...if she has some integrity & self respect left. Anyway all this uproar is certainly not doing herself any favours.

She obviously got caught in excitement being given this gig without any thoughts on the ramifications both of her & Jay Hunt's decision will cause.

She knows she's not qualified so easy thing to do is decline it now whilst there is time to hire someone more capable & qualified.

So they want a revamp...god knows why when they're not exactly dipping in ratings against bloody XF anyway...but Jay Hunt could have at least used her head to choose a replacement for Arlene.

Damn!

Agreed. She's probably thinking the public will adore her like with Cheryl and she'll become this huge star. I think the contrary will happen and it will worsen her image.

While I agree with what you have written I cannot see her pulling out. She is not there to give technical feedback rather she will be there to comment upon the performance - because we the viewing public are not capable of thinking for ourselves - and to draw upon her expereince as a contestant/winner - so in that respect I guess Aleesha does not see the problem.

Showbiz is a ruthless business - and she is looking out for own interests - despite the fact Arlene was so supportive on her when (and since) she was on the show and that Arlene is qualified/internatllionally recognised - Aleesha can provide "glamour/personality/charm" because as we know none of the professional dancers or contestants can provide this

She is a smart cookie too and she knows that being on the TV on a prime time show will give her invaluable exposure and boost her career no end. So I don't think that she will pull out

Having said all that I do think she was wrong to accept this gig and if it is true that she will be paid more than the other judges then I think that she might have difficultly in justifying that one - mind you she will be laughing all the way to the bank so she won't care what we think!

I like Alesha and would like to see her do well on TV. The forum is not the same as the viewing public, so I think she can get by on the panel (Bruno has). She doesn't have much scope though - if she criticises anything, can she back it up? If she says nice things and gives everyone 7, 8 or 9, it will get tedious.

Alesha will do as good a job as she can, and if the show doesn't do well, it wont be Alesha's fault - the producers are the ones who should carry the can.

I would rather the BBC changed their minds and gave her a golden handshake, but I doubt that will happen.

She is popular now, but I think there are better roles for her on TV.

I dont think this will end up being a good move for Aleesha, she seems very liked at SCD so far with being invited back etc and this would be ruined if she became a judge imo esp with the professional dancers who she will probably be paid more than.

i wonder what alesha was thinking when she decided to take the job? did she know she was taking arlene place? or was she mislead?

Apart from on SCD message boards where is the uproar? As far as I can see it ended after the Sunday papers were printed.

I certainly don't think Alesha should step down nor that her integrity or self respect is in great danger. I'm sure she thought long and hard as well as taking advice before making the decision (maybe even from Matt).

At least let her try - personally I think she'll fit in just fine.

I cant believe people can be that judgemental and ask for someone to step down
Give the girl a chance, If she makes a mess then fell free, but at least give her a chance.

No-one outside this forum gives two shits.

Alesha accepted a job offer. Maybe you are in the financial situation where you could turn down a gig on one of the top rated shows on TV, but most people aren't. Leave her alone.

She only did what anyone else would do. Arlene wouldnt think twice about saying yes if the tables were turned.

Noone away from sites like this complain about the lack of credentials Ruthie Henshall has to judge Dancing on Ice. At least Alesha has the advantage of appearing on the show.

if it bothers you so much, then you can always pull out and not watch. I cant believe the vitriol of some poeple towards a successful young woman, who has been offered a great job on a major tv show, what should she do ? dont take the job because a few people might not like it, or take the job and take the flak from a minority of slightly over obsessed fans of the show. I know what i would do in her position

I think people are wrong when they say no-one cares outside this and other forums. But the test will be down to the viewing figures and I hope they go down. It's a terrible message to send out to young girls that you can be are well qualified as you want but you will still be punted for someone younger and prettier.

They say what goes around comes around. What's happened to Arlene will happen to Alesha one day.

Older women have been replaced by younger women since time began.

I've talked to loads of people lately who don't go near forums and in 9 out of 10 cases they're completely against Alesha replacing Arlene. We might be more vocal (and much more vicious!)on the forums but we do tend to reflect what the general public are thinking, just with knobs on so to speak

If I was Alesha I would be standing down .. but then again I'm not that ambitious that I'll step over anyone to get what I want. You go for the exposure love, but some people are now looking at you in an entirely different light. I REALLY didn't think that she was like that

That was my point. If younger women stopped taking the place of older women then maybe it would be possible to female and over 50 on TV.

What exactly did Arlene bring to the programme? Silly, inane, comments after ever dance - probably spent more time before each programme rehearsing her next stupid feedback. Alesha can do just as well, if not better, surely?!!


Actually, childish I know, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if some of the people trying to put Alesha down for accepting a career move are those who still haven't forgiven Alesha for winning SCD 2007???

I'm quite surprised they never asked Kelly Brook first. Shes already done this kind of judging, was on BGT as well and was received quite well and has been on the show too. Plus she adds the glamour they apparently wanted.

They sacked her from BGT because she was hopeless.

I've been pretty vocal in my opinion that Alesha shouldn't be replacing Arlene, but clearly she thinks she is up to the task and if she can take the slings and arrows that are sure to come flying in her direction then there is no reason why she should step down.

It may do her career more harm than good - but that's a chance she's willing to take.

As a woman I hear you, but it isn't going to happen.

Bet Alesha would complain if she was replaced by a white woman, in this day and age that wouldn't be acceptable.

The BBC are trying to attract a younger audience and I hope they fail. I'd rather young woman were watching X-Factor seeing women trying to be successful in their own right, mentored by successful women.

Like what?

We don't actually know what Alesha was told when she was offered the job. It's not up to her who she replaces - its up to the producers and entertainment chiefs. If you don't like Alesha being given the job, blame them.

Why is all this bile being directed at someone for doing a job they haven't even started yet? I feel like I've wandered into an old Doctor Who thread, back when everyone slagged off Catherine Tate pre-Series 4 then had to eat their words afterwards.

And I really shouldn't worry about Arlene: she's been around long enough to know things like this happen in showbusiness all the time and, if BBC management have anything to do with it, it's pretty much a cast-iron guarantee that it'll turn into a PR disaster.

There are many changes afoot for SCD7. The most cosmetic of them seems to have created an uproar, yet the most significant - the voting - is being forgotten.

If we end up being subject to a repeat of last year's biased votes and rigged scoring, that is the time for battle to really commence. Until then - chill!

You've just lobbed rather a large grenade into this thread. Given that Alesha has both white and black grandmothers, I very much doubt she think in such narrow-minded terms.

I'm sure the BBC's rabidly active diversity lobby are cock-a-hoop at Alesha's appointment - non-white faces are not really visible in entertainment - but I don't think you can start making presumptions like that about Alesha herself.

Or do you know her?

I CANNOT BELIEVE how people are condemning Alesha for accepting a job offer, for goodness sake people!!!!!!! From henceforth none of us should accept a job offer if it means we are taking over from someone else.

When my employers think I'm past my sellby date, I will ensure all my friends and family have a sit in or something outside my workplace and shout abuse at the person taking on my role.

That seems to be precisely what most of you are doing re Alesha taking over from Arlene; do remember Alesha did not instruct the BBC to sack Arlene and give her the job, it was offered!!!! What is there so hard to understand about it???