Her comments and markings could be wildly different to the other judges and could alter who is top and bottom of the leaderboard. I read that she said, she Never did ballroom or latin before, and had a few lessons recently to get familiar with both types of dance.

I'm still baffled as to why those in charge of SCD did not ask Camilla Dallerup, Nicole Cutler or Karen Hardy, people with a lifetimes experience of ballroom and latin to be the 5th judge.

I hope she will change things in a good way. I cling to any straw.

I can't see much changing.

She has a background in ballet and will therefore identify most with the balletic Ali.

If anything, Darcey will merely reinforce the current standings.

She said on BBC breakfast this morning that during her ballet class she made a list of ones to watch for and they are still in the competition except Jade.....so dont think there will be too much change myself.

Whilst acknowledging Darcy's world renowned stature in ballet, I find it strange that the beeb should appoint a judge who has to take a crash course in ballroom and latin, in order to adjudicate.

As others have said what is wrong with asking Karen Hardy: failing that there must be many experts available more qualified than either Darcy or Alesha.

Karen Hardy is in Australia to judge a dancing contest. She said so on It Takes Two. She wouldn't be available for the last few weeks of the show.

You don't need to convince me Ignazio!

It's not rocket science that the ideal replacement judge would be a pro dancer. So why can't the Beeb oblige?

They couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, let alone a respectable judging panel on our favourite show.

She might be in Australia now but had she been asked before the series started to join the panel would she have turned the Strictly offer down?

I share others bafflement as to why someone from within ballroom dancing couldn't have been offered the job and the only reason I can think of is that the producers wanted 'names' first and knowledge second...

Cos none of them would have relationships and favourates that might affect how they judge their mates, colleagues, ex-lovers and husbands....

Baffling, absolutely incomprehensible....

That would be a slightly more convincing argument What name?? if the current panel weren't exhibiting all the signs of having clear favourites themselves

I can't see how she will make much difference really. Obviously ballet is completely different to ballroom and latin, but I'm sure she can still recognise a good dancer when she sees it.

I have zero dance training and I can see that Ricky and Ali are streets ahead of everyone else. I'm sure Darcey will as well.

If they were why would the solution be add even more reasons for bias?

Then you definately shouldn't be on the panel as you are clearly displaying the same bias the judges do towards people who dance to a higher standard! Disgusting!!!!!!

I'm not suggesting they would be biased either for or against other dancers in the show What name?? You are

IMO as pro dancers they would at least be able to back up whatever they say with a technical critique that would leave at least two of the current panel looking even more superfluous than they are now

Great minds

Eh? I'm not on the panel.

Luckily, the Tango and Samba don't require balletic movements.

But doesn't that make it even more ludicrous - she'll be making a judgement on dances about which she knows zilch.

How true - the trouble with the BBC is they think they know best - whilst in reality they haven't got a scooby. They sit huddled up in their Ivory Tower (Television Centre) and have brainstorming sessions to dream up totally daft ideas. Is it really sane reasoning to put a prima ballerina and a pretty girl with limited knowledge in as judges whilst ignoring ballroom experts be they famous or not who really know their stuff. At the moment the current flavours of the month are Darcey Bussell, Alesha Dixon and Natalie Hop-a-long.

If they are into daft ideas - here is a idea for all the loopy loos at TC, TRR, BH, or wherever the programme makers hang out.

Colin Firth in a wet shirt

At least then they would keep one viewer happy!

2,

If nothing else, Darcey's presence means that Len will not have what amounts to two votes in the dance off.

Could have had Karen/Camilla as a 5th judge from the start, though.

Well he certainly did for Elisabeth Bennett.

Or have I got the spelling mixed up?

Elizabeth Bennett with a z
married Fitzwilliam Darcy.
But Darcey with an E
danced with The Royal Balley.

I didn't know that Mr Darcy's name was pronounced "Dar sed" to rhyme with z.

Gosh, you learn summat new every day, don't you?

Erm... it's a dance competition. Isn't that the point?