Same here - I don't believe the article because it's in the Sun, but I am worried that the producers think deameaning gimmicks like theme weeks are a good idea and want to add them to SCD.....

I see then. That makes sense.

Sorry got that fact wrong... I didnt think he was much more than 5'7 which is what I think Vincent is down as...

To address the Julianne question. She stopped doing it 2 series ago (or was it 3) because she wanted to pursue her solo singing career more.

I think that the last 2 series where Derek has essentially been "pro partnerless" may be a reason why he might consider something like this. He and Julianne were always amazing together in pro dances but since she has gone, I think some of Derek's "good"ness has been lost. He is still "ok" but no longer the one I automatically watch in group routines. Although he sometimes does "crazy zany choreography" he can toe the line too. And as to the question of knowing Len's tastes, they seem to be different over in the States but not overly so, so Im sure Derek is one of the few pros that could adapt.

I very much doubt it is true though and even if it is, Im sure the Cheryl connection will have disappeared by the time we get to the series!

Im sort of pro Derek coming over here... (he'd be better than any of the rest (except probably Maks)) but not if its at the expense of anyone but Anton. Ive always thought of him as the US blond version of Brendan but if I had to pick between the two of them, I would pick Brendan every time....

i think he would be good so long as they dance the whole dance and not do it the american way which is half show off moves and very minimal actual dance ie foxtrot etcc

It's a bit of a misconception that DWTS has little dance content. They have their "artistic impression" at the beginning and end of each dance but there's always plenty of content in the middle/main part if not it's always pointed out and marked down by the judges.

Their dances are much more innovative and entertaining. Ours are bland and boring. SCD needs to freshen up and try new things.

I don't think I take another year of Grandad Anton, constant Fred and Ginge references etc :yawn::yawn:

This is Derek Hough in the tango to Pretty Woman which was this week on DWTS I dont think that any of us would complain if one of the pros on Strictly did something like this it was fantastic........and I agree with NoNoDrama DWTS may be a bit more glitzy and gimmicky but its still based round a group of professional dancers who are great dancers and Derek Hough is one of if not the best......this routine got 29 (3 judges) only Len didnt give it a 10.

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

Len talks about Derek.

http://celebrity.uk.msn.com/news/art...ntid=153104276

i think that derek is a great dancer.

Vincent is down on the strictly website as 5'6" and Darren is 5'7". Mark and Louis from DWTS is around this height as well and Derek is taller than both of them and according to websites he is 5'10".

Derek was never Julianne's dance partner it was Mark though they continually swap pro dancers on DWTS. Derek would be my favourite pro in DWTS and I think he could easily adapt to strictly compared to the other DWTS pros except maybe Karina.

I agree with the bold part (well he could replace James and i would be ok with that too) even though I like all the strictly pros but I always saw Maksim as the US version of Brendan.

I like Derek ( he is a great dancer and Choreographer) he has a lot of creativity. I'm sure the British public will accept him.

I have my favourites dancers on SCD and I will love to see them stay, because t they make the show for me.
I'm sure everyone has their favourites and like me they don't want to see them go.
But in show business everything has to move on in order to keep going.
And I think is time for some of our professional move on, especially those who are not willing to learn new things, and aren't able to dance the two style of ballroom dancing.

sod Derek Hough - I would give up a kidney to get Damien Whitewood on Strictly.

He's like a cross between Matthew Cutler and James Jordan.

Looks like Derek will be in London this fall.

A Modern Musical Extravaganza
CINDERELLA
A Traditional London Panto
Produced and directed by The Lythgoe Family
With special choreography by Derek Hough
November 27 - December 19

Lythgoe Family Productions presents Cinderella, a Modern, Musical Extravaganza! In the style of the outrageous British holiday pantomimes, Nigel, Bonnie, and Kris Lythgoe (the people responsible for "So You Think You Can Dance," "Dancing With The Stars," and "American Idol") bring this wild, wacky, and adorable holiday event to the states. A talent search for Cinderella will take place over the summer throughout Los Angeles and the winner will star in this exciting production. With special choreography by Dancing With the Stars Derek Hough, the show will blend the time-honored fairy tale with contemporary pop music and dancing, outrageous and audience-interactive comedy, magic tricks designed by the amazing Ed Alonzo, and will feature fantastic costumes direct from London. Fun for the kids, but clever enough to delight adults. All British - all the time!

Actually the panto will be in the United States. They are terming it a "London" Panto, b/c panto is not a tradition in the U.S.

I wonder whereabouts it's going to be on as an American friend of mine is a committed Pantomime addict and would love to see one in the USA. Not quite sure if the audiences will know the correct responses though. They might need lessons on things like "He's behind you" and so on.

Damien Whitewood is a phenomonal dancer, i saw him in Burn the Floor on Broadway last summer and he was absolutley amazing, easily my favourite male dancer and definitely commanded the attention on the stage.

Also met him afterwards and he was really lovely, so chatty and friendly and let me have a picture with him and signed my playbill so would be very happy to see him dancing on Strictly (especially if it involved a topless Paso or something! Haha). Would also be happy to see Derek as i think he too is a fantastic dancer esp after watching his and Nicoles Showdance and Jive from the final of DWTS.

But like others would only really want this to be at the expense of Anton as although i think hes cracking, his Latin just isn't up to the standard of the others and therefore i don't think his partners really get a proper chance at winning. Def wouldn't want to lose Matthew or Brian or James or anyone though.

Damien Whitewood?! He's half the reason why Pamela bombed so badly on DWTS. He has no personality or charisma and his routines were dull. Derek is by far the best dancer and choreographer on either DWTS or SCD. It's almost not fair him being on it, such is how much better he is. I can't see any reason why he would take a big pay cut and join SCD, to dance with "celebs" he'd never have heard of, on a show with a third of the viewers.

The futuristic theme was what he was TOLD to dance for the show; not something he chose to do himself.

In some ways, I wouldn't be totally surprised if Derek chose to return to England and do Strictly, as I believe he would like to raise his profile in England, but I doubt he would leave dwts in favour of scd, if only for financial reasons.

As for the Cheryl Cole "thing" - he worked with her; choreographed her video, danced etc. I'm quite sure they became friends. Trouble is, a guy has only got to be seen in the company of a woman once, and the gutter press invent a steamy affair.

I know that, if you read my whole post I wasn't implying that he thought of it himself, I know DWTS thinks novelty themes are a good idea - the bit in brackets in my post shows you what i meant by that. But for the sake of clarity I'll repeat myself: as long as if they hire Derek Hough the BBC don't also think bringing the gimmicks of DWTS onto SCD would be a good idea, then I have no problem with him joining the show.

Didn't Derek train here?

Out of all the DWTS pros, he'd be my choice to join DWTS.

I think he connects brilliantly with his celebrity partners and works very hard at choreographing great routines that work to the strengths of his partner. He is fantastic at showcasing his celeb, rather than himself which happens occasionally on DWTS with the pros.

Personally I thought his futuristic Paso was simply amazing and far better than the other two themed Pasos, which should have been much easier to choreograph. I can't even remember them. Personally I thought the themed routines worked very well.

BTW I am not a Derek Hough 'fan', just commenting on the theory he might join SCD.

Up to a point, yes. He and his sister Julianne both learnt to dance in America, but when Julianne became Mark Ballas' partner as a junior, she moved to London to live with Shirley and Corky, and because of family issues, Derek went with them; S & C becoming their guardians/foster parents (call it what you want!).

But both were already excellent dancers, but obviously Shirley and Corky carried on their training in London. They found an excellent partner for Derek, and both couples did extremely well.... Derek & partner just moved up to Youth, when Mark & Julieanne won the International Junior Latin.

The 3 of them are a great loss to competitive Latin.

Hi kaycee

I don't think Derek would have any trouble at all fitting in on SCD - he's probably raise the bar!

He has absolutely nothing more to prove on DWTS he has won it so many times......I hope he is looking for a new challenge......

Trouble is knowing the BBC they would lumber him with the token 'oldie' woman for his first series.

totally agree he couldn't pick a better time to leave but it is up to him would love him to come to strictly

I agree and I'm also hoping there will be no token 'oldie' woman after the shake up.

I maintain what I said earlier in the thread it might be less money and exposure now to come to SCD, but I feel it would do his career good in the long run.