Right... I love Strictly, and it's one of my most favourite show on television, as i think it's a programme that the whole family can enjoy from 7 to 70.

HOWEVER, there are a few changes i would like to be made to the show next year....

1. There should be a results show, but i think it should be a 30 minute show on a Saturday night, AFET the main show about an hour or two later. For example main show 6:45 - 8:00 AND then the REsults show 9:30 - 10:00.
I think this would work much better as there would be more anticipation for the results outcome, more time to vote and also the show would seem less dragged out.

2. Arlene Philips should be re-instated as judge, she is brilliant, and the original four judges work so much better together. I would have Alesha Dixon as guest judge for the semi finals and finals.

3. For the dance off, i don't think Len Goddman should have extra voting power, I think if the judges can't reach a majority verdict, i think the couple with least amount of public vote should leave the competition, it's much more fair, and would work better. This is very much like The X Factor.

4. I think the producers/BBC needs to attract much bigger names to the competition, to garner more excitement for the show, and to bumper ratings. Now i understand they can't have a-list superstars, but i do think there should be at least 3 or 4 big top names for example: Jonathan Ross, Martine McCutcheon, Katie Price, Tamzin Outhwaite, Ann Robinson, Jamie and Louise Redknap, Melanie C etc....

5. I think the show needs to invite much bigger and more current and relevant music stars to perform, rather than artists/bands of yesteryear that not much young people are interested in or know about. This year it's been terrible, well apart from Amy Winehouse, and even then she was doing backing vocals.

I agree with all your points apart from No. 2, I've never really liked Arlene as a judge, and I really do think a seperate results show would be great but I don't think it's possible to fit it into the schedule alongside all the other Saturday night shows.
I also think it might be an idea to move Strictly to a Sunday night- that way it wouldn't clash with X Factor, although maybe this wouldn't be possible.

... I think Aunty Beeb ought to do what they did with Dr Who this year... let it rest for a year. No Strictly in 2010! I know we'd all be mortified, but absence makes the heart .. and all that!

This would give the Beeb the opportunity to COMPLETELY overhaul it, namely:

1 Drop Bruce
2 Line up some real A/B list celebs
3 Quietly drop the disaster that is Alesha as a judge (Sorry dah-ling. but you is rubbish, as you would say)
4 Sort out the scheduling
5 Train the cameramen/director to let us see the whole of the dancer's bodies - not just the top half!
6 and lots of other good ideas on these boards

I guess maybe an Easter and Christmas special of some sort to keep our appetites whetted and try out some ideas would be sensible.

Ditch the handheld camera. I will need to take seasick pills if it goes on much longer!

Two things I don't think they can do are:

a) Have a late results show on Saturday. It'd be too late for the audience.

b) Move it to Sunday - they already have programs there and they wouldn't want it to clash with Top Gear.

Also, I'll just state now that if they get celebrities of the calibre of Katie Price I'd really have to think about not watching. Vile woman!

Hi all - this is my first post here so please be gentle!

I definitely agree with dropping Bruce. I used to be a fan but now feel he is well past his prime. Retire him, shoot his scriptwriter but if he has to stay, please please don't let him sing! I'm still undecide about Alesha. I do feel she is growing in confidence and think she should be given a full series before we judge her.

I'd like a slightly later results show too, I really don't feel there is that much time for the public to vote.

And slightly off topic, but why don't the proceeds of the voting to go Children in Need anymore? I'd definitely reinstate that.

It would also be nice if they used more modern songs to the dances, I know they do occasionally and that more traditional songs suit the dances better, but it would certainly help the show appeal more to a younger audience. Getting better and more modern music guests would also be a big improvement.

1. 15 minutes to vote is just to short.

2. Don't even think about moving it to Sunday - having it clash with Top Gear is a no no for me. Clarkson and co would complain.

3. Get rid of Tess, replace with Zoe Ball.

4. Make Craig RH head judge.

5. Have less contestants - 12 or 10 would do, 14 is too many.

It's all due to the fall out of the phone vote scandals (and a couple of complaints)...

Basically if poeple wanted to vote, they were forced to make a donation to charity. There was no way for someone who didn't want to make a donation to CIN to place a vote.

This was deemed unfair so the BBC had to scrap the donation and the cost of the call dropped fom 50p (I think) to 15p.

NOTE: (This bit comes up every month or so) The BBC do not make any money from the phone vote. It is written in their Charter that they cannot.

So there you go. A couple of people complain and the whole thing gets scrapped. Moral is to think carefully before one makes trivial complaints.

I like most of the changes this year, but if I could make some more changes they would be -

1. Go back to 12 couples and start everybody dancing the same week.

2. Replace the Rhumba and the Samba with the Jitterbug and the Charleston, as we rarely see a decent Rhumba or Samba on SCD. It would be fun to see the couples having a good time with these new dances (they did them on this series DWTS).

3. Add Karen Hardy or Shirley Ballas as a 5th judge.

4. Go back to holding the final in Blackpool.

changes I like this series

All couples doing a ballroom and a latin before elimination

First two weeks shows on a Friday and Saturday, really gets the mood going

Holding the half way show in Blackpool

having previous celebs do a turn, loved Jill Halfpenny


I'd change

split results show from main show, and make it shorter

ditch the dance off,IF it must be there have ONLY public voting once the couples are doing two dances a week

sorry get rid of Alesha

Have 5 judges who know something about dancing

Agree with all your reasons for why it's been more enjoyable this year. Also agree with all tiny tweeks which I also think would make the show better.

I agree with some of the comments made here. Overal I feel that scd need to be more contemporary.

It needs to change the set. It looks way past its best. It needs to be modern and larger. If studio one at tvc can not accomm then they should move to elstree.

The success of the show is based on its contestants. This year the selection has been below par and I think the quality and level of dancing (with a few exceptions) is lower than previous series.

Leave the judging panel as it is. I have mixed views about Alesha but as quoted here is growing in confidence and is not that bad.

Change the format of the show. It needs to speed up. Each show seems the same. its getting boring.

Change some of the pro dancers and get new blood in.

Dance/ballroom is still very popular in this country and scd can improve on its success by leading and applying it to new generation.

I would -

1) ditch Bruce , Bruno maybe Tess and Anton

2) have less couples to start with

3) have results show after lottery

4) ensure the highly paid presenters can pronounce Ola's name correctly. I guess she does not mind too much as I sure her husband would have said something by now.

5) improve camera work

6) discourage audience from clapping during dance.

7) have Karen Hardy as a judge - or maybe rotate a couple of pro dancers in judge role.

Thanks Quizmike, I didn't realise that was why the dropped the CIN donation, really interesting. It is a shame that they had to stop doing it that way on the basis of a couple of complaints, I'd speculate that the majority of voters didn't mind.

Would echo many of the changes suggested by others:

1. Definitely drop Alesha as judge next time round. Loved her as a contestant on the show but she just isn't working as a judge. I find her gushy comments (eg. about Jade's legs) a bit inane and stupid and when she delivers harsh comments she sometimes comes across quite bitchy and catty. But I think Alesha would be a perfect co-host for Bruce (if they keep Bruce, see point 2) as she has a great personality, looks fantastic and could really empathise backstage with all the celeb dancers.

2. Very undecided whether Bruce should stay. Some of his gags are embarrassingly lame but when I've heard him randomly on Talksport he is actually very dry and funny. Maybe a better script/joke writer is needed? It would be v hard to imagine Strictly without him and not sure who would have the necessary presenting skills, gravitas to front such a big show and dancing background. Possibly Anton in year or two but he needs to work on gravitas (and presenting skills having seen Hole in the Wall!!).

3. Actually think in hindsight it was time for Arlene to go and would love to see Karen as a judge - she is absolutely brilliant on Choreography Corner on ITT.

4. Preferred last year's format of Saturday show and Sunday Results Show as actually felt able to watch and enjoy the pro dances without frantically skyplussing through Saturday's show to get to the denouement. At the moment, Saturday's show feels way too long and padded out.

5. Loving Craig who is my favourite judge this series. Used to like Bruno but his theatrical OTT comments are getting on my nerves plus he really seems to have favourites. But perhaps one judge change (Karen for Alesha) is enough if Bruno can just slightly tone it down. Otherwise worth considering bringing on another female judge (Shirley Ballas would be brilliant) to even things out.

6. Really agree with the poster who suggested introducing the Jitterbug and Charleston.

7. Not sure the dance off really works as you have to sit through the same (normally appalling) dances again and most times its obvious who will go.

8. Costume design could do with some improvement. I know its probably hard to come up with original designs but some of the dresses have been absolutely shocking this series!!

Replace Tess with Christine Bleakley. I dont know how they'd replace Bruce but God knows its needed. And under no uncertain terms should Anton step up to the plate though. I think Wogan is the natural successor.

14 couples to start off with instead of 16.

I'm lost with where to go on the panel. I think its too late for Arlene to be reinstated and I dont think anybody would touch that particular panel with a bargepole all things considered so we may well have Alesha for another run.

Spruce up the set a tad too in that the steps dont wobble when they're walked down and look like they'll come crashing down at any given moment.

Better guests, easier said than done I know but they've been walked over in that department this year too. Considering the contacts the BBC have I expect more.

Scrap this cap of 50k nonsense, a good lineup is the make or break factor.

Oooh! I do agree with number 3! Either Karen Hardy or Shirley Ballas will do but please please get rid of Alesha!!! Am sick of hearing her say "you was"!!!

The beeb need to understand this. I hope they read these boards because the consensus is astonishing (apart from for my idea of a 2010 gap year!)

Definitely 12 QUALITY couples
Definitely drop Samba/Rumba until maybe the final stages (so it's with with celebs that can dance)
Would support Charleston/Jitterbug/LindyHop
Karen Hardy - YES YES YES
Bruce/Tess - NO NO NO

As mentioned the format is tired:

1 Bruce lame Joke followed by plea for applause
2 See their training (trip, "can't do it", "want to get to Blackpool" etc)
3 90 seconds we all want to see - unfortunately the camera work is so rubbish we can't
4 2 x sensible judge's feedback, one iffy and one drivel ("Ricky, you was brilliant")
5 Rubbish interview with Tess (someone ought to explain closed and open questions to her)
6 Scores

Repeat n times

7 Over the hill act (eg Andy Williams) or really good one (eg Jamie C) - more of the latter please

8 Sound bites galore from Judges and from celebs ("It's the experience of a lifetime", "I'd be devastated to leave", "I love dancing with x, they are the best teacher" etc etc - we've heard it all before - oh, apart from "I come from Blackpool and want to go home" - that was new)

9 Bruce and Tess "No one wants to leave" blah blah - Scores and Dance off (can we get the stats man to invent a more fair scoring system?)

10 "X and Y you've done all you can" - who writes this stuff?

IT IS A FANTASTIC SHOW - the BBC have made a lot of money selling it around the world. Now get a completely new production team in with fresh ideas - or sell it to Simon Cowell (he said he'd buy it) to revitalise the whole thing.

1. Split the show into two - giving people more time to vote
2. Give Karen Hardy a judges job
3. Move Alesha sideways into a ITT roving reporters role
4. Extend ITT to an hour on Monday and Fridays
5. Hold the final at Blackpool
6. Len's vote not to count as a double vote- if it is tied at 2-2 refer to the public vote as the casting vote.
7. Scrap the dance off when it gets to the two dances per couple stage

I totally agree. She is a celebrity only in her world. In mine she's a nobody.

I also can't stand jonathan Ross. I think he's an over paid ego.

I definitely think they should replace Bruce Forsyth. He is well passed his best. His 'jokes' are old and tired and not very funny. I forward through his bits. Which makes it a much better show.

The voting system needs a proper look at. I think the bottom half of the leader board only, should be up for the vote. That way you wouldn't get the farces from the previous years.

There are a few things I'd still want to change...

1) New seating arangment for the judges with Len back in his old, head judge spot. And the addition of Karen Hardy or Shirley Ballas as people have said would be an improvement but to keep things positive I won't point fingers as to who'll get the boot.

2) There should be a gap. Strictly wasn't made to be over and done with in 2 hours. Makes Sundays so meaningless and leads to watching X-Factor which should be done within 2 hours. How ironic.

3) Lifts should be allowed. I quite liked Anton's Paso but was about to kill him tonight after that flying jump he put in. Whether the female pros have learnt to fly since last year is a different matter, but I think a whole show discussing why he decided to "aid Laila in her flight" was a waste! Just let them jump about if they wish; it's like with most things - let them do it and the novelty will wear off. Simple.

4) Blackpool should be saved for the final (only), during which the freestyle should be scored. The finals of recent years only let us see the paddles from 8-10 at best, so getting to judge the gems such as Brenda's and Erin's attempts would make it more varied.

5) Celebrities should be told to check their calenders before signing up just in case they're job is likely to become an invalid excuse for being crap.

That quite quickly went negative. ooops.

I agree with repacing Alesha as a judge, but I do like her being involved with the show.

I'd put Karen on as Alesha's replacement on the judging panel. It's been brilliant having her on CC this series and proves how much she knows what she's talking about. Then they could possibly give Alesha a recurring role on ITT somehow. Maybe on the Friday panel? I know we've had some great stars on there, but it almost feel a lot of the time they do it for themselves, rather than the show. Alesha does have a connection to the show and, given how popular she was as a contestant, could earn back a few of the fans she lost when she took over the judges role.

I'm not sure if it would work referring to the public vote in the event of a tie in the bottom 2. Anyone that's heard what's happened with X Factor this week will know it could do more harm than good. Although saying that, if it's a strong contender vs. a weaker one, it's likely (I hope) that there would be a maority vote between the judges, anyway. Plus, I think that could make it too easy for them in events like the Zoe vs. Ali D/O. Instead of choosing one and being responsible for losing the other, they'd just outright hand it back to the public.

Would LOVE to see the LindyHop introduced. I think that would be an amazing dance to really have everyone tapping along. Plus (I've never done it myself) it looks awfully challenging. A perfect task for the celebs. I'd put it at a later stage in the competition though.

Definately agree that there should be a break between the main show and the results. Not only does it allow longer time to vote (15 minutes doesn't seem long enough somehow), it also allows viewers to stretch their legs. Possibly make a fresh cuppa or something. Problem is, how would they fit it all into the BBC saturday nigh schedule? Don't they have Casualty, Lottery & Merlin to fit in too?

Hi Amanda Agree with all the points I've edited above. IMO Bruce has had his day now and is making the programme look old hat. Even my Mum, who is 73, groaned when he started singing and said that he's ALWAYS been overbearing and egotistical and that and she couldn't stand him when she was young and her opinion hasn't changed much




Agree with everything Especially ditching the Rumba and Samba for the Charleston and Jitterbug. It would inject a bit of pure entertainment into the show. The Rumba is SO boring :yawn: The Charleston and Jiggerbug are exciting and would liven the show up no end



Good points but particularly agree with those I've put in bold I'm totally fed up of the cameramen not showing the contestants FEET all the time! I want full length shots thank you so I can checkout their footwork!! And I much preferred the shows format the way it was in 2007 where there was a break (usually Casualty) with the results show coming later. It gave you a break and built up the suspense for the results show. At the moment I find myself getting a bit impatient.

They need to decide what they are trying to do with the judges. If they have changed things to avoid ridiculous public votes they need to stop Bruno taking things back and stirring the anti-judge vote up. It looks like they moved one way and then decided to go back to panto. Alesha is fine now. Arlene's newspaper columns just reveal why she would stir up the old problems again.

If they have decided that they can't get votes to reflect ability and have tried everything they have 4 choices :

Give up and turn it into - Strictly Panto Unrelated to the Dancing.

Live with it and use the dance off to get two good dancers to the final if you possibly can

Change the purpose of the public vote to say saving one of the three worst

Do away with the public vote before the final and let someone else decide

It could do with a bit more excitement - the Charleston idea worked on DWTS.

The amount of performance supported seems very variable - Laila last week had one of the few really dramatic outfits and music to fit her routine. They could spend more here.

The public seem to demand their weekly blood but sometimes you wonder if it would be better if we saw everyone for a bit longer at the start, and then give people a bit longer between bigger culls later on. Thats probably too complicated though and not bloody enough.

Someone needs to look at the music choices and spend some money getting rights to better ones if needed.

They seriously need to avoid putting current BBC stars with big followings on when they know the support carries over - particularly when in Phil's case he has also won another bigger reality tV show by just smiling a lot.