Strictly Come Dancing 2022 #2

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soccergirl said:
Honestly, having followed some Ranvannis on twitter last year, the one thing I can say to AJ and Kai shippers is: thank your lucky stars this was ended by the start of February. The Ranvannis were clinging on till Gio brutally ended their dreams in July by posing with Maura!

And as others have said, when all you have to go on is body language and #barebackrubbing done by experienced professional performers, it is best to cut and run.
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Far be it for me to defend the shippers but generally the belief that these dancing partnerships are secret love affairs are never just based on body language. In the two examples you brought up up both the two female celebrities liked social media posts speculating they're a couple and AJ even re-posted AJ/Kai shipping videos. They were deliberately stoking up the fans who thought there was something between them and their male pros.

I know she's not popular in Strictly circles (and in general I guess) but I definitely believe Laura Whitmore was correct that the shows makers try and create the impression that some of their partnerships are romantic as the know that increases viewer engagement and press attention. Look at some of the themes of the dances Rose and Gio had this year; the breakdown of a relationship just as he'd conveniently broken up with Maura Higgins, dancing to Love Is An Open Door for musicals week and the Romeo & Juliet dance that was supposed to represent their relationship. Even Tess' interviewing certain couples often had a nudge nudge wink flavour to it to deliberately suggest their partnership was more than a professional one.

I don't at all condone the toxic behavior of the fans you mentioned when it hits them that what they believed was wrong...but I can't fault them for believing there was something going when everyone involved did everything they could to whip them into a frenzy.

LennyBriscoe said:
Do we reckon Curtis was egging him on to leave? Secretly jealous of AJ’s popularity on Strictly, tried to convince him that they’d be the new Ant and Dec (or maybe Sam and Mark at a push?)

Maybe he even though Strictly would beg him to stay but they were like “laters”.

I can’t see how he can’t be disappointed. If they’re both dancers and so is the girlfriend then you think in lockdown they could have been an Internet hit but instead she was burned and Curtis three-wheeled on a load of interviews about it.
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I've been told that for a few years now that Strictly's bosses have been wanting to slowly phase out some of their stalwarts to bring in the next generation. I can believe that given some of the exits and signings of new, younger, more diverse pros recently. Even if that's not true being a Strictly pro has never been the most secure job position and most never do anything of note after they're dropped. I can easily see why people like Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard would want to leave on their own terms when their profile is at their peak rather than wait to be dropped and find opportunities have passed them by. I know a lot of people like to think that they both kicking themselves and desperate to go back but honestly I don't get those vibes from either of them.

AJ has claimed that both he and Curtis had pitched a dance related show to the BBC that was almost commissioned but it would have been impossible to do while Covid is still prevalent. I assume that ship has now sailed but I imagine that even if they had got their show off the ground AJ would still be on path he's on now. The idea that his evil brother convinced him to quit and join him on the reality TV circuit makes a good story but the reality seems to be that it's the complete opposite. In fact it was AJ who convinced a grudging Curtis to go on Love Island and he seems much more enthusiastic about reality TV and influencing in general whereas Curtis seems to be very burned out on it. It may seem a waste but AJ is certainly not the only Strictly pro that will go down this road. Giovanni has already spelled out to us that when he leaves Strictly that's the route he'll go and I,m sure a few others would too.
 
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Knight of Galador said:
The idea that his evil brother convinced him to quit and join him on the reality TV circuit makes a good story but the reality seems to be that it's the complete opposite. In fact it was AJ who convinced a grudging Curtis to go on Love Island and he seems much more enthusiastic about reality TV and influencing in general whereas Curtis seems to be very burned out on it. It may seem a waste but AJ is certainly not the only Strictly pro that will go down this road. Giovanni has already spelled out to us that when he leaves Strictly that's the route he'll go and I,m sure a few others would too.
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This has been an informative Strictly evening, thank you. I wasn’t sure of what exactly had happened which is why I asked “do we think…”.

If the BBC were about to commission him but COVID happened then surely should there be opportunities for him/them now things are getting back on track. Maybe if they do The Greatest Dancer again? The only thing that could have changed their minds I guess is the National laughing stock they made of themselves on Hollyoaks. And the sexy sibling photo shoot. And the advert they did for odour eater type things on Insta…

It was unfortunate timing for them and millions of others but ultimately, I did like him on Strictly. Don’t watch LI but I do like Curtis’s eyebrows so I genuinely wish them well.
 
LennyBriscoe said:
Or 3) completely knackered and overwhelmed at the tit show his first series turned into because of obsessive people?

I don’t think he owes anyone anything. Unless it can be shown he misled AJ or hurt her then I’m thinking he hasn’t done anything wrong 🤷🏻‍♀️. He’s worked with Maisie for about 6 weeks! Or he was maybe apprehensive to go over the top in case idiots turned on her like they did on Nadiya.

I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that a grown woman and mother would stop her partner of 5 minutes from wishing someone the happy birthday they want to on IG!!
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No I totally agree with you, just throwing theories about not saying anything for definite. They must all be sick and tired of it- I do feel AJ could’ve shut this down sooner. Not that she should have to but everyone’s quick to jump at Kai ( myself included at times) but AJ has let them take an absolute load from the media and her fans most of all.
 
I can definitely see Jowita getting a partner assuming heights work etc but I still think Cameron might be a little young this series, only because he still looks like a teenager. Unless there’s another teen like Tilly signed up specifically to partner with him I think he’d look silly with some of the woman who’ve been on over the years.

I’m not that keen on Luba to be quite honest she’s a great dancer but I feel she sometimes comes across a little bit aloof. I’ve heard people who’ve come across her in real life say she can be a bit unfriendly (they possibly just caught her on a bad day) If she has only got a part time hire situation I guess she must be happy with it or surely she’d move on.

It will be interesting to see who does and doesn’t return and if anyone new comes in. I think we are in a transition period where the next couple of years we’ll see the current pros be replaced by younger dancers.
 
Knight of Galador said:
Far be it for me to defend the shippers but generally the belief that these dancing partnerships are secret love affairs are never just based on body language. In the two examples you brought up up both the two female celebrities liked social media posts speculating they're a couple and AJ even re-posted AJ/Kai shipping videos. They were deliberately stoking up the fans who thought there was something between them and their male pros.

I know she's not popular in Strictly circles (and in general I guess) but I definitely believe Laura Whitmore was correct that the shows makers try and create the impression that some of their partnerships are romantic as the know that increases viewer engagement and press attention. Look at some of the themes of the dances Rose and Gio had this year; the breakdown of a relationship just as he'd conveniently broken up with Maura Higgins, dancing to Love Is An Open Door for musicals week and the Romeo & Juliet dance that was supposed to represent their relationship. Even Tess' interviewing certain couples often had a nudge nudge wink flavour to it to deliberately suggest their partnership was more than a professional one.

I don't at all condone the toxic behavior of the fans you mentioned when it hits them that what they believed was wrong...but I can't fault them for believing there was something going when everyone involved did everything they could to whip them into a frenzy.
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No, I totally agree that things were whipped up. Without revisiting the Ranvanni mess, I remember Gio retweeted or liked a romantic shipping video about them after the show, and I saw DS people saying Kai had liked romantic stuff too - the reality is they probably half-looked at stuff while scrolling through their mentions and didn't take in the content.
I agree the theming of the Gio/Rose dances was a little too on-the-nose after his break-up. I also very cynically wonder if he was aware how much better his partnership would come off if he were single..

Anyway, girding my loins to ship Katya and Dominic Cummings next year!

Has anyone met any of the strictly stars? Good/ bad experiences? I’m so curious!
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I have already relived my glory days here of bumping into AJ (of Trish fame, not Odudu) at the train station and him being quite sweet, though that was his first season. My friend's dad also met Giovanni through work and said he was nice. No scandal, sadly!
 
raghoney said:
Careful what you wish for, we’re only on chapter 1! I’m excited for the ‘visiting the tour’ part, where Nadiya flies into a fit of jealous rage seeing AJ outshining her from the audience, dumps Kai on the spot, and John punches him for good measure
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And don't forget the bit where John rips Nadiya's dress off and presents it to AJ on a velvet pillow, then Rose and Giovanni stop the show to hand her the glitterball.

Oh, and Maisie makes her speech. We mustn't forget Maisie's speech.
 
Fillyjonk said:
And don't forget the bit where John rips Nadiya's dress off and presents it to AJ on a velvet pillow, then Rose and Giovanni stop the show to hand her the glitterball.

Oh, and Maisie makes her speech. We mustn't forget Maisie's speech.
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A criminal investigation is launched into the under-marking of her dances throughout the season, all judges are found guilty of discrimination, racism and interfering with true love, and AJ is announced as new judge, host and professional on the show. Nadiya is demoted to janitor.
 
LennyBriscoe said:
This has been an informative Strictly evening, thank you. I wasn’t sure of what exactly had happened which is why I asked “do we think…”.

If the BBC were about to commission him but COVID happened then surely should there be opportunities for him/them now things are getting back on track. Maybe if they do The Greatest Dancer again? The only thing that could have changed their minds I guess is the National laughing stock they made of themselves on Hollyoaks. And the sexy sibling photo shoot. And the advert they did for odour eater type things on Insta…

It was unfortunate timing for them and millions of others but ultimately, I did like him on Strictly. Don’t watch LI but I do like Curtis’s eyebrows so I genuinely wish them well.
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I’m not sure if you’re wishing Curtis & AJ well or just Curtis’s eyebrows
 
I went to the see the closing night of the tour and it was such a fun and emotional night. Nikita is an absolute sweetheart and kept apologising for crying, Maisie and Kai dance so well together and Rose and Giovanni’s couples choice really is magical to watch. Also, Love Story was beautiful and I, like many others in the arena, cried as Johannes received a standing ovation.

Do I believe all the “friends for life” stuff? No. They’re all off back to their real lives now. But I do think there was a lot of genuine love and affection amongst the couples and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re one of the rare casts, like the 2016 one, where friendships do last (Ed Balls was in the audience last night and got a sweet shout-out from Katya). So call me optimistic but I could see Rose and Giovanni, John and Johannes and Tilly and Nikita keeping in touch over the years to come 🤷🏽‍♀️

Also, Bruno reminded us all how pointless he is as a judge. I have zero desire to see him back on the main show ever again.
 
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