Pity there's no 'maybe' or 'I'll wait and see' option on the poll because that's firmly where I stand.

Also, there is the repeated cry of 'how will the pros feel, being judged by an amateur!' which is of course mildly absurd considering the pros are not being judged. It's the celebs and I believe that Alesha is perfectly qualified to judge some aspects of their performance.

Like a few others I adored Alesha as a contestant but don't see what she will bring especially with what they lose getting rid of Arlene.

The thing that really bugs me is who are the idiots behind Strictly and can they stop pissing about with it? From have no idea to do when a contestant drops out, telling contestants what dances they do in the final, keeping a jugde (Bruno) who appears to have tried to rig the semi final, getting rid of world champions to be replaced by inferior dancers and dumping one of the best judges with someone who has no technical experience.

What I really don't get why they are trying to attract younger viewers? I remember hearing Russell T. Davies say it was really hard to attract that age group to Doctor Who as they don't watch TV. Taking an educated guess I would think Strictly's main audience is predominately women probably 30+ so what kind of idiot does something that will have them turning off (as my mother has already said she will), you lose that audience and you'll lose Strictly.

Also how can Alesha be impartial, and if she is, will she been seen to be impartial?

Claire,

Alesha's contemporary and nearest rival Kelly Brook was hired to be the fourth judge in Britain's Got Talent. I understand on objections from the three established judges at the last minute Kelly's contract was cancelled no doubt with satisfactory compensation.

This volteface was soon forgtten and no damage appeared to afflict the reputations of either Kelly or ITV. Kelly never did sit onscreen in the judge's chair, so there was no technicolour picture of a management decision backfiring.

It would be a major loss of face for ITV or BBC to visibly launch a change to a fanfare of trumpets then to hastily reverse it. For this reason I doubt the Beeb would consider "Suck it and see". It would be all or nothing.

No its ridiculous. The new judge should be someone qualified in dance - like Camilla or Karen or even Brendan. Its a joke!

I am with claire2281 in the 'wait and see' gang - but I wholeheartedly agree with the paragraph of yours I highlighted. The producers/exec producers badly lost the plot last year and, while I am personally not sorry to see Arlene go, I can't understand why she appears to be the only one to carry the can for all the mistakes made in SCD6. It's all about the voting system now: if that continues to allow the judges to off the public's favourites, I, for one, will have had enough.

As for the whole younger viewers thing: the reason the BBC is so concerned about bringing them in is because it needs to justify the Licence Fee to future generations. If it can't attract enough 16-24 year olds, it risks being seen as irrelevant to a generation - which plays into the hands of the Tories, who have made it very clear they want to diminish the BBC's income (and, consequently, its programme budgets). Right or wrong? I dunno, but that is the rationale. It's why programmes like Bonekickers and Spooks: Code 9 were commissioned, and why new series of New Tricks - which attracts an older audience - are consigned to the summer schedules, despite being hugely popular.

Whether this hugely cynical move will make any difference remains to be seen. Unfortunately for the half-wit who thought this would remedy many of Strictly's ills, it just looks like a feeble attempt to mimic Simon Cowell dumping Sharon Osbourne and hiring Cheryl Cole.

That's not my understanding at all about what happened to Kelly Brook. I understood she did do some shows (which were never screened) and that is how it was decided that the 'group dynamics' of four judges as they called it wasn't going to work. I'm pretty sure she had started the job.

I wouldn't compare Alesha to Kelly either as Kelly is a failed actress and a lad's mags babe. At least Alesha has a successful music career going and she keeps her clothes on. If we have to choose someone I would compare her to Cheryl Cole on the X-Factor (can't stand her though). Alesha has more common sense and integrity than either Kelly or Cheryl imho and simply because of this imho would make a better judge than either of them.

I would have voted 'Wait and see' if that choice was available too. I'm also hoping that some other changes are in the pipeline (we already know the voting has been reviewed but not the outcome), so that the calamity that was Series 6 doesn't happen again. I want any 'fresh start' for SCD to work.

A new judge was probably a good idea, actually four new judges was probably a good idea but what does Alesha bring? She was a brilliant performer on Strictly but even her most ardent fans will tell you her technique, especially in latin wasn't the best. Unless she marks specifically on performance.

I agree with those who said Karen or Camilla, what about Ray Quinn or Kate Thornton if you want a well known personality.

I have to say I blew hot and cold with Arlene but what I like is if she was hard on someone and they correct what she point out she was first in line to give praise, she could give really warm, emotional comments. The thing that leaves me sour is the person she really did that to is Alesha Dixon.

And if they're going to replace someone surely it should be someone who appeared to mark not what was in front of them but in relation to how it would affect their favourite (Bruno), someone who was giving out 10's when the dance barely deserved 8's (Len) or some one who just spout bile at most contestants, especially considering he couldn't take on Celeb Masterchef, and has admitted being a rent boy (Criag).

Len has already voiced an opinion against Alesha as a judge; now apparently the producers of the show have said they are angry, and the pro dancers share their views. Methinks next series backstage is not going to be a happy place!

From what I saw of BGT (), the auditions that Kelly Brook attended were filmed and televised with Ant & Dec's commentary that she would be 'joining the panel' for the day. As it was all recorded, Cowell's decision that she wasn't a regular part of the team could be glossed over relatively quickly.

I too am waiting to see precisely what changes to the voting system are planned. But the proof will be in how they are implemented: the collusion between the judges and the producers could not have been more obvious last year and they abused the old system to manipulate the results. So woe betide them if they try that stunt again ...

That is the crucial difference, the ITV episodes were evidently recorded but never screened and will not be screened now. In the public memory Kelly was never on.

Strictly is broadcast in real time and binning a tryout episode is impossible, the quiet Kelly Brook type exit is not an option. Alesha is either on or off. Wait-and-see then climbdown by the Beeb would be difficult -- unless the Beeb have prepared for the worst-case contingency by bringing in Darcey early.

kaycee Len has voiced concerns (as have we all), but didn't come out against Alesha. I think he was more sad for Arlene as the interview with The Stage said -

"I am sad Arlene is no longer one of the judges because we got to know each other. We all got on, and knew what to expect, so it sort of changes the whole dynamic of the panel maybe, which is a little bit scary. I do feel sorry for her, because we are friends. But who knows, maybe Alesha will be fantastic and bring a different dynamic to the judging panel."

No producer, production team member or any pro dancer has or is likely to express an opinion in public for obvious reasons, but we all know that 'insider' quotes are not to be trusted which is all we have read.

The media are just flaming the fans imho.

The Kelly Brook episode of Britain's Got Talent was aired - she was just billed as a "guest judge". Which is odd given as how the whole kerfuffle was made public beforehand via actual quotes from people involved, rather than "insiders".

I don't think Kelly had a quiet exit and I doubt she will ever live down being dropped.

I agree it is different in that the shows were never seen, but on the other hand I think Alesha has far more to offer on SCD than Kelly on BGT.

Alesha is not a direct swap for Arlene in terms of what she will bring to the show.

As The Stage has pointed out Arlene's skills/strengths are actually shared by the combination of the other three judges -

"What appears to be behind Arlene being dropped rather than any of the other judges is an attempt to retain a sense of balance. Craig is the theatrical choreographer with a line in bitchy putdowns; Len is the master of ballroom technique; Bruno is the showman. Arlene’s strength is that she embodies all three of those characteristics — and that, unfortunately, has also made her the most vulnerable of the three judges."

I also don't agree Alesha has nothing to offer. She is an entertainer so knows about performing and has been through the whole SCD process, so she can empathise with the celebs and knows something about ballroom/Latin - how hard some things are to learn for example. She's is also a very smart cookie with lots of common sense and I do think she can make a contribution.

Edit: Just read Monkseal's post about Kelly being on screen as a guest judge.

Did not see that broadcast. How did you personally respond to Kelly's performance? What were the other three's attitudes? How did the audience take to her?

I did say "Alesha, AS A JUDGE"

And not all "insider" quotes are made up ....

I didn't watch it personally (I don't really like or watch audition shows) but from what people were saying she didn't sound too bad. It seems to be rather a running joke with people who watch the show that the judges aren't really qualified to judge talent anyway, so I doubt the audience were really bothered.

I know and I know.

I thought Kelly Brooks was a disaster on BGT. She just giggled and tried to show empathy with the very worst acts by voting for them. She managed to come across as really, really dumb, which I don't suppose she is.

I voted no to Alesha on SCD. There are several things wrong with the show, all of them due to the BBC's fiddling with the format. Imo what needs changing (back) is the dance-off - with the judge's having the final decision, the Sunday results show, and too many couples - making the all male/all female weeks necessary. The judges were okay. They were, every single one of them, a pain at times, but grumbling about them was part of the fun, and could remain just that if they reduced their power. Alesha may have shot herself in the foot with this one. I suppose it will be a regular income for her, but could be a nail in the coffin of her career in show business.

Absolutly agree with you cannot believe this has happened it is indeed ridiculous. I think the SCD have always been over the top with Alesha heaping their praise on her after Kelly left it was a foregone conclusion that she was their winner etc. Alesha was on so much on the last series surely everyone wants to move on.

Not sure where to put this as there are so many Alesha/judge threads flying about....

But has anyone wondered why DB has been brought in only towards the end of the series ??........is it so the BBC can have 5 judges and avoid Len's casting vote (if there is a 2-2 situation) as to who goes through to the Semi's or Final ??

Hi Fairygirl,

Google says Darcey's home is in Australia with two youngish daughters (under 10?). She officially retired from the Royal Opera last year. She says she wants to do parttime dancing but that is not done in the ballet world. The Beeb will not pay Darcey to commute from Australia the way the Americans pay Len and Bruno to fly there every Sunday.

BBC bulletin says Darcey will also play a part in ITT, not sure if this is from the final few weeks.

But you are right, this is probably a conspiracy

NO.

Whoever the decision makers at the BBC are, they are totally out of touch with public opinion. For every younger viewer they may gain, they will surely lose several existing viewers.

The BBC say: "Dixon has an insight into what the dancers have to go through..."

So what That doesn't qualify her to comment on someone's technical abilities at dancing.

I don't think that happens in the world of showbiz.
I've a feeling Alesha is going to be the new Myleene...

Yes she does have 'insight' but so does: Darren Gough, Mark Ramprakash (sp?), Jill Halfpenny, Tom Chambers and Natasha Kaplinsky. Even, dare I say it - John Sargeant has insight! As do ANY of the previous contestants never mind winners! Don't see any of these being given the job

So what makes Alesha so special? Could it be that Bruce thinks she's Britains 'Beyonce' and is supporting her career? Or does it really just come down to her being an attractive, young woman? Has the BBC really become THAT shallow?

I don't see how the big wigs at the BBC think she's THAT popular because, if my memory serves me correct, she hasn't won a Christmas special Did she actually win many on the tour? She's obviously made friends in all the right places!

I'm completely bamboozled by this decision and registered my complaint at the BBC but got the standard reply. Refreshing the format etc. Blah, blah, blah :yawn:

I still say it's ageism and sexism well at work in the BBC. All Arlene's years of experience and knowledge count for nothing compared with a pretty face

No. No. No. Nada.

She is no more qualified than any other past contestant as has been said and what can she bring to the table other than a couple of points on performance which will already have been pointed out by Bruno and Craig probably. A waste. Banality rules. I am very cheesed off as I've had my fallouts with the four as we all have but Arlene annoyed me least, and she's the one to go. Fantastic.