But the BBC would have had to find money to pay for programming to fill the gaps in the schedules created by no Sat/Sun SCD, and no ITT over those weeks, a point also made by a couple of other posters.

That's one thing that we can both agree on.

Bruce has never been a draw for me, I've always found him unfunny even in his hay day. In fact I very nearly didn't watch the first series because he was involved.

I assume you mean heyday, anything else conjures up some strange picures

It might have been but I'm not sure. I remember reading what you are referring to, but I don't remember a negative ending. I thought it was a more general thing (it may not have been Nicole - that might be where I am getting confused - I am easily confused!


I'll admit to watching Bruce on The Generation Game as a child, but I didn't watch any of his other shows until he did Strictly.

That's not to say I wasn't aware of just how many shows he was part of which was a lot (if anyone doubts this then check this out), so I am not surprised in the least he is so highly paid.

I definitely don't watch for Bruce, but he is an integral part of the show for me and I doubt if a lot of people realise how skilful he is at his job - even making fun of his dodderiness (is that a word?). Bruce will never be everyone's favourite, but then nobody ever is. Like it or not the man is a legend.

I agree with you there Buddy - Bruce is an integral part of the show - bad jokes and puns too, he is the consumate entertainer and has been for 60+ years.

People say about replacing Bruce and Tess as though they are a package - Tess could (and should in my opinion) be replaced in an instant - Bruce's shoes will be very tricky to fill.

I don't have a particular problem with Tess, but you could definitely swap her for somebody else and I wouldn't notice much difference!

Bruce on the other hand is a different kettle of fish and who ever takes over from him will have an impact on the show - for better or worse!

Kate Thornton did an excellent job on the tour - she referred to couples previous experiences, knew their winning/losing records and did all of this with a sense of humour.

All Tess seemed bothered with last year was getting Mark Foster to parade about in a pair of pants ( can I also add -the whole 'top off final dance' craze that started last year (mark, austin)made me heave)

I liked Kate Thornton on X-Factor and I've watched the SCD Tour DVD and thought she did a good job.

For cryin' out loud!

I wish people wouldn't bang on about replacing Bruce.

This is the BBC remember, with (so called) stars on golden handcuff deals now earning more than their market value.

If Bruce went, you'd get either Graham Norton or John Barrowman. No doubt about it.

"Better the devil you've got, than the devil you know!"

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick - these posts are pro-Bruce, not anti-Bruce.

They should replace Bruce with Alan Carr or Paul O'Grady and replace Tess with Kate Thornton or Emma Bunton.

No, you have, try post #53, I can't be bothered to look back any further. But at least I did read that one.

Actually #53 was the reason I posted my positive post about Bruce (although FAR worse things have been said in the past). Do you actively seek arguments on here?

What's your problem?

I too posted an opinion after reading post #53. (I didn't directly have a go at the poster, they are entitled to their opinion).

You quoted my post and made a comment to me which was totally unnecessary.

You're accusing me of "actively seeking arguments."

Give me a break!

You're the one being "actively argumentative."

I think you are the one with a problem, so I'll leave you to it. I come on here to have discussions, not arguments.

I try to avoid making personal comments about people I don't know but on this occasion I agree. The show, aimed at older people like me, is being ruined.
By the way, on what planet do you need to pay a fading celeb who knew nothing about dancing (Alesha) three times what you pay the rising celeb who taught her everything she knows, choreographed the routines and was the joint winner (Matthew)?
I know there's more to life but really.

Seems news to me.

Read your own posts.

Another piece of negative publicity (or at the very least, the SCD producers collectively shooting themselves in the feet by handing pure gold to the media):


http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/...ictly-axe.html

I don't disagree with what you have said, but I would be happy to see fewer couples, and to have no boy/girl weeks. The show could last the same number of weeks but have no "eviction" for 2 weeks to enable all couples to do at least one latin and one ballroom. I agree that fewer couples means more of a chance of better ones going too early, but I have to say that freshening up the show, saving money (to pay the pros what they deserve), could be done this way. I echo the views expressed on this thread that the show is starting to have a bad feeling about it. Of course newspapers (and the BBC!) might be enjoyng whipping up "problems", but there is something worrying about the direction the show is going in, and the desperate nature of some of the decisions.

Oh I wouldn't bother listening to what that fat old man thinks. No one else does. He is only still with X Factor just. If Simon could get Robbie Williams or Gary Barlow to agree then Louis would be gone without a thought.

At last a creative contribution. I think a little of the half-million paid to Brucie should be given to you.

If any week is pre-announced as "no eviction" it would cause the celebs to ease up on work rate, with competitive tension and suspense going out the window.

To save BBC money with 12 couples to fill 12 weekly shows, in the early rounds to evict only every other week. The judges' scores and public votes to be carried forward from the first week to the second -- like the way it was done in SCD6 with Semifinal 3-3-1 score carried into the Final. Or like Man U vs Real Madrid with home and away legs.

To save even more money, in some weeks to replace Brucie with Colin's dummy with no payment. No-one will notice.

I do hope you're not being ageist there ...

Leaving aside the fat & old bit, it's just another example of a gift to the media, another opportunity handed to the media to publish a negative story, regardless as to whether it has any truth in it or not. It's just another negative story when positives should be the order of the day.

And some of the other comments in the DS report are rather telling I think

Mind you who would expect a judge on X-Factor to say anything else, especially if he was chased by the media for a comment?