No there isn't but, for me, the issue is that she shouldn't have been saying anything like that in the first place. It is unprofessional of Alesha to use Zoe's exit as an excuse to slate Craig, particularly as she actually named Zoe. She should comment on the dance in front of her.

I wonder if she's been quietly informed that her contract won't be renewed after this series and is now thinking, "What the hell."

Why did she get mentioned?

I had initially supported Alesha on her appointment as a new judge.

Tonight, however, she was just, well, nasty.

Totally agree with this. I hope alesha reflects on what she said to Craig. Yes, he wasn't good but that was spiteful. Lets hope she reads the forums.

There's no need to say it at all. Zoe's departure last week has got nothing at all to do with how Craig danced this week.

I don't know about telling her what to say, but I am sick of him continually justifying her critique; how many times does he have to say "she is right in what she said....."

Please God she'll have 'other projects to concentrate on' when next year's show comes around.

I think my point is as valid as anyone else's. I repeat Alesha was patronising and rude. While the audience might disagree with anything that's remotely offensive/nagative what she said was more than remotely offensive.

Twas a bit daft comment from Alesha, seeing as she's someone who no doubt cheered the odd no-hoper she got more friendly with than somebody who could dance a bit better when she was doing the dancing. As others have said, Craig didn't put himself anywhere ... he just kept turning up every week, trying and mostly failing, getting told he was rubbish and waiting to see what happened after the public vote. None of it in his hands.

If she wanted him off the show, it was also a pretty daft way to go about it. If Craig was actually good at being bad, she could have made him more likely to be saved again. As it is, she got lucky. Craig was never a cult two left-footer in the making.

She did seem rather rude tonight. It could have been said with a bit more sensitivity especially as his parents were there. Surprised Craig's Mum didn't come over and bash her with her handbag.
I think Alesha is trying to prove herself a judge but she still has a lot to learn.

Ms Dixon (and all her supporters, fellow judges and whinos at the BBC) all defended her appointment on the basis she KNEW what the competitors were going though, how they felt and the fact that it was never about her dancing expertise but her ability to empathise with the contestants.

Well Alesha, you certainly have blown that one out the water haven't you love. Lovely.

I found her comments unprofessional and patronising. Zoe's departure wasn't Craig's fault. The public didn't vote enough to save Zoe from the dance off.

Ignazio and Missfrankiecat I agree with you so completely. I was absolutely appalled by Alesha tonight. I rarely comment if I don't like something on here - I usually prefer to focus on the positive - but she really did offend me tonight.

What you say above is absolutely right.



Cornchips, I agree with you too. I am no fan of Craig Kelly - in fact, he made the "red mist" descend with me, and I had to really battle with myself when posting on my own thread (we like to do reports on the dances each week and I had to choose not to say anything about Craig's because I didn't trust myself not to be unfair) - but Alesha, in the position of a judge, should be professional and yet still state the truth, as Len did tonight - it wasn't nice - because Craig was obviously clearly poor (and it has to be said, deluded!) but Len said it in as truthful and as kind a way as he could without kicking someone who was clearly the weakest dancer.

There can be little doubt in the majority of people's minds that Craig WAS the weakest dancer and should have been the one to go - I think few would disagree with that - but to say "because Zoe went last week and I had to endure THAT" is unprofessional, unkind, and crass at best. Even though Craig was dreadful, there is a better way to say it than that.

Alesha then compounded her unprofessionalism by being patronising - I found her "you were very sweet my love" just appalling in view of how actually nasty and unprofessional she had just been - and I really found myself actively disliking her.

I didn't want to - I am very much in the Cutler camp and I loved her partnership with Matt - but since then my opinion of her has increasingly sunk, and now is at rock bottom. I think you are right Cornchips - she WAS rude and crass - and I wish she'd never taken the job.

On a night when Strictly was in such a beautiful place, the home of dance, she tainted it for me with her crassness and I couldn't help wishing for her to have been more sensitive in her comments whilst still speaking the truth. I don't like Craig, as I say, and I think it is right he went - but they all work so hard every week, that whether they are good or not, they do not deserve that kind of put down - which is so completely dismissive of everything they have tried for and I think each celeb deserves some respect for that at least, even if they are poor.

I don't like feeling and speaking in this way - but I really cannot help how I feel about her now.

Poor show Alesha - I thought you'd have been better than that. You actually disgust me and I wish you hadn't come back.

I think being blunt and harsh is the only way to get it in to Craig's thick skull that he can't dance, and that he never will.

I think the Zoe comment was justified... After all, it was he who shamelessly courted the sympathy vote which resulted in Zoe's elimination.

I am glad he's gone. Hopefully SCD will restore a little bit of credibility as a dance contest from next week.

I got incensed once. I stood too close to a priest swinging his censer.

At least I smelled nice

Will you do the same whenever anyone criticises one of the other judges, or is it just Alesha who must be protected? I felt that Alesha's comment to Craig tonight was crass and pathetic, and that she let herself down, and I don't see why I should have to criticise another judge to be able to say that, although if it's so important to you then you can check my posting history if you want to see that I have criticised other judges on previous weeks.

The whole point of Alesha is that she's not another professional judge. She's there to say what she thinks and be more positive - unless there's not much anyone could say thats positive - and to give the contestant's view. Most contestants would think it unfair that a hopeless person was lingering on and the better people were going because of them. Craig has worked up that support so he's hardly an innocent party. Alesha's been hired to encourage more than Arlene did but to be honest when dire people are past their sellby date . People didn't like Arlene saying it so her job is to say it in a way they think more people will follow - subtlety didn't work before so she tried being blunt. Seems to have worked.

Agreed. I love it how when other judges make "bitchy" comments it's "funny" and "witty" but when Alesha makes ONE comment which is completely justified everyone "has a tantrum"

What about empathy towards Zoe?

Didn't think of that before you started your rant, did you?

Cheaper than Hugo Boss.

Alesha was 100% correct, the comment was totally justified, Zoe should still be there, but at least the worst dancer has gone now.

SCD can only restore credibility when they re-employ a judge who is an expert in dance, and not just eye candy.....

What makes me laugh is how i argued and stuck up for her when she was getting all that stick. Just when she was getting herself some fans she goes and does that. Never thought she was that person tbh. Even Craig who i dislike would have been softer. The way she said ''I had to ENDURE THAT'' sounded almost like he was garbage and that's just out of order. I hope the papers don't make a massive issue out of this though but she only has herself to blame because it's not like she's young, and new to SCD. She was a contestant once for god's sake!!!!!

Heartfelt words, TangoQueen. And no one imagines that Mr Cutler would ever speak to anyone in public like that! Ms Dixon would do well to understand how much she owed him for her popularity and try to emulate his respect for others.

Not the Arlene old chesnut again!!!!

If she's there to give the contestant's view then that just makes her comments worse, as she should be considerate of all contestants, not just the ones who are better dancers. Also, you can't put any blame on Craig for trying to get support when everyone does it.