Hmm... unlike previous rumours, Alesha and the BBC's non committal statements concerns me. Was Alesha scheduled to be on GMTV? And why has the story made it to the BBC's own website?
I won't repeat what's already been said, but I
really hope this isn't true
I can live with Arlene - I find Len the most annoying judge and he's the one I'd replace. The show doesn't need another "man on the Clapham omnibus" type judge; Bruno already serves that purpose.
I agree with most of Cuddlyhippo's post, especially the bits in bold:
Originally Posted by Cuddlyhippo:
“I’m just a SCD fan and have no experience at all in respect to the world of ballroom and latin. However as much as I love Alesha (I was one of her newer fans after Strictly), I absolutely agree that her replacing Arlene (and I can't stand the woman) would be TERRIBLY WRONG.
Since winning Strictly Alesha has made some smart moves by not rushing to accept anything and everything offered to her but has instead concentrated on her music and charity work with the odd bit of presenting.
I fear if she takes on this role her hard earned respect and popularity will suffer a backlash. Comments to some of the news stories have already started talking about her becoming over-exposed and there have been some comparisons between her and Mylene Klass. They may not be to everyone’s cup a tea, but there are many out there who seem to have a problem with likeable, down to earth, well-spoken, talented and beautiful women.
As much as Strictly is an entertainment programme, it is also about the dancing too.
Does the BBC not realise that some viewers like me actually dislike the genre of reality TV, but enjoy watching SCD because it’s not just about somebody trying to get on TV because they want to be famous. Ok some of the Celebs may well be trying to bolster their flagging careers but in order to do that they have to work at it by learning a skill and being put through their paces by an expert in that field (the same reason why I loved C4’s The Games), and judging by the hours of training some of them do, it’s not an easy task.
I know that the BBC are trying to win the ratings war against X Factor but stay credible by doing it with somebody who has knowledge and experience in that field. Don’t do it just for the sake of it.
I’d hate to see any of the current Pro line up go, but I also understand why they would want to refresh the format slightly as we’ve had the same judges and presenters since it started and apart from Brian and Kristina, who were additions, and Hayley who replaced Nicole, the rest of the line up has been the same for the past 3 series.
If they are to replace Arlene and want a female presence in the judging line up, I think that they would be better off having somebody else with technical dance knowledge. But does that replacement really have to be well-known? After all neither Bruno nor Craig were well known until Strictly.
I think having another person who is well respected in the ‘dance’ world either as a judge or former pro would even out the balance between performance and technicality after all its well known that Arlene, Bruno and Craig’s background are from theatre and therefore they tend to judge more on performance, whereas Len has been a judge in the dance world and looks more at the technical aspect.
I also think it’s too soon to have Camilla on as a judge plus I fear her judgement maybe clouded by her professional and personal relationships with the other pros, and now that its been talked about that Karen’s dancing in the next series, perhaps they could consider one of the female pros from the first 3 series who have since left, even Nicole, (although highly unlikely) or perhaps even that lady (don’t know her name) who provided the expert commentary with Philip Jackson for the SCD 5 Finals.
Like many of you, I'd much rather see Alesha back presenting than judging.”
