Very sensible words. I've used the Dr Who / CT comparison myself. It's similarly alarmist.

There has been a small announcement that the voting system will be tweaked but the details are yet to be released.

Not really, There was a vacant job and Catherine Tate was more than qualified to do it.

Most of the uproar is because a 66 year old woman, who is an experienced choreography is being replaced by a 30 year old with no dance qualifications except winning Strictly.

To use another Doctor Who analogy Gethin Jones sat in a dalek, does that make him qualified to replace Elizabeth Sladen?

I can't believe you've posted this comment. I think our discussion on this subject is over on this subject.

How on earth do you know she would complain? BTW Alesha is half white, brought up solely by her white mum and white gran, I certainly don't feel she would be thinking in your narrow minded way!

My point was no-one wants to be discriminated against.

Isn't just typical, us Brits are our own worst enemy and that's why we're not as successful as the migrants. Just a whiff of success of someone and its time to hack them down. Down, down Alesha, know your place girl?? is that it? Tch!

You're going more than a bit OTT - sarcasm and implying a prejudice that is not there will detract rather than attract support for your views.

Many disagree with Alesha's appointment, not because of the tall poppy syndrome, but because they think the beeb have used an inexperienced, ex competitor in a role for which she is totally unsuited at the expense of someone with years of experience under her belt: and if they did see the need to replace Arlene they should have done so with someone who had the right experience and qualifications - whatever their age and appearance.

Alesha gained a new wider audience through SCD in 2007. These people loved her determination, her fighting spirit and her natural manner. Most still admire these characteristics and would love to see her in a role that suits her - they simply don't see that role as an SCD judge.

I agree, not sure its a good move for Alesha or for Strictly.

I think they should have replaced Arlene with either Camilla, Erin Boag or maybe Karen Hardy.

Yes I've been a bit bitchy about Alesha replacing Arlene. I'm well aware that sometimes I'm being irrational towards Alesha and that if it hadn't been her it would have been someone else. And yes I was one of the one's calling Arlene a b!tch last year the way she completely tore John Sargeant apart - I think she should have been warned not to let her mouth run away with her again, not replaced. Craig should also have been told to watch his mouth. Those two were brutal and quite vicious sometimes on ITT, breakfast TV and in other interviews. I STILL think this was behind Arlene getting the push.

But when Alesha went for that screen test did she KNOW she was going to be replacing another judge or did she think there was going to be 5 judges? Was she led to believe that the other judge had quit or knew that someone was going to be sacked? This bit's important to me exactly because Alesha always seemed so nice, saying Strictly was like a family to her. Nice way she's treated them then isn't it, if she had all the details to hand of course. Apparently they didn't keep Arlene in the loop so they could have conned Alesha too.

I can't help feeling this way about Alesha, I try to stop myself but the claws keep coming out

I wouldn't have reacted nearly so badly if Arlene had been replaced by someone with lots of dance knowledge and experience such as Camilla or Karen. Alesha is supposed to be representing us, but doesn't our voting do that? And why does the BBC think she's so special/popular? Didn't Jill Halfpenny beat her in the Christmas show?

I don't know (wish there was a 'shrugging' smilie), I'm still going to watch and from now on try not to be so negative about Alesha and wait to see what she's like when the show actually starts. I'm looking forward to it all ready - all this talk has really whetted my appetite for it!

If we removed the unfairness of the way Arlene was removed from the issue for a second, we are left with the problem of whether Alesha is suitable or not. It's not something we will know until we see her in action, so to speak, but on the face of it I would say she's not going to be able to stamp her authority the same way another professional dance expert might have. The pro dancers will want to keep their jobs, so will have to grin and bear it, but you can be sure behind the scenes the knives will be out. Can you imagine how galling it is to be judged by someone who spent 16 weeks learning a routine? That's like asking someone who has taking singing lessons for three months to critique Placido Domingo! (slight extreme example, but you get the picture).

Alesha loves Strictly and did even before she went on the show, and probably agreed out of love for the show, but I can't help but wonder if lack of support backstage is going to sour it for her. I don't see how it can't: if I was one of the pros I would be livid!

Arlene may not have been universally liked but she had more authority than Alesha can ever have.

Why the hell should she resign. And even IF she did whos to say the producers would bring Arlene back?
They might go for another glamourous ex contestent like Rachel Stevens or Kelly Brook.
Maybe they were always going to bring in an ex contestant.

Come october all this ridiculous uproar will be gone and everyone will be saying "arlene who"

I am appalled at peoples knocking down of a girl who was offered a job.
If it doesnt suit you then dont watch .I will be watching and looking forward to it and will have an opinion when the girl has had a chance .
For Heavens Sake , stop bashing people and give them a break .

I have not, at any time, knocked Alesha down nor have I bashed her and the same applies to most of like mind. We have simply posted a point of view that she is unsuitable, unqualified and too inexperienced for the position she is about to take up.

Most who disagree with Alesha's appointment have not been personal about the girl herself (on the contrary most have been at pains to refer to her other talents) but about the beeb's decision to have an novice dancer judging professionals who have been honing their craft for years.

Now that the view has been mooted that Alesha is being 'knocked down' no doubt it will stick and those in favour of her will bring it out at every opportunity to justify her inclusion on the judges panel.

I'm sure if you try, you can advocate Alesha's credentials without insulting those who disagree with you.

For the record I am appalled at the assumption that questioning this decision of the beeb is seen as 'knocking' or 'bashing.'

i agree

people are just looking and in most cases wanting Alesha to fail because they are vile people themselves.

I for one hope Alesha does very well out of this gig and hearing from insiders who is lined up on the celeb front, I can safetly say this will be the year of SCD en massive.

Be very careful who you call vile.

In your opinion Alesha is unqualified, well i would like to ask what qualifications do you have t o criticise the BBC and their ability to decide what changes they need to make to a stale programme format. How many tv shows have you made

That's just not true I'm afraid. The internet is not some kind of bubble in an alternate universe, we are all 'real people' who just happen to be either internet savvy or of a more passionate nature to come on and discuss it on a dedicated forum. The general consensus of opinion on here is merely a microcosm of what people are talking about in their own homes, at work etc.

It's in the press, it's all over the internet, and it's certainly all over my office. Lots of people are giving a 'shit', and not so much about the changes to Stricly either, but about the wider issue of ageism/sexism still being alive and kicking.

I would have thought being a viewer allows someone to criticise the production qualities of a show.

Without viewers there would be no show.

Those that disagree with the changes should just stop watching, the ratings mean more to the big bosses than any other form of complaint.

I take your point on board and yes most people have referred to Aleshas talent,But my point is that untill we see it , maybe a new format , maybe she will fit in a new position , maybe she will be ideal , we should give her a chance.
Maybe the producer is more qualified than any of us to know who might be suited.

Alesha is unqualified as a judge - unless you can show me something that suggests otherwise.

I don't need qualifications to criticise the beeb - I am not a paid critic. I could turn the question around and ask what qualifications have you that could your support your stance on Alesha, but the answer is of course the same. You are not being paid to make a judgement, and as a viewer have a right to your opinion.

It appears that whilst those of us who disagree with Alesha's appointment have avoided being personal about her supporters, those in her favour have felt no such restraint.

Ive been learning dancing for nearly 2 years now (all styles) and I have been once if not twice or 3 times most weeks... I think I know my "heel turns" from my "fishtails" and "fleckerls"... so can I be a judge please ??



Good post.
Even I got irritated by Arlene sometimes - although it was Len who was top of my hit list (for irritation)... but she will always in my mind have more authority and credibility than Alesha will have (unless she has been swatting up and taking all the dancing exams without us knowing!)

I dont know about it souring it for Alesha - this decision/action is going to sour it for me... (I got stressed enough as it is last year when certain faults were "overlooked" by the judges for their favourites - and now with 10 months more experience it will severely piss me off if faults are not picked up...)

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Alesha's "performances" in Strictly (coz she seemed so good)... but underneath some of her long dresses, some of her faults were hidden (bent legs when they should have been straight) and Matt C was able to lead her out of trouble but I really did not enjoy some of her Latin routines with all her arms and legs on show any minor fault was noticeable. Her technique overall during the show was decidedly iffy in places...

Having said that, I do know that celebrities are not going to be perfect in just 16 weeks (or the week by week dances)... but I would hope that faults are picked up. I just can't see Alesha being able to hold her own even only judging "performance" unless we are going to be told that her votes/scores are going to be purely on the dance as it was portrayed (ignoring the steps,figures etc)... and may have no correlation with what the other judges are saying/scoring,

If the other judges are going to be judging technique (and performance) I can foresee there being a big discrepancy in the scores... (or is that just going to be a cover up to try to get it showing that the judges are "thinking" in line with the British public.

I can foresee a long skirmish (the fans on one side vs the judges/Beeb on the other)! Sargeantgate is going to look like a drop in the ocean to what might happen this year!


I have spoken to a fair number of people myself of the last few days (since the news became official) and most of these people wouldnt know what a forum is let alone be able to find these threads) and all pretty much of a muchness said that Alesha was good but they couldnt see how she would have any credibility to be able to judge. Might as well put Mr Blobby or TinkyWinky on the panel!

I am more concerned about the NEW voting system. I have a feeling that the Beeb might be keeping it very much under wraps after all the comments about their "cosmetic" changes to the judging panel...

However, if the voting is going to be pretty much like it was on the Tour (with the public having total control and the judges scoring only an "advisement" (and I mean to put that word here whether or not its grammatically correct), then the public will still be able to vote for their favourites without too much pressure.

I can foresee if the dance off/Judges decision on the bottom 2 for votes is still in place that Len will have to be voting off "better dancers" again...

If the power is very much in the public's hands then I can foresee the fans being more sensible. Because lets be honest, the "strange" voting (bias against the judges scores) really only started happening when the dance off/judges final decision was implemented. Before then, there might have been odd weeks when popular pairs got through because of the odd sympathy vote (ie Georgina and James SCD4? when he was being his "nasty" personna and got put through when Spooney? was eliminated) but all in all the best dancers (or the ones with the most potential) got to the latter stages.

This is my first post on the subject since the news broke so some of this might be more appropriate on another thread... but there you go!

I think people do care. They were just discussing it on the Wright Stuff this morning, and the majority all thought it was disgraceful that Arlene was being replaced by Alesha.

As for whether Alesha should pull out, well I do think it could backfire on her and she may live to regret it. I've always thought Alesha is under really bad management. She did virtually nothing after her win and she could have maximised on her exposure at that time and become massive. So I do wonder who is advising her. Obviously very few people would turn down an opportunity like this but she must have realised there would be a backlash. Unfair to blame her of course as it's the BBC who are to blame.

The real question I think we should be asking is should Arlene sue? She would have a very strong case on the grounds of ageism and sexism and she has been replaced by somebody who doesn't have the same experience as she has. I don't think the BBC should be alowed to get away with this. Someone needs to stand up to them.

Even if she wanted to, she can't. She is not an employee, she is not on their payroll, she was self employed and on contract to the BBC. They have simply not offered her a new contract for this series - which is quite legitimate, though imo short sighted.

I don't advocate Alesha pulling out. I disagree with her appointment for reasons I've posted more than once, but she had every right to accept the offer except for one qualification.

She had gigs lined up as part of her tour in Lincoln, Southampton and Brighton. These have now been rescheduled due to SCD commitments. I wonder how those who bought tickets feel about this, in particular those who for various reasons cannot fit the alternative dates into their diaries.

I think that's a bit out of order as most people are raising perfectly reasonable objectiona to Alesha and 'vile' certainly doesn't apply to 99.9% of them.


Some of those maybe.