I wondered what everyone's thoughts were on the subject of bringing in new pros to Strictly - do you like the eclectic mix of nationalities brought about by utilising overseas Pros, or would you prefer to see some British home-grown dancing talent used primarily?

My own view is that I enjoy all the Pros and the different things they bring, and although I truly love what the overseas dancers bring to the mix, like Kristina Rihanoff, for example, I would dearly love to see more of the UK's own dancers used in this regard, given that it is a British show. There is such a lot of wonderful dancing talent in the UK, and I would like to see it showcased on a show like Strictly which has such huge coverage, which would bring more attention to and promote British dancing.

What do you all think? do you prefer the overseas Pros, would you rather the British pros?

Or don't you mind!

Can't say until I've seen them dance, tangoqueen.

I don't mind because I don't know anything about who is out there tbh.

It would be great if the viewers could vote for new pros like on DWTS last time.

A number (6 I think) of potential new pros danced on the show and the public voted for them over a number of weeks. The pro with the most votes will be on the next show.

I thought I wouldn't be able to form an opinion, but it was amazing to see the differences between dancers and they were all up to the job without a doubt!

When the pros are dancing I would imagine it is pretty hard to tell where they come from. Maybe the BBC plays it safe by choosing new pros have all been in the public eye through shows like Strictly in other countries and the movies.

As long as the are accomplished dancers, and can come up with some good routines that suit their partners, then I have no problem if they are from the UK or further afield.

I think we've been pretty spoilt with our pros, so when new ones come along, we're a bit reluctant to accept them. Especially in the ditching of Nicole for Hayley, yet most people this year seem ok with the introduction of Katya and Natalie, perhaps because no one was ditched as such, and people just decided to leave of their own accord.

It's a shame there's not more home grown talent, but we're lacking considerably in top dancers from this country. I am looking forward to seeing both Katya and Natalie bring something different to SCD as they seem quite top-rated dancers.

If we were to receive dancers from DWTS etc, I wouldn't mind seeing Karina Smirnoff, Maks, Kym Johnson or Louis (although he seems a little dull and quiet to me) because they to me seem as good, or match the likes of our pro dancers.

We seemed to adapt to Brian and Kristina fast enough last year LOL!

That made me want more, more, more!

Personally I would love to see more home-grown talent as such, but the sad fact is there's not a great deal of it around anymore who would be suitable, and even some of those who do represent the UK as dancers, are not necessarily British.

Among those already on (or have been) on scd; Vincent and Flavia, Brendan, Erin, Camilla, Nicole, Lilia, John Byrnes and Hannah Kartunnen (1st series), the other Hanna (who's surname escapes me) are all foreign.

Hanna Haarala

I think the reason for adapting to B&K quickly was that they came as a partnership rather than us believing that they'd split up a couple, such as Matt and Nicole being separated etc.

Apart from accomplished technique overseas dancers also bring other facets to England, not least their passion and intensity. Poles and Russians are sweeping the board in world dance right now.

Flavia, although of Italian parentage, came to Britain at the age of four and all her dancing training was done in this country, and I think a number of others you mention came to Britain to gain further experience and exposure of their talents; so it shouldn't be all doom and gloom.

I don't honestly think that they could find British dancers to do it.

^ Exactly. I heard Alex and Lisa Bellinger-Ivanets auditioned but got turned down about 3 times.

Really? I had a very vague impression that they wanted to focus on competing.

It does bug me a little bit if they were turned down in favour of foreign (ie. not competing for England) couples. I've never been a big fan of the "buy British" mentality, but it seems sad that the producers are going abroad for people who don't appear to be stronger dancers, just for the sake of raunching up the show.

I've auditioned for every single series and they still won't take me. I fit the bill (almost) perfectly; I'm British and I'm female, so who cares if I'm not a professional dancer?! I'm fantastic at the YMCA!

It's all absolutely based on personality.

It would be nice to see some home grown talent, but I can understand that the BBC might have difficulties finding suitable candidates. Since, there have been some great overseas dancers on SCD, I'm not overly concerned.

They came in as a couple did they? I never noticed and I can honestly say that was not the reason I personally adapted to B&K so quickly! Clue: Hot, hot, hot!

Do you think British pros are too reserved?

I mean we all know the SCD pros quite well from ITT now, but presumably they must have had to learn to deal with being in the media spotlight. Could it be anything to do with that?

Darren is British, as is Matt and Karen et al: all previous winners.

Hi there!

I realise that which is why I asked the question really. Are most British pros too shy to fulfil the role? I'd say Matt was quite shy, but not the rest of the current pros. I'd just wondered if they are typical of the personalities of British pros. I mean without meaning to sound rude, the red button man Philip Jackson obviously knew what he was talking about, but he didn't quite have the personality that goes with a glamorous job on SCD.

Darren seemed absolutely petrified during most of series two
Even though Lilia comes across (to me anyway) as the shy one in their partnership, she had less problem showing her personality from the start. Darren seems to have grown more comfortable with that during each series. So maybe you have a point about British dancers.

I think Ian has changed a fair bit since series two as well.

I honestly wouldn't know about that; I just know that the BBC seem quite set on what it is that they are looking for and a lot of people who audition don't fit the bill, British or not.

I think the BBC looking overseas is a lot more to do with the fact that there are just not that many British dancers out there, more than anything else.

Will Kristina be doing Strictly this year after her love entanglement?

I'm pretty sure Kristina has confirmed she is returning- I bet the BBC have warned her to keep her personal life out of the papers though. I remember when Brendan did Celebrity Love Island we heard that he would only be allowed back for the next series of Strictly if he behaved himself on CLI.

All that seems to have died down now anyway.
And yet they have rejected England's number one Latin professionals

There is obviously a reason behind their decision to do that, though.