When watching the highlights of the dances at the end of the show on Sunday, I couldn't help but think that 3 of the props are basically the same - well can be used the same way. The cane(s), the umbrella and the microphone stand.

While these 3 items are different, they can all be used in the same way - sticks basically. There was the obvious differences between but when the microphone came off the stand and the umbrella was down they were used very much the same way. What I mean is there was nothing that Hayley and Dan did (when the umbrella was down) that Keiron and Briana could don't with the microphone when it was out of the stand. Same can be said about Gary and Maria.

However the only other prop I can think of from previous years is the feather boa and I thought that was a bit hit and miss.

Anyone got any ideas for different props that could possibly be used?

One of my favourite props ever was the suitcase that Kyran and Mel used, and they also used it in a very inventive way.

A ladder?

In a behind the scenes vid on Phillip Schofield's website last year, some of the judges (two of Robin, Jason and Nicky but I can't remember which two) said that they would like to see all the contestants using the same prop. They thought it was fairer and would be a better way to compare and judge each routine. So perhaps that's why this year, three props were quite similar?

I agree with them. I don't think there's any need to vary them - they don't vary any of the other required elements yet still manage to make all the routines look different.

I don't really think it would be fairer though - the whole thing would still be dependent on the choreography as ever.

At least different props adds a bit of interest to watch - I think all 5 of the props were actually reasonably well used this year.

A sun lounger

I understand that all couples having the same prop would be fairer and that different tricks would be done with them and that why should this required elements have basically different elements (same requirement - a prop, different elements - differents props).

But I would prefer that they have completely different props from each other like one having the hat, another with the chair, another with suitcase etc. just so there is a bit of variety in the show and so the choreography and elements of the skating and dancing would be completley different.

A skipping rope!

I hate props. The damn hat.

evil...very evil! I can just imagine some of the crashes!!

Don't I remember Chris Fountain using a table?

On Philip Schofields blog there is a video of where the chair went when Daniella let go of it to go into the float spin....it very nearly knocked Maria and Gary out!