You took the words right out of my mouth. Its no secret that her appointment was controversial. Viewing figures are down, series beset with problems, constant criticism in the media. It won't be any surprise if she doesn't come back.

I am indifferent to Arlene coming back, and think its unlikely, but would be delighted if the producers finally get it right and install Karen Hardy in Alesha's vacant spot.

Be interesting to see what happens.

Pleased Alesha is making these noises. I loved her and wished her well. After week one she did well and I liked her but as the series has gone on it is patentely clear that she cannot keep personal friendships out of judging and for all her strictly experience she only really empathises with those that are good, want to win, and are finding it hard as entertainers stay. Her judging to me isn't seen as independant.

I also don't want Arlene back.

Being a judge on SCD is not like a "proper" full time job where you get a regular monthly salary/weekly wages and join the company pension plan. She has signed a contract to do his series so of course she will be "leaving" at the end of it and she has no guarantee that she will be asked back next year or even if the will be a SCD next. year.

She is in a business where you forge your own career and take offers as and when they appear.

So there is no story here just a newspaper trying to wring a story out of a dry dishcloth.

I find it incredible that a couple of hundred words scribbled by a tabloid hack are taken seriously enough to start a debate. There seems to be no end to the GBP's appetite for this kind of trash.

Thank goodness a couple of people have got a grip on reality.

Quitting would be if Alesha left before the end of the series because that's when the job is supposed to end!

I agree this way everyone gets to save face and being in spite of thinking her an awful judge and being one of the many that she went too far in her comments to Craig - I basically like Alesha and wish her well and the whole judge thing hasn't done her any favours. Before this series started I would have said Arlene should come back but she's lost respect from me for her partisan attitude in favour of Rav - I think Karen coming onto the judging panel would be a much better idea and address the panel more in favour of ballroom/latin expertise as opposed to West End show cheorography - it might shake Len up too which is no bad thing.

I agree. In fact, maybe she's already been given the push but they're letting her say it's her decision.

This is great news! Hopefully the BBC can replace her with someone who knows what they are talking about

Hear Hear!....as long as whoever it is doesn't sound like a crow being tortured

Please, please, please let it be true.

The BBC is in deep trouble with SCD at this moment in time and the best thing they could do is to restore credibility to the judging panel.

I hope this is her first and last series!

put it on here because of thought as this is a SCD thread people might be interested...I do not know whether it is true or not - and I would be wary of assuming anything about the GBP - also you do not have to read it

Whether the report is true or untrue - there is a saying that there is no smoke without fire. I hope the statement is true because Alesha has lost all credibility as a judge.

My personal view is, if she goes back on the panel of judges next year, a great many people switch off or switch to another channel.

I kinda of a agree with you, I wouldn't be furious about Arlene being back but I don't really want her to. Move forwards rather than backwards and all that.

It's not really that surprising, sometimes things don't even need to be written down to get people going. The females on the show only have relax their stomach muscles and show a bit of belly to start the are they pregnant debate

While it's clearly naive to believe everything you read in a tabloid newspaper, it is also naive to dismiss everything in them. Alesha may well have given them that quote, in which case it's well worth discussing.

I think this could be the ideal situation for everyone involved. The BBC would be criticised whether they gave Alesha a contract for next year or not, so for her to not be interested saves them from a difficult decision, and takes away any chance of rejection for her.

Get Karen in as a judge! She was one of my favourite pros and the main show just isnt the same without her

Ah, I see. Naughty girl Craig can bitch and Bruno whine - and Spiv Len can whinge about lifts - but women are not allowed to be critical - because women judges are supposed to be 'nice' all the time?

It wouldn't matter what woman you put in there. One critical word and they'd be shot down in flames. Even Karen.

That article is, not surprisingly, wrong. It wasn't Alesha Dixon who caused a public outcry over the firing of Arlene Phillips - it was the BBC producers of SCD.

KP out of the jungle

Alesha possibly not returning to Strictly

Ali injured

Ricky arrested

Jedward out of X-Factor

What a week!!!!

Can't blame Alesha for finding something better to do on a Saturday night, most of the others involved, haven't, well......not until the panto season starts.
But how long she'll last in the US is a problem for her, lots of singers as good as, or better than her out there.

I agree, i hope she does well but it is a risky move to drop SCD (if she is) to then, go and try crack America. Amy Winehouse, Estelle, Joss Stone, Leona have all had sucess over their but most of the names i have mentioned are more talented and bring a different type of style to the table than Alesha imo.

She hasn't been asked back yet - and unless/until that happens, she won't be in the position to 'drop' SCD.

I thought that, leaving before she is pushed.

Exactly. Do you feel like we are on another planet today with all the bizarre posts today?

PS I like the word 'bizarre' - a good word for a Friday!