In recent weeks James has reporting for it ITT i was wondering weather he his about to become a reporter rather than carry on dancing

Or is doing it becsuse he got knocked out earlier in the programme and he got more time on his hands

He might as well.. no matter how good a partner he gets, he always leaves early. He had potential finalists in the last three years, and has still never made it very far!

Please, no. He can make Alesha sound well spoken.

You done two good dances

You know, if the BBC want to cut down to say 14 couples it'd make sense. Say James is offered a presenting role - I think Aliona may leave after her poor year this year; Matthew will get Kristina (he goes through woman quicker than Casanova) and Brian and Ola will be teamed up.

Would be a shame to lose him as a dancer. His Latin is excellent and he always respects the ballroom.

The reverse of which cannot be said for a certain Mr Du Beke who squandered an opportunity this year. You can't say James hasn't tried hard.

Unlike his English.

I think it`s more to do with Ola still being in the competition - he`s hanging around the behind the scenes more, Darren appeared to be on ITT alot etc when Lilia was in the competition with Gough.

I do enjoy his interviews etc.,

Hopefully he has also started to take on board the fact that his abrasive personality has perhaps contributed to the lack of success he has had in getting more able dancers further in the competition. By doing the ITT slots (for the most part rather well - apart from the Saturday interview), he has a chance to build up a more user-friendly image with the hard-core fans of the programme. Now if he could just sort out his choreography ....

I think he is trying to diversify. They all are, some more successfully than others. And why not? It makes sense career wise to have a backup plan and alternative source of money even if they want to remain dancing for as long as possible.

I agree with the poster above. No harm in trying your hand at something new if you're given the opportunity, and if he's successful then good luck to him. I don't think the language snobbery in this forum will be as widespread among the general audience, so I don't see that being an issue.

I have definitely been a convert to James this series. He has always been easily my least favourite, and I didnt expect to like him with Zoe, but I actually found that I enjoyed watching them, both dancing and on ITT etc. Then when he started to do his interview/features things on ITT I really found him easy to watch, I do think he has a natural ability, and also some of it has been 'live' (Fridays in rehearsals I think).
Personally I think he will end up doing some presenting in future, but not yet. I think there has generally been a positive reaction to his interviews and things and this won't have been lost on him, he is a performer after all. I expect we will see him in the dancing side of the show for a good few series yet, and continuing to increase in popularity.
I am amazed to find myself actually hoping that's the case!

Maybe he could take over from Brucie on SCD.....the sooner the better in my mind!

Yeah, I cringed at that one. I'm sure the bbc have training courses for presenters before they go live, but I like him as a dancer, would be a shame to lose him to presenting.

When they had a strictly forum question, on ITT a couple of weeks ago, which asked them where they saw themselves in five or ten years time Ola replied that she saw herself with children and a dog. If they are thinking of starting a family then it would make sense for James to try and move from dancing to commentating and judging whilst Ola takes time out.

Personally I have never been a big fan of James, but his work on ITT has suprised me in a good way. It wouldn't take much to get his grammar brushed up. He is knowledgeable and always looks keen and interested in what people are saying, essential qualities for an interviewer methinks .

His interview with Ricky and Natalie was particularly hilarious.

Ricky: I think we were in the bottom two because people assumed we were safe.

James: Yes, I think that was the same for me and Zoe.

TV gold.

I could certainly gve him a job or two to do

yes, that was indeed priceless

I thought the interview was vomit inducing.

James Jordan is a natural in front of the camera, has an easy, confident and relaxed style and is not "in your face."

Conversely, Darren Bennet, is terrible, "all in your face" last night, five minutes of him was enough for me.
I'm pretty sure the BBC will have plans for James.

He has a few problems with his grammar, but they'll sort that out.
The BBC has probably got a whole department for schooling; "presenters."..... They've enough of them.

Credit where credit's due, James is doing a fairly decent job at presenting.

But he's not so outstanding or such a big personality that I want to see him doing this all the time.

I'd hope it's just a case of ITT making the most of James as he was booted off early and trying to endear him to the audience a bit more as I'm convinced he's one of the less popular pros.

I think James has a natural flair for presenting. I like that he doesn't have an overwhelming personality as I find this either annoying or distracting when interviewing others. Basically, he's got it just about right.

The only aspects I'd change are his grammar, which isn't bad, just could be better, and his clothes - give him more of a modern classic look.

Agree with all of this! Although his clothes look ok to me! I've really warmed to James this year. I liked him last year too but this year he has become one of my favourites. I think a lot of people have had a change of heart about him. Rather like with Ola this year. So I'm hopeful that next year, given the right partner, he could go much further in the competition.

I think James is a great presenter. He is very natural and unaffected on screen, and is quite tactful in dealing with the remaining contestants considering that Ola is still in the competition. He seems to be genuinely popular with the other dancers as well (for example, I think Brian has remarked on how James made him feel welcome when he first joined strictly and there seems to be some quite friendly rivalrly with Brendan and VIncent). I think he would fit well into the sort of role that Tess does, but then I guess you'd want a female in Bruce's place to keep the male/female balance.

Much as I was appalled by the way he reacted to the JS-business, I DO like him as a presenter. He does seem natural and sensitive. And I'm loving Ola.

Is there something in the water this year? This surely can't be right..... *puzzled*