I was in the ABC boards the other day and was a thread saying that Len probably won't be there for the next season because his health problem. They said that Flattley will take his place, and people are furious about that.
They want Len or at least someone with Len ballroom experience.

I'm not surprised Len might not do DWTS again, but not because of his illness but because he sort of hinted that last year was just too much flying back and forward - but it was also tempered by him saying that when he is offered so much money to DWTS it is had to turn down. I'd have thought by now though he would be quite comfortable off, so the money might not be such a temptation especially with his recent illness.

I'm also not surprised that people are not happy about the suggestion that Michael Flatley is replacing Len as I thought he was a complete waste if space as a judge when he stood in for Len before - surely there is someone better available?????

Len had intended leaving dwts last year, but sort of got his arm 'twisted' by the producers. If he does leave, it will be more to do with travelling between the 2 shows, than his illness, as he has made a good recovery.

The idea of replacing him with Flatley is appalling - even worse than replacing Arlene with Alesha - and I can well believe people are fuming! Surely there is SOMEONE in the whole of the USA who has the qualifications to judge ballroom dancing?

What I don't understand is why on earth they would even consider having Michael Flatley back after giving him a try out which was a disaster. I hope it is just a rumour.

They could do worse than have Sandra Fortuna as a judge - she would be great. Michael Flatley would be a total disaster.

Somewhere I read that the article, published in Ireland, that suggested that Michael Flatley might take over for Len "so he could rest" was just wishful thinking/hoping by Michael and his publicist.

Fingers crossed! Good God, he sucked when he guested for just one night. I'd take Alesha any day. (though I'm pissed she's taking Arlene's spot because I loved Arlene and what she had to say - I can PREDICT everything Alesha will say, sweetheart that she is - but it's no fun hearing someone big up everybody because they can't bear to hurt anyone's feelings - Flatley was a lot like that, come to think of it.)

I must admit given his experience I expected Flatley to be MUCH better than he was - but he was just dreadful.

The problem with him was that his dance experience was not in ballroom (as we all know) hence when it came right down to it he had nothing of any worth to contribute.

If this is true it's about as ridiculous as the BEEB replacing Arlene with Alesha - is Jay Hunt also head of ABC in America? One has to wonder....

I don't know about that as started dance training at age 11 (Irish dancing requires excellent posture!) and he choreographed most of the Riverdance type shows, so he should have known about what it takes to be a good dancer just like Carrie Ann, Arlene and Craig - plus he should have known about performance.

I think Alesha will be much better than Flatley!

Who could ever forget Derek H.'s reaction when he got the score from Flatley for the rumba????

Technically Irish dancing is the total opposite to the technique of ballroom, and even more so, Latin.

Craig had danced ballroom in Australia, so knew what to look for; Arlene had vast dance experience, and Len taught her - before the start of the first series - something of what she should be looking for; Carrie Ann may know about dance, but (imo) talks almost as much rubbish as Bruno, and is almost as OTT!!!!

I would have thought they all require the 'core' that the judges go on about, just with harder or softer body lines and shapes (if that makes sense!)?

The point I was making is that Flatley is supposed to be a choreographer like the others.

I think we can all agree that Flatley has already shown he would be a disaster as a replacement for Len.

But he is only a choreographer of the Irish style of dancing, unlike Arlene & Co who have choreographed many different styles. But I agree Flatley would be a disaster - he has already proven that by his one appearance.

I understand that and I am not trying to imply he is anything like the standard of Arlene and co, just that I expected better of him when he was standing in for Len.

Without Len there is no ballroom dancers/experts on the panel at all so it is a far worst position than Strictly. I didn't like Michael Flatley at all on DWTS but I watch for the dancing more than the judges.

I couldn't agree more that to replace Len with someone who doesn't have a ballroom/Latin background would be a disaster. Makes me wonder if the reason for introducing dances like the Lindy Hop was a deliberate attempt to move away from ballroom and/or Latin dancing.

It does seem as if they aren't that bothered about the technicalities of ballroom/latin very much any more so maybe it wouldn't matter to them if none of the judges was qualified to judge such dances.

Not to mention West coast swing, jitterbug (quite liked this tho ) and the hustle

Exactly - is this a conspiracy theory?

Doesn't Len get paid more to do DWTS than Strictly?
If so, with the Beeb determined to revamp Strictly then maybe Len will chose DWTS?

If what we hear is true he gets $250k (£150k) for DWTS and about £90k for SDC. I think he'd choose SCD - it was the appeal of having both salaries he was having trouble turning down!

Personally I doubt of he'd choose DWTS over SCD - but stranger things have happened I guess!

I really wish he would choose one or the other and stop trying to do both at the same time. It's not fair on the contestants or the viewers of either show when he gets so bad tempered with jet lag after a few weeks.

Me too - I hope his health scare will make him think twice about DWTS and he'll opt to do SDC only, then we might get the 'old' Len back.

Totally agree

He should/could still do DWTS in the Spring and do Strictly in the Autumn then we hopefully get the old Len back and someone with dance experience like Louis (even though I would prefer to see him dancing) or Sandra Fortuna should take his place in the Autumn series.

That sounds ideal to me!