A bit further up it describes this year as "a series which features more genres of dance than ever before - in both the competing couples' routines and the professional group dances."

Oh yeah so it does
Thanks!

Funny I've got friends like that too! Mind you they love all the onfo I tell them about the show from here!


I assume the dance group will perform the pro dances each week and maybe demonstrate other dancers - just guessing.

I don't mind how long the series is if they can keep it interesting and just adding extra couples or weeks, but still doing the same thing week in week out isn't the way to go imho.

I could be wrong, but I doubt if Darren and Lilia were so busy before SCD - or any of the pros for that matter. I'd have thought the pros would have very little choice and it will be take it or leave it.

I just read the announcement on this. I can't believe it on many levels!!! They kept Anton and got rid of the others?!!! I would have picked any of them over him. I'm also stunned that they dropped Lilia. She always builds up such a good rapport with her partners. I wonder if any of the pros chose to do this?

I know we'll get to see them in pro dances (except for Brian it seems) but it's not the same. I love seeing how the relationships between the pros and celebs build up.

I'm really disappointed.

I know and this first announcement is so early too! There is so much time to have mega threads before the couples are even announced!

But at least we'll be over it long before the couples are announced.

Never! You know what will happen! As people find their way back here before the series starts when stuff is in the media, loads of new threads will be started about the same thing again and again - and we'll all be moaning about topics having been done to death by then!

Jesus. Why do I get the feeling the press is going to MAUL the BBC re: this at some point?

(And hello! )

It will probably start tomorrow in the Daily Snail, and the Sun

Classy stuff no doubt

I am stunned by this - Matt and Ian in particular. I would have relegated Kristina and kept Lilia.

At least Erin is still there though

Not tomorrow... its not in the online versions...

World Cup may over shadow it...

Maybe we should take the bull by the horn and lead the media onslaught??

Boo to the BBC for this decision..... Anton stays wtf??

Hi Zan! I don't know, but I've got the feeling too!

I've just had a light bulb moment.

Maybe the reason Anton is still there is because he is the oldest, so then the BBC can't be accused of ageism for bringing in younger dancers to replace older ones.

Moira Ross is the new producer

It's turning into the gimmicky crap that DWTS has had


I'm so insanely happy that Vincent, Flavia, James and Ola are staying, gutted about Matt and Ian and generally just annoyed at the BBC for once again handling things terribly.

Why announce this in the middle of the pro tour when some of the dancers on tour aren't returning - atmosphere spoilt for the rest of the tour's run! And why announce that roles have been offered to D&L, Matt, Ian and Brian when the BBC don't know who's accepting and who isn't?! It's nonsensical, but then again it is the BBC....


Not thrilled about the new pro dancers or the fact that Anton is staying, but glad to see Aliona and Natalie return. I didn't like the new girls last year so I'll give the new guys a chance, but they've got to be insanely good to follow Matt and Ian - no-one choreographs group numbers better than those 2!

If anton stays and Brucie goes, I'll accept that.
If Anton stays and Brucie stays I'll be .....

You're probably right, but it's a pathetic excuse. The producers should hang their heads in shame at the mess they've made of this show.

That makes sense.

Of all the changes, I'm most disappointed that Anton is still there. I would have been quite happy to see him go. I grew tired of him last series.

I guess they will still get to do that though. Right?

So sad that they are not going to be 'competing' though.

Could it be that both these are more of the traditional ballroom dancers. Some of the others routines are quite lavish. However, saying that I do love to watch them but I still faviour Anton for style. I know he got bad press last year but he is still my favourite!!

I just had a look at the three new pros. Very young but I'll be interested to see how they do.

Fickle? Moi?

Then why are they hiring swing dancers and people who specialise in street dance - it's nonsensical!

I can't help but think they have been chosen to stay because they have the highest general media profiles outside of SCD and are on tv and in the papers more than the males who are not partnering celebs this year. (at least that's my perception). Am truly gutted that my 3 fave pros are all out on the celeb partnership side (at least).

Just catching up on this bombshell news.

Like pretty much everyone on here cannot understand the thinking behind keeping Anton. Over the likes of Ian, Matthew, Darren & Brian FFS. Although it's sad that Brian has decided to quit I don't blame him at all. Also Ian, Matthew & Brian are in the middle of the Strictly Pro tour helping to promote the Strictly brand up & down the country and also putting on a bloody good show - what an appalling way to treat them.

The only good thing that BBC has done is the reduction in number of celebs - 16 really was too much last year.

I disagree. I think Brendan, Anton & James are thtree of the strongest. Having seen Brendan's show again tonight I will stand by him being the most amazing Ballroom dancer ever!

Anyone any ideas why the BBC would announce this now ??? its a very strange day/time to announce and as others have said bang right in the middle of the pro tour which Brian/Matt and Ian ( and the others) have worked their butts off to promote and make as completely wonderful as they can.

Mind you it also promotes the range of possibilities of group pro dances on SCD ..........or am i just being cynical there from a distrust of the BBC or what ??

Wonder if the media got hold of something and the BBC broke the story before someone else ??

Sometimes I wonder why I pay my licence fee to the Beeb, they seem to delight in upsetting the apple cart.
I thoroughly enjoyed Brian's dancing and thought he was a great asset to the show with his ability to dance any style which was required with such personality. I can understand him not wanting to just do a professional dance when he's such a gifted teacher on both sides of the Atlantic, and clearly he is head and shoulders above some who have been kept on and this would only have been his 3rd year.
As much as I like Anton unfortunately he isn't an all round dancer perhaps it's not having the right partner we shall have to wait and see when the show starts again and how the new dancers get on.