Okay, I really wasn't expecting the rumour of Alesha being a judge to be true - but it is.

Personally I'd have liked her to take on Tess's role and that a new fifth judge with ballroom/Latin experience was announced, so I agree Alesha as a judge is not going to be popular with a lot of people.

But hey, I'm happy to see Alesha back even as a judge and I'm quite willing to give her a chance. After all, if the BBC were going to go down this road I can't think of any other former contestant I would rather have. We all know how down to earth she is and I'm sure she will be brave enough to say what she thinks - good or bad - and I'm sure she'll say exactly what she wants to say.

I can't wait for the show to start in September and I know I will be watching SCD Saturday and Sunday and ITT from Monday to Friday - as usual - and I'll be tapping away in here come what may!

Bring it on!

Bravo well said Buddy, I couldn't agree more.

Let the entertainment begin. WHOOP

Whew! Thanks MissFliss - at least one person agrees with me!

Alisha as a judge is a completely IDIOTIC decision by the BBC.

She is not qualified in the slightest to be a judge. Whoopiedoo she has won a series, so what? So have plenty of others. This just screams of the Beeb trying to copy XFactors appointment of Cheryl Cole. It will end in failure.

Although I will be watching, I predict this series will have the lowest ratings yet, UNLESS they have some TOP CLASS contenstants.

Having supported her music career for the last ten bloody years, I'm irritated that she's now decided Strictly is more important than it. So if they had to pick an ex contestant, although I adore Alesha's personality, I wish they had picked one with no career to prioritise.

So! its there show they can what they like with it, so we like it or lump it.

Its still the best enterainment show on TV so why grouse. the figures will still be the same, regardless of what they do.

I hope you realise you're making me feel all guilty and unreasonable!

You're right of course, we should give her a chance. But I really don't think the Beeb has done the right thing and it's a shame for Alesha because I've a feeling she's the one who's going to suffer for it. It's not a good decision but we'll just have to wait and see what happens when the new series starts.

I'm looking forward to seeing Alesha on strictly once again, the woman is fantastic! Love her!

Nah - the BBC have made yet another stupid change to the SCD format - too many to list but you know what I mean!

TPTB clearly pay no attention to the huge lists of excellent suggestions we post on here in the hope one will get chosen!

But I like Alesha and that's who we've got - so hey ho!

I agree with most people that it is great to see Alesha back on Strictly because she is a very likeable person and is also glamorous, just like SCD.

However, her role as judge kind of leaves me cold because what experience and knowledge do she have as a dancer/coreographer apart from winning the thing a couple of years ago.

It is a good thing that the BBC have tweaked the format/judging panel but i just hope it dosen't fall flat and cause a backlash against the show, personally because SCD is one of my favourite shows. Why fix something that is not broke?

I feel that TPTB have only done this to try and attract younger viewers. Why? both SCD and TXF get virtually the same amount of viewers (give or take a million).

Sorry memmh I didnn't mean too. have a {{hug}} to make up for it. LOL

This is from another thread - I think it makes a lot of sense even if it scare the pants off me.

that is one of the most sensible posts I have read for a long time, I said on the thread it came from as well.

Well as it won't stop you watching - who will it stop

Give Alesha a chance!

Yes we should give the girl a chance.

Some one as just worked out that it should start on the 18th or 19th september depending if they have got the days correct.

It says on a press realise Friday and Saturday nights

This smacks of complete ageism and sexism.

The sole female member of the judging panel, someone who has worked in dance for most of her professional career, is replaced by a popular former contestant, who is also over thirty years younger.

Seems to be a crime to be an older woman on tv.

This stinks!

Where does it say that Fliss?

I have to admit that I could see this coming but what a horrendous decision. Whilst I agree that SCD is entertaining, it is primarily a dance competion and should be judged as such but after the John Sergeant debacle clearly the public at large have different ideas. All JS managed to do last year was annoy the pants off me and cost more worthy dancers a place in the following weeks competition. Same happened with Dancing on Ice and the Nolan woman. So how will Alesha judge these dances that she has little technical knowledge about when you consider that she danced one or maybe two versions of each style? Being able to do a dance and being able to judge a dance are two entirely different animals and the BEEB should have got somebody qualified in to do the job, or not sacked Arlene who as one of this countries best and most successful choreographers was more than up to the job.

As I've said in the MMAAA thread and elsewhere, I'm still not convinced it's a right career move for Alesha but I will still support her decision.

However I am looking forward to seeing her on SCD as it does need livening up, especially after last year when I only seemed to look forward to the pro-dances in the end.

Having read posts on other forums, and the fact that she'll be there to judge on performance, perhaps it will work out alright in the end.

I do remember her commenting on ITT when Matt and Flavia had been voted to stay in the week after his distasterous performance that she understood why the public had voted that way.

She was very tactful on how she worded her comments and I also remember her commenting on JS on Loose Women about how normally when it comes down to the quarter finals it becomes more serious as the competition starts to hot up - or something to that effect anyway.

I think whatever happens her comments will be constructive and supportive because she's been through it. Apparently she use to coach gymnastics, so perhaps she will take some of the 'encouragment' skills learnt when she's commenting? After all when you coach somebody, and they're c**p (is this allowed on here in full?) you don't tell them that knowing all the hard work they've put into training as they know it would crush them.

Sorry I know what I want to say but can't quite get it across in words!

Ridiculous decision. If I was a celeb I would ignore her "critiques" (which let's be honest, won't include much criticism as she knows what it feels like to be in that position) because she certainly isn't qualified enough.

Actually it's our show, paid for by our licence fees!

Clearly they're trying to replicate Cheryl Cole's success on X Factor having been a reality contestant herself but I don't think it will go that well. The difference between Cheryl and Alisha is that Cheryl has had a lot of success in the music industry whereas Alisha hasn't done anything in the dancing industry. That said, I wish her all the best

at least it now means I can stop watching SCD now. Can't stand her.

*waves bye bye*

If she does a turn each week, I'm outta here

Obviously career going well then Alesha