I thought Karen gave a lot of good insight but wasn't expecting her to answer about Aliona's Quickstep choreography, so another plus for that, when she did.

I was. Karen has never really been backward in coming forward about her opinion in the past.

Which is why her being a judge may have been a bad idea. She might have made herself sometimes unpopular by her honesty!

Very true, she'd certainly have been hung drawn and quartered by the lynch mob on here, no doubt about that.

Does she do that spot once a week or is it more often? It was the best bit of ITT I've seen for ages.

I see what you mean, but I think she would have adjusted what comments to suit the circumstances and given constructive feedback - negative or positive. At least people would know she was speaking from experience and considering how well she explains things on ITT, I think the public would enjoy hearing her give her ballroom/Latin professional comments.

Also Karen would have changed the panel in a different way to Alesha and perhaps made the judges a bit more formal (not sure that's the right word!). Alesha joining the panel has made the atmosphere more light hearted for me and very enjoyable. Karen would have been my first choice for a new judge, but I love Alesha on the panel.


No. Camilla did it in wk1 and Len in wk 2. They were both very good too, although I think Karen was the best so far.

I just watched the ITT repeat on iplayer and I have to agree with everyone's comments on Karen Hardy. I thought she was fantastic. Her explanation of the choreography was just brilliant. For someone like me who is not a dancer but can appreciate the choregraphy, her comments were insightful. It's a shame she is not on the judging panel because I think she would have been an excellent addition.

I'd agree, I think Karen was excellent last night on CC - she picked up a lot of points that the judges missed (ie Ricky Groves arms) and I totally agreed with her on the Quickstep versus the Paso - at this early stage of the competition it's far harder to do a quickstep than a paso. Fingers crossed they invite her back to do it every week - even if she only picks out a few points it's more educational than a lot of the drivel that ITT has had in recent times (although this series does seem to be alot better).

I have never enjoyed Karen as a pro on the show, but have always enjoyed her comments on the others when she had been voted out.

I think she would have been an asset to the judges table, she knows what it is like to train the celebs and the hoops that the pros and the celebs have to jump through each week.

Her comments are constructive and informative.

Not wanting to add to the 'replace Alesha' bangwagon, I thought she should be considered as the fifth judge rather than Darcy, because she had the revelant skills as a ballroom judge herself and she seems to be able to pick up the good and bad points equally. I know she will not be James' or Brendan's cup of tea (and many people here seem to hate her with a passion), but she'll definitely not be accused of wearing a earpiece or making asinine soundbites like Arlene.

Sadly, that may be why Karen will neverbe considered for a judges role, because she knows them all too personally. I think she would be professional enough to look past that though.

If they want to do the 5th judge thing on a more permanent basis they couldn't do much better than Karen or Camilla, for that matter. Both have been on the show long enough to understand it, both have won the show and have the necessary experience. Also, this would take away from Len having the casting vote in a tie-break which has always been a necessity even though it baffles me.

I disagree, I'm sure the pros would find it far more acceptable to be critiqued by Karen rather than Alesha.

This is probably an unpopular opinion (maybe I should have posted it in the Non-appreciation thread), but I'm not really looking forward to Darcy judging.

I didn't feel like she had anything especially interesting to say on ITT and I found her a bit cold.

Alesha has the perfect personality, Darcy probably has more expertise. Karen has both. I wish she'd been given the job instead (or been the 5th judge). She was ever so good on ITT. She really knows what to look for in the dances.

Afternoon Sid!

I'm sure Darcey will have some good points to make, but I can't imagine she'll be anything but dull. Having said that, I'm willing to give her a go.

Karen would have been ideal. She'd have brought the requisite glamour if that was an essential and she really doesn't have any close ties to any of the pros that would make it awkward. She'd have been a superb judge. I think sadly, a big trick was missed there.

Afternoon you two

Agreed wholeheartedly Nancy.

Zan - I'll definitely give Darcy a chance But I must say, I'm not immediately drawn to her or excited about her appearance on the panel.

Well, no, me neither, if I'm honest.

Mainly because 5th judge = messed up stats! But no, she doesn't seem especially thrilling yet... And if Len is the judge she thinks she'll be most like ! But we'll see.

Hi sweetie <smooch> Still speaking to me after our different opinions on The Thread That Wouldn't Die?

I have also said elsewhere on here that I'm not sold on Darcey becoming the 5th judge. I've also said my preferred option would be for 5 judges that include Karen and Alesha!

I can still see that happening next year, so I live in hope!

I don't see the point in Darcey; I just don't know what she will bring other than a bit about footwork and posture (and the others do this perfectly well anyway) and don't see why we need a 5th judge in the final stages who is gracing us with her presence for a handful of shows! (rant over)

However, i like the idea of a permanent 5th judge as Len has too much power as "head" judge and Karen would not only fit the bill but I'll bet she's cheaper than Darcey!

Heya Buddy!

The TWWND died for about fifteen hours but has been resuscitated, dammit!

I'd quite happily have a 5 member judging panel of Craig, Alesha, Karen, Camilla + another, but we'll see what happens next year...

Hiya zan - I just noticed.

You're so on my wavelength Zan!

That was the comment that really put me off. I get the feeling she's just going to tell everyone how wonderful they are and dish out a string of 9s.

I want someone critical but fair. Karen would have been ideal.


Of course I'm still speaking to you silly! You know that even if our views sometimes differ, that's all part of the fun of the forum.

Love you to bits <smooch!> x


Yes, the only advantage of Darcy is that Len will no longer have the casting vote.

Totally agree based on this years alone!

After we spoke last night I alerted a mod to it, then about 5 mins later it was temporarily closed for moderation. It was opened up again not long thereafter, and noone posted anything in it until it got merged with the other Anton thread. It does seem a bit quieter so far, though...

My report didn't work at all - you have the power!

I can't imagine it was just me Buddy! It might have been a cumulative effect of several!

I realise that judging straight after the dance is different from commenting days later on ITT, and I know that Karen is marmite to most people. But going on the difference between all the pros talking about the choreography on ITT and the judges' ITT appearances, my meanspirited opinion is that Len, Bruno and Craig would not want to be shown up by a judge who has been a pro dancer on the show. They'd much rather patronise Alesha.