The difference being when Arlene criticised someone you felt she had the authority to do it. I think Alesha has settled down a little, to give her credit, and I'm not going to bash her for the sake of it. But I honestly wince when she tries to say that something's wrong with a performance, because my first thought is 'what gives you the authority to say that? Three months training with the lovely Mr Cutler?'

I miss Arlene. She may have put her foot in it on many an occasion but I never questioned her right to critique

Arlene's comments were mean a lot of the time, sometimes quite personal, and could often be embarrasing and a little irrelevant.

Alesha is fair, kind but not afraid to criticise, and scores quite well.

There is a more friendly atmosphere now that Arlene has gone, I'm really enjoying this series.

I have watched Strictly from day 1 and I could probably count on one hand how many times I remember listening to Arlene making her comments and thinking, yes that is really good advice, how helpful, how accurate, what a good point.

I`m in agreement with you - I like the atmosphere with the judges this year - One judge being harsh and mean is quite enough on the panel.

I understand what you mean Tissy - but just who offers constructive advice?

I don't miss Arlene at all. What I do miss is having a judge that has experience as either a choreographer or is a professional ballroom/latin dancer. I think the comments would have more weight and gravitas. I don't want to knock Alesha, she is begining to settle in the role but her inclusion on the judging panel is similar to that of the lady who is the Dancing on Ice judge (her name escapes me) who appears in all the West End musicals. I'm not really sure what she is adding to the show.

Ruthie Henshall.

Thank you!!

I just posted something similar on another thread... I miss Arlene and the relationship between her and the guys. They'd worked together for six seasons and there was a chemistry there between them which hasn't developed yet with Alesha.

Something did need to be done with the judging panel, as the overmarking went beyond a joke last season, but I don't see that improving much this season yet.

As for Alesha, while she's not as bad as I thought she'd be, I can't say I'm a fan of her judging. The first couple of weeks in particular were terrible, especially the few times she began talking over the other judges or adding comments after everyone had spoken and she'd already had her turn. There's a certain level of decorum that she lacked, which she only seems to be gaining now.

And her laugh still annoys me.

But aside from that, while on one level I can see that the advice she gives is accurate and useful, the other part of me doesn't accept it and doesn't believe that she knows enough to be dishing out this kind of advice. Even Erin disagreed with one of her comments the other night, and when it comes to knowing what they're talking about, I'd pick Erin or any of the professional dancers over Alesha. Alesha may not have said anything wrong, but there is a lack of expertise there which I find hard to get over, and I'd imagine some of the professionals and celebrities would feel the same.

^this

i talk over her and after she finishes i say, 'whatever' i'm terrible

Well said. I for one am really happy that Arlene isn't judging anymore.

I don't miss Arlene's increasingly tortured alliterations, and her lusting, also her witch hunt over Sergeant was a bit harsh, but to be fair she did give some helpful advice and criticism amongst all the other stuff. Just wish they had replaced her with a more qualified judge who had some interesting comments to make.

Having also watched from day 1, I agree 100%.