http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pre...09/index.shtml

Several Strictly press releases there.

Notably, Alesha Dixon is confirmed as joining the judges (as will Darcy Bussell later on) but not clear about Arlene, who may have been moved sideways to 'The One Show".

G

I really don't think Alesha should be on the panel. She's nice enough but not worthy of being a judge IMO. I really hope they don't ruin this show. I liked Strictly the way it was!

Darcey Bussell as a judge makes sense.

Alesha Dixon doesn't. I know she was a very popular and good contestant but you can't compare one series of SCD to Arlene's years of experience. If they had to replace Arlene, it should have been with another experienced, professional dancer/choreographer.

Very, VERY bad decision by the Beeb!

If they wanted a past contestant then they should have gone for Emma Bunton.

Darcey is a great choice however. Its a shame Arlene has gone but the show was seriously stale guys and it needed something to lift it.

I agree with that but I'd rather Darcey were the new judge than Alesha. I'm not saying that changes weren't needed but they should be good changes and replacing someone of Arlene's experience and knowledge with a judge who barely knows anything about dancing doesn't strike me as a good decision. She should have been replaced with someone who's a professional dancer or choreographer rather than Alesha. I like Alesha but she'd be better as a mentor than as a judge.

I was looking for a sign that article was a joke Well, it might all turn out all right in the end, but I can't really see it working.

I am also excited about Darcey!

I'm glad Arlene's been replaced, but I'm not sure it's with the right person.

I'm sure Alesha can empathise with this year's contestants but does she know what to look for technically - at all?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

I'm absolutely gutted (in the sense that I can be gutted about TV, lol) and just lost a little respect in Alesha - and I'm one of her die hards! I'd be shocked if this doesn't really damage her career.

I really adore Alesha but I'm a bit concerned now for the new series and for a backlash against Alesha herself. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to take Alesha judging seriously. I mean, we have professional dancers with years of dancing and choreographical experience behind them, and she's going to judge their work with the celebrities? If I were the professionals I'd find it all a bit insulting. I mean I hope it works and she's a 'performance' judge or something, but to the replace her with Darcey makes it seem its a full on judge role.

Darcey,,,,,absolutely fine with that. I've heard that she doesn't suffer fools gladly though

Exactly. She'd be good as a mentor and/or roving reporter, visiting the contestants each week during training, giving them moral support and reporting on how well they're doing. She's the wrong choice to be a judge though.

OK - so say Matt gets a partner who is just about ok, or, for some reason, unpopular with the viewers, but Alesha - with her lack of knowledge of dance technique - says she thinks the performance was great and awards a high mark, how long before everyone cries "FIX", she's just favouring 'her' Matthew!!!???

I'm sure the pro dancers on the show will be offended to have her comment on the routines they have put together and taught.

Anton was asked about this a few weeks ago on The Wright Stuff and didn't seem at all happy at the idea of Alesha being a judge.

If Anton isn't happy, I can't imagine many of the other pros being happy.

Cant say I am sorry to see the back of Arlene. I like Alesha but not sure this is a good move at all, but time will tell. Alesha would have been more suited to Tess's role I think chatting to the dancers in the back afterall she has been there and done that. However the choice of replacement for Arlene could have been a lot worse (Kelly Brook springs to mind) and I will not be mourning Arlene one little bit, she sealed her own fate with some of the things she said both on and off the show last series.

I think this will really damage the show, not just Alesha's career - what a terrible decision by the BBC. I for one won't watch in real time, I'll record it and ff through the judges comments as her input will make the judges input even less credible than before. At least before all 4 were well known and respected in the field of dance. Darcey will be fantastic, lets hope the credibility of the show hasn't been totally ruined by the time she arrives - she might be able to salvage some of it.

Right. Arlene going is probably ok. But with Alesha replacing her? No. Why was it Alesha, out of principal, it could have been Tom..or Rachel or Austin?! Why was she the favoured one.

As much as I like her and thought she was great on SCD, she is NOT a judge. The bias could be huge, and I doubt the professionals will want to be criticised by an amateur.

However, yay for Darcey being a guest judge!

Don't the BBC ever bother themselves with what the fans want? I don't think anyone, even Alesha's biggest fans, think this is a good idea. And we've all been saying that for weeks now, ever since the story first broke that Arlene was being sacked and replaced by Alesha. Surely the powers that be have enough sense to realise that if the viewers of a show think something is a very bad idea, then the ratings are going to fall? Or am I being ridiculously naive here? Oh well, I guess I'm going to be watching X-Factor this year.

I'm slightly worried by these bits in that press pack:

"Darcey has impeccable credentials as a dancer and, as a guest judge, she will bring an exciting new dimension to the last few weeks of the Strictly competition."

Exciting new dimension? Please say they don't have to add ballet to it or something silly. I'm not slating Darcey as I think she's amazing, but it's a ballroom and latin dancing show..or it was when I last looked.

"These changes are part of the new format of this year's show – more will be revealed later in the year."

More? Wow. The BBC are planning a complete revamp and hash of this series then.

I agree...I thought it wouldn't happen even if it was going to as a result as the negative reaction (I thought it would have put Alesha off doing it at least).

I guess last year when they were bringing in new pros though we were pretty negative about it but it turned out alright, so maybe this will? ...sorry....but still struggling with it.

Oh God why???

Darcey yes

Alesha no!

I saw this.....Anton also said there was no need to make changes as the fans love the show as it is and the people who called in agreed with him!

I really like Alesha- but not too sure that she should be a judge.

Darcey - yes, she has dance experience, even if not ballroom or Latin.

We'll have to wait and see

I am questioning this decision too. Yes Alesha has a great personality and was an amazing dancer on the show but surely it would have made sense to replace Arlene with one of the pro dancers like Karen? I can't imagine Alesha having to criticise the celebs (and indirectly the pros) - especially when it comes to Mr Cutler.

Why????


Because Alesha is (still) much more popular than Tom or Rachel!

I'm really shocked, but I'm willing to give Alesha a chance - who knows what her role as a judge will be? There may be other changes planned we don't know about yet.

Darcey is nice enough, but I'd rather have someone with ballroom experience join the judges.

Buddy, I was just pointing out that out of the same principal, ANY past contestant who did fairly well could have been picked for the job..and I put Alesha rather than Austin, but the principal is still there Also, will Alesha still be liked after this?! Probably, but I think many people are going to be a bit annoyed by this decision, although it obviously affects the professionals and celebs more.

Still worried about the bit saying about further changes will be revealed later in the year...intriguing, but they're pretty much killing SCD.