Hard agree - something is off with the whole show this year? I can't put my finger on what it is. It could just be all the restrictions that remain in place with the show but feels like more than that.
I don't think it's Dianne's fault she has had bad luck with partners for the last two years with Max and Robert. Rev enjoyed his time on the show with her, Joe obviously did and do we have any reason to believe Dev didn't? I thought that was just the case of a shock early exit.
Imo the show hasn’t felt right since the new production team took over from Louise Rainbow in 2019. The lack of studio audience the last two years along with other restrictions aren’t helping. But there’s something else I can’t figure out
With Dev I still think something was off that night and it’s a hill I’m very prepared to die on. How wooden David James got further than him I’ll never know.
I also don’t think we can really judge partnerships that only last four shows. Yes sometimes people just hit it off right away but at the end of the day the pros are simply there to do a job.
I imagine they’ve all had professional partners pre-strictly who’ve been a great friend and partners who’ve simply been a colleague who’ve they’ve danced with for a bit and moved on.
I do think had Rob not had health issues they’d have got to at least Halloween maybe another week beyond it. He certainly wasn’t awful and did give me the impression he’d be quite good at traditional ballroom but I guess we’ll never know.
As for her next year…. I doubt she’ll do January/feb arena tour. I can see her going back home to Australia possibly with Joe if borders/restrictions have eased. I think she’ll want to try so she can meet Zofia and January would be a good opportunity for her especially if the tour is just going to be her dancing in the background again. Her doing BTF/POD/pro tour wouldn’t necessarily mean she’s continuing on as a pro. Pasha announced his departure but still did a 2019 touring season.