Looks like Derek Hough will be joining the pros on the next season of Strictly. A great coup if they get him, he is a fantastic dancer, young, good looking and just the type of pro they need to spice things up.

I think they are right to do a cull on the current pros... they need new fresh blood and Derek is perfect.

Source please?

They do need new faces, but at the same time they need to be careful who they axe from the show. They don't want to alienate even more fans after the Alesha fiasco. If Derek replaces Anton, who is quite frankly dire at latin, then I'd be quite happy but I wouldn't want to lose Ian, Matt or Vincent either.

Derek is not much taller than either Darren or Vincent (and certainly not up to Ian's tallness).

I believe the source for the post is from the Sun (see Greytops)

I'd love this to be honest. I like his choreography a lot. As long as it's not at the expense of Darren.

If we need to replace a strictly dancer with anyone, well he would be a good choice I suppose (although, thats just from reading other peoples posts in regards him as I don't watch DWTS)....and I'd rather they brought in some new guys this time since we had 3 new girls last time.

Maybe a shake up of the male pro's wouldn't be such a bad thing as we've not had any changes with them since I started watching 3 series ago...and if its publicitiy for going head to head with The X Factor that strictly are looking for...well, they wont get much more than what this will bring given the publicity that will surround him and Cheryl Cole.

Of course, its all bol..cks at this time!! No contracts until July.

This is almost certainly a coat-trailing exercise by his agent. Gets the lad some free publicity.

How it works?

Agent sees press coverage re Cheryl Cole.

Agent thinks, Aaahhhh! Could be useful.

Agent phones SCD Production office. They tell him to go away.

Agent now announces that he is "in negotiations" on behalf of Derek Hough.


Sun picks up story and amplifies it. Note they quote "A source" - i.e. the person in the next desk

I go back to sleep

Ho hum

JJ

The Sun

Lazy journalists......discussed on here months ago,denied by DH on twitter.

Paid much more in the States (with extras).....would the BBC equal that ?? and consequently pay all the UK pros the same as DH ??

This has raised its head more than once in the last two years. I dont believe its true because of the money situation, however if it is true I for one will be very pleased. He is a fantastic dancer (trained by Shirley Ballas), good looking in a boyish way and has produced some cracking routines on DWTS. Bring it on I say but cant see it being true.

This is an example of his work........last series on DWTS he had to produce a routine based on 'futuristic' and this is what he did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nidCOkGVa_4

I thought his sister Julieanne was a fantastic dancer as well, is she still dancing, does anyone know?

I'd love to see him over here - he's a fantastic dancer, great choreographer, but I wonder how well he would fit in. He is perfect for the American version of the show, so may find it difficult to get to grips with the way Strictly works - he'll find Len a lot tougher for a start!!!

That said, it does all sound like a rumour that keeps returning - I shall keep my fingers crossed though. Much as I like Anton, I do feel it is time for him to go. He could do some great backstage stuff - I'd be happier to see him rather than Tess!!

I'd love to see the back of James too, but that won't happen without Ola as of course she is now champion.

As long as Matthew stays!!!

He already dances for Len who is a judge on DWTS. Len told him off this series for not doing enough quickstep in his quickstep, but having been trained by Shirley Ballas I think he would find Len a pussycat in comparison. As I said earlier I cant see this happening myself mores the pity.

Oh dear, I hate it, it's just not "Strictly" enough for me

As long as he doesn't bring stupid themes like 'futuristic' with him (i.e. watching his work on DWTS makes the producers think it would be a good idea here) then I don't really mind, although I don't think for a moment it's true - what are pro dancers paid on DWTS in comparison to SCD I wonder....


It's from the Sun as well, so it's total rubbish (and indeed the article's half about Cheryl ). The pros don't get contracts until July, so nothing is truth until then!

It probably isn't true but I really want it to be, he's amazing and I think the show could do with one or two like him as long as it's not them all because then it might get a bit OTT.
As long as he doesn't replace my favourites, he's a big thumbs up from me

He is a fantastic dancer but as to whether you actually like what he does is a different thing,i've watched a lot of his routines and sometimes its as if he throws everything at it except the kitchen sink .......its all a bit frenetic.

That said i watched a Paso he did on DWTS a week or so ago that was stunning.........he's a bit hit and miss for me,i like subtle elegance/fluidity with no "showy" gimmicks.

If he could tone it down a bit and be a bit more subtle then bring it on but its all a bit academic at this stage because no one will know anything until June/July (and not 100% until a Pro walks out with a celeb at the press conference in August).

Why would he come over here anyway ??
He's paid well for DWTS,is very popular and is likely to be retained for the future.

Can't see it myself unless he comes over for the experience and because of his former connections with the UK.

..........and you still have the question of what he would do it for £££ wise and how that would impact on the BBC's budget regarding pros salary.

I've just watched a few of his routines on YT, and he does look brilliant...and kind of makes some of our guys look a bit 'dated' ...I don't know if the celebs I watched with him there look a better class than ours too though which might make things look a bit more polished.

Choreography wise he looks like could do some really good routines.... for showdances .....but I'm not too sure how he would fit into a normal weekly show unless he toned everything down a bit.

I think he would tone it down myself he does more showy things on DWTS because thats whats expected on their......Brian adapted so Derek could too. I agree with Dilly........I would rather watch Derek (flashy or not) than Anton doing the jive or Salsa any day. Although even if Derek doesnt come which I really doubt he will, I doubt I will have to watch Anton's Latin again.

I love Derek but i'd only want him over here if he replaced Anton, i really don't want any of the other pro's to go.

I very much doubt it's true though for all the reasons given already.

I hate it too. Its exactly why i just can't get involved with DWTS no matter how hard i try. Those sort of effects and theatrics leave me stone cold.

On the plus side if he does come over then he'll have to change to suit us rather than the other way around (unless God forbid they are wanting to go down that pizazz route which will make me switch off anyway)

On the negative - as much as i love some of our pros, for me the show is about the celebs story not the pros and the prospect of months of Cheryl and Derek press speculation is nauseating.

i cant see it happening because he is contracted to dancing with the stars and the ad said they cant be. i understand the a poster abit further up put " i hate it, its just not strictly at all" the reason he did that is because it was a themed week where they had to do a dance from a different decade, 60's,70's,80's,90's, and his routine with his partner was the future.

that video is just shows his talent to create great and memorable routines. his rumba with nicole sherzinger was amazingly choreographed.

Yes he has to do routines to suit the show he is on.......doesnt make him less talented......our pros would do the same if they were on DWTS. Anyway I will eat my hat if he comes what material is the easiest to digest

Jan, I totally agree with you!

We think the producers fiddle around with SCD a lot - its nothing of the loops-ville that is DWTS - this weeks 'Movie Theme' is no exception, but one thing Derek does do (and always brilliantly) is work within the parameters he's given (he didn't chose to do the Futuristic Paso above for example, the producers gave it to them to do in one of their 'lets do something totally random for no reason whatsoever weeks', and that's what he came up with.... I for one think it's one of the best routines I've seen on either show!).

Promote Anton to Brucie's job if they have to. They're obviously grooming him, and it'd be nice to keep it in the 'family' and if they have to replace him then I can't deny I would love it to be with Derek!

Derek is listed at 5'10". He danced with Shannon Elizabeth who is listed at 5'9" and she was only slightly taller in her heels unless she states her height as taller than she is. I do believe he is taller than either Darren or Vincent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd8MQ...eature=related

I don't understand the criticism of his futuristic paso for being futuristic??? They were doing theme dances and he was given instructions to do a futuristic paso. Len praised him because incorporated actual paso steps while being creative with the choreography making a traditional dance look "futuristic." He was highly praised by the judges for that routine. Derek does take liberties with choreography but I think he would adhere to the rules if he were on SCD though. He is young and full of fire.

I don't understand why SCD would want to bring in new pro dancers because they so popular and well loved.

My dislike of it is nothing to do with his choreography, its just a prime example of the ott theatrics of DWTS. My worry is that the producers want him because thats the kind of format they are looking to introduce