to the show.

 Darlo

Watching Children in need now.
Alesha looking Beautiful as usual.

I liked the look Matt Cutler gave to Alesha.