I get what you mean. I feel the bosses are being a bit silly but it is their job to keep things fresh and get the headlines. If compared to other TV shows on TV SCD is actually one of the few who has been the same from the beginning. Even though changing the judges isn't fabulous, the format was getting very tired and it does need a new injection of life.

Apologies, I meant why did the BBC single out Arlene, not yourself. Craig (alegedly) made some comments outwith the show as well if that's the criteria that is being used.

Would not mind seeing Alesha as a co-presenter, but she's not qualified to be a judge. Arlene's new role is superfluous unless they are going to stop doing Claudia's show.

Judging by what i've read so far, a wave of resentment seems more likely than a 'new injection of life'...Ho hum!

I agree with you. Never in a million years would I have believed the rumours could be true about Alesha becoming a judge for the reasons you have given.

My only consolation is that if I had to choose someone with a 'non-professional dance background', my personal choice would have been Alesha as at least she has been through the whole process.

Ooops I see what you mean!

I think they all did to some extent, but Arlene seemed to be running a one woman campaign to me! She clearly was on the side of SCD being a dancing competition more than an entertainment show (as do I), but imho she didn't do herself or the show any favours by being so blatantly and publicly vocal!

i'll miss her too! she had so much experience and you can tell she REALLY loved it.
dont get me wrong i like alesha but what exactly does she know? no where near as much as arlene.
very strange?

anyway why is she getting the boot when tess is still there? its beyond me! thank god for brucie and craig!

I'll miss Arlene I know she could be a nightmare sometimes but I didn't mind her and shes like part of the furniture. She also gave tips for improvement which the other judges rarely do.

I wont glad to see the back of her and her pathectic attempts at wit

At least her criticism was informed and constructive - unlike her replacement.

Alesha is not a trained dancer - how the hell can anyone think she is qualified to advise/judge other competitors.

Alesha isn't even a very good novice dancer IMO.

But she was the best we ever had win strictly, they are all novice dancers,

There are lots of calls for us to 'wait and see' and, obviously, we have no choice in that. The fact remains though that a lot of us think they've sacrificed the wrong judge and picked the wrong replacement.

It was primarily Arlene, with her emphasis on understanding and interpreting the spirit of a dance (rather than just its presentation), who finally managed to get memorable performances out of Darren Gough, Gethin and Matt Dawson.

I didn't agree with everything Arlene said and I loved every minute of Alesha on Strictly but I can't help thinking that this is just the wrong decision.

When does the new series start? Not for a while. I expect the BBC has hopes that this will all have been forgottten about by then.

I think Alesha Dixon should be ashamed of herself for ousting Arlene from SCD. Just remember what happened to you dear.

It's just stupid. How can Alesha judge others when she is not a dancer or knows much about dancing!!!

If people are as furious about this as I am then we should do something about it. Either boycott the show or, perhaps better still, don't vote at all. That should hit the BBC where it hurts.

I haven't seen one post saying it was the right decision or anything remotely like it.

I wonder if the BBC are monitoring the public's reaction to the announcement? I do hope so.

If Simon Cowell can change his mind about Kelly Brook on BGT then maybe the BBC can change its mind too. Unlikely I know, but who knows?

Agree with you there Minty. So unfortunatly the Sun got it right again I was hoping it was not true. Alesha is a lovely girl but she is not qualified to judge dancing.
Yes Arlene could be annoying sometimes but so are all the judges. However Arlene had a wealth of experience and knowledge and I respected that.
If Arlene was to be replaced it should have been with Karen or Camilla who know what they are talking about.
Feel this is a backward step for SCD and feel really sorry for Arlene in all this.

Arlene was my least favourite of the judges but at least she was qualified to judge and I would far rather have her on the panel than Alesha - who is basically just a pretty face and a hugely irritating laugh.

I would really like to hear exactly why the BBC think Alesha can judge a dancing competition. "We hope to attract a younger audience" is such a lame reason. SCD already has a huge audience - young and old.

I don't even think she's the best we've ever had. Regardless, she isn't qualified to be a judge.

It seems as if lunatics have taken over the asylum. Len and Bruno still there along with ALESHA! and Arlene, the best and fairest judge, ousted.

I have to say I am displeased on two counts; First that Arlene has been unfairly sacked and secondly that they have replaced her with someone who has no qualifications for the job.

I think we should all stop voting. If they lose income from the phone votes it might change their minds.

I like arlene. I wish they would keep her on. Why not have 5 judges if they absolutely have to have alesha (although why is beyond me - she is not qualified). But, the rumours have been about for ages. Was Arlene sacked or does she actually have other pans in the fire and couldn't fullfill commitments or didn't want to? Anyone know?

Arlene hasn't been sacked as such; the contracts are renewable at certain intervals, so none of the participants (judges, presenters or pro dancers) know if they will be doing another show until they are told.

However, I agree she is being replaced by someone totally unqualified and unsuitable.

Stopping the phone votes won't make one iota of difference to the beeb, because they don't make any money from the votes. The cost all goes to the company who run the phone voting system.

You have got to be kidding me, why is Arlene gone from the show, they must have pushed her a bit surely?

It wont be the same without her, she has years of experience as a professional choreographer and it shows. She is funny and wry too. I for one am very disappointed at this.