From universally respected former prima ballerina to derided "has-been so-called expert" "biased" in favour of a "bland/lazy/gurning/cocky" contestant on a show that "I shan't be watching any more".

And all in maximum two Saturdays. Phew!

You forgot, "That never in a million years deserved a 10, obviously HER favourite".

I'm sure she's noted how Alesha appears to have chucked away some of the goodwill she built during her victorious run on the show.

I thought she and Alesha were to split the time half and half , cant say I blame her for only doing the two shows when her kids are on holiday and as she says in the Radio Times interview it's for the money.

Whatever Darcy does I don't see her status as a 'respected former prima ballerina' being under any sort of threat tbh. Doubtless one or two posters will find something to howl about but I can't imagine she'd lose any sleep over it

Darcy Bussell has devoted her life to dance and is a much respected and loved performer. I remember "The Mirror" routine with Dawn French in an episode of "The Vicar of Dibley. Darcy will bring a different element to the show and no-one could accuse her of not knowing what she is talking about. She is an amazing dancer - you don't get to be a Principal Artist with the Royal Ballet without years and years of training and working your way up through the ranks. When she speaks - it will be with authority because she knows what she is talking about - unlike another little Diva on the Judging Panel.

She'll be "letting herself in for" a sizeable pay packet for a lot less work than a ballet performance.
Job opportunities other than teaching are few and far between for ex-ballet dancers.
Still, if she needs the cash, there's always "Loose Women."

Anything she has to say, will be rather academic at this stage in the competition.

Yeah, Bruno is quite a madam.

She'll probably be used a branch to beat Alesha with (Isn't Darcey so much more clever? Isn't Darcey so much more dignified? Isn't Darcey much prettier?) although if she dares to give Ali good marks for being good at dancing, she'll probably be accused of rigging it because they both do ballet and therefore share a psychic sympatica.

Actually I was thinking about this and Ali's ballet training might just go against her! Remember we're talking about a Prima Ballerina here who knows how a lot of what Ali's been doing SHOULD be done! She might give Ali a full blown critique of how to use her arms more effectively and stop them shaking when they're in hold!

After seeing her on ITT I'm really looking forward to her comments. Hopefully she'll bring the constructive criticism about technique that the show has lacked this series.

Don't hold your breath, I say. When she was interviewed in ITT, she already said she aspired to score like Len, and not like Craig. She doesn't want to be booed, so I think she'll only have score cards from seven upwards.

Bad nosejob

If she can comment on Ricky's sickle feet I will be more than satisfied.She will probably annoy Chris's fans by calling out his technique too.

As OP, I'd just like to say that my original post was intended as an ironic comment on what some people post in this forum, rather than a serious comment on Darcey's arrival.

I'm absolutely chuffed that a few of the humour-free zones have unwittingly outed themselves as such in response. Also amused at being able to identify who knows their Jane Austen better than they know their ballet.

Thanks, you've made my point for me. Thread can now be ignored. But if you do have a sense of humour, feel free to bump it from time to time to maximise the readership.

I reckon Ms B has been deliberately misleading us with statements about wanting to mark like Len. Imagine the shock factor if she really puts the boot in and makes serious use of Alesha's lower digits.

Competition to be Prima Ballerina is cut-throat, and Darcey got there at a very young age. Beneath the pleasant exterior lurks a ruthless assassin if you ask me. I wouldn't be surprised if rather than just disagreeing with Len or Bruno she whips out a pair of old ballet pumps and slaps them mid-pontification.

She might make the dancers stand on their toes whilst she opines as well. That would sort the wheat from the chaff.

What with Anton's Salsa and Darcey's judging, Satruday promises to be one of the more exciting episodes of SCD. I predict more tears than a Lisa or Rachel Dance-Off.

Completely agree with the last post - TLF

I have a feeling that Darcy will be making full use of several different numbered paddles - although I doubt she will be reaching for the 1 and 2.... (3 maybe for Anton's Salsa!)

Saturday should be a good show (well actually 2 shows) coz the Beeb have finally woken up to the need for 2 shows instead of one huge long one. Im a huge dance fan but the one long show has left me yawning the last few weeks.

Strap yourselves in... this Saturday could be a huge tustle between the public and the judges!

THe first 15 mins of Saturday will be a lovefest for Darcy first Bruce will bang on about her then Len and his cronies, then Tess and the celebs...then we might actually see some dancing.

BBC cutbacks - perhaps they'll give Darcey the 1 to 6 paddles that the props department seems to keep forgetting to give Len. That way, between the two of them, they'll have one complete set!

I do hope Darcy will prove to be a fair and less bias judge than our usual panel have proved to be this series

I wonder if the Beeb is pressuring Anton to wax his chest to really up the impact this week?

Laila and Anton are surely due to get the chop on Saturday, and this could be the last chance to see Anton waxed, in a pink shirt.

How people can say this series lacks excitement is beyond me...

Darcey is very smart and very funny. She's completely at ease on front of a camera and unfazed by most things.

I think her biggest struggle will be keeping a straight face

Would "most things" include a waxed Anton in a pink shirt, though?

I predict a riot on Saturday...

I’m think Darcey will be a revelation on the Judges panel … she is absolutely superb at making constructive criticism … and praising highly when she sees excellence …
When Darcey was 20 and rehearsing for Swan Lake, she, herself, was briefly mentored by Britain’s greatest ever dancer … Dame Margot Fonteyn … Prima Ballerina Assoluta … so with Darcey, SCD really is getting the best of the best. Darcey said recently that she would have loved to have actually competed in SCD …
I hope she performs an exhibition dance.

Maybe, just maybe, for a few fleeting moments, Darcy's presence might just bring a temporary respite from the panto dame antics that get so far up my nose from other members of the panel. I'm naming no one in particular but he's the Italian guy who sits on the extreme right of the panel as you look at them

Well she's being very candid if she admits its for money. The problem is its tax payer's money which is unnecessarily being wasted on an extra judge. I love Darcey but is the poor girl hard up or something. Doesn't the ballet world provide a pension for retired ballerinas.