I completely agree, and I like SCD the way it is too...

I think you're right.


Totally agree, I think most viewers like it the way it is.

i dont see a reason why the judges need to change, they should replace bruce with john barroman if they wanna give the show a younger vibe and have more younger celebs and more younger pro's

Thanks Rated - I can't get Sky here at work so I'll have to have a nose at home sometime.

Could you have a pro that's been on the show taking over as a judge though? Seeing as they've danced with/competed against/been engaged to some of the other pros?

Could Camilla for example judge Ian/Brendan without any personal bias.

Same if Flavia was to judge Vincent or Anton judging Erin.

I'm sure they would be strictly (no pun intended) professional but you would always have that underlying question if a dance got more marks from that judge than you thought it should and we all know what happens on DS when that occurs.

No one has actually said Arlene is sacked........and it is all speculation at this stage

But no one denying the reports is suspicious

I always thought Alesha would eventually have some permanent role with SCD,maybe involved with ITT/ backstage stuff or presenting on the main show.
.........and this would only be if/when her music career start's to decline.

Alesha as a judge is a bit out of left field for me and you've got to think of her judging pro's like Matt C and Ian.......for one they are her friend's and quite obviously very talented pro dancers,Alesha does not come from a background of professional Ballroom/Latin dancing........

I'm still tending to think her role won't be as a judge

maybe shes trying to re-negotiate those 3 Saturdays in Oct/Nov- so that might explain the evasiveness??

Much as I like her I DO NOT think she's be suitable as a judge...

Only if they want people to stop watching.

He's too irritating for some and I think they may hurt the show.

As for Alesha - I could really see her judging for performance but only if the other judges were ballroom experts and marking the technical. As they aren't her role seems unnecessary.

For the love of god NO!!!!!! As much as many of the forumites love her many of us don't and it would certainly ruin a great show - Have the BBC never heard of the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"? Clearly with the ratings it's getting it isn't broke so why on earth do they need to change it?

They need someone who is going to be unbiased and actually has some idea of what they're talking about. If they're that desperate to get the younger audience in, why not hire the choreographer from Diversity (or flawless comes to that) and replace one of the others with a female judge. I cannot believe there are no younger either pro dancers or female judges out there who wouldn't bite the arm off the BBC for this chance.

I also got that impression Fairygirl, especially the way she talks about being part of the Strictly family.

But maybe it isn't decided yet?

I wonder if Brucie and Tess are still undecided whether to accept their paycuts or leave, which could create an opening for Alesha presenting (which I would prefer over judging).

I've got to agree, John Barrowman would kill it for me!

Lots of people have mentionned Gethin as a Brucie replacement, and I think he could be a good choice.

Actually, I'd like to see Gethin and Alesha presenting!

No way on earth John Barrowman ,the one time he was on ITT with Alesha even she couldn't get a word in,it's not all about him

Great "call" for Gethin and Alesha

I agree. What sort of judge would Alesha make anyway? I can imagine her jumping up and down and cackling maniacally throughout - regardless of whether she thinks the dance is any good

I do think Gethin would do it well although I also have a soft spot for Aled as a presenter. I think he'd fit the ethos of the show quite well.

u make a good point,if it was made clear that alesha was judging purely the "performance aspect" then it could work actually, but she would not have any say on technical issues at all!

ummmmm interesting!

Being a lovely girl doesn't qualify you to judge ballroom and latin dancing that you've no proper training in.

I hope very much that she won't be a judge. Camilla would be great though!

i used to think barroman was a complete T W A T but he presented that saturday night show live for 6 weeks or so a few weeks back and i thought he was very good my opinion changed of him

Another dissenter here, I'm afraid

You rather oversimplify the public's preferences. What many people forget is that Strictly isn't just a dance competition - even though many people might like it to be. Like all reality shows, it is also about personality. That helped Alesha win - ditto Mark, Tom, Jill, Darren and Natasha. And that personality is inextricably linked to the other crucial factor: showmanship. The judges may get themselves in a lather about technicalities like heel turns and chassis, but they mean nothing to the general public. They'd rather watch a great performance from a contestant who appears to be loving what they're doing than someone who is obsessed with mastering minute technicalities and takes it very seriously.

If this rumour is true, I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. I certainly think the judges' panel needs refreshing - there was some appalling favouritism last year. Arlene's behaviour sunk to a new low - lying about the dance history of her own favourite to promote them above others. The public vote last year was a deliberate snub to the judges after the excesses of Sergeant-gate and the best way of ensuring no repeat performance is to change the panel.

Although I would personally prefer Karen on the juding panel and Alesha co-hosting with the gorgeous Gethin ...

I think Alesha would make a fantastic presenter, much better than Tess! Her being a judge is a ridiculous idea though, they'd be much better off getting one of the pro's to fill that role.

Also, much as I can't stand Arlene, it doesn't seem fair that she's being replaced due to her age while Len and Brucie get to stay If they're going to start kicking people off because they're too old, it shouldn't be done in such a sexist way.

i think arlenes atitude to john seargent last year has made her an easy target to sack!

i think the show does need freshening up though it was getting tedius last year!

i would like bruce and tess gone, and at least 1 new judge and some new pro's

O.K so if Arlene is on her bike so to speak Then

Karen is dancing on the new series. So that's Karen out of the equation. And Alesha has a tour to do

Think beack to when Camilla revealed that she wouldn't be doing Strictly as a dancer- that may have been a hint that something was in the air for her

She knows ballroom & latin- plus is a good choreographer- and I don't think she'd give tens out like sweeties

Just out of interest where does the info about Karen coming back come from? She seemed to be a bit dubious about it last year (having Gary Rhodes as a partner will do that I suspect).

I do think Camilla will be a good replacement but due to the fact she dances professionally with Ian, is mates with a lot of the other Strictly pros (especially Lilia whom she says is her best mate on the show) and used to engaged to Brendan - will she be seen to be impartial if she is?

I hope this is true. I cant stand Arlene she talks a load of nonsense.

I think Camilla would have discussed it with the other professionals- and seen what they would think. If anything she'd be a "pros judge". She's been with the show since the start.

The information re Karen has been given to me-she apparently has told her salsa classes that she is back on the floor in September

I wonder if there's another reason the diversity conscious BBC want A.D. on TV?