The problem is that BBC just go too far with the changes & the positive changes get lost within thte negative ones. For example I think most people agreed last year that letting the couples each dance a latin & ballroom before going was great but they had too many couples which meant that the show started to drag early on.

The Sunday night results show being axed was again a positive for most but outweighed by having one single long show on a Saturday which again meant that the show started to drag early on. BTW they will need a separate results show for the Dance Troupe to be fully showcased IMO.

In the Press Release yesterday, the BBC announced a reduction in the number of couples to 14 - a step in the right direction. But this has understandably been lost amongst the tidal wave of negative opinion on the sidelining of the most popular pro dancers.

I was worried Brendan wouldn't be in the show and am pleasantly surprised that he has been kept on but I would have still continued watching at least for the first few episodes to see how everyone gets on

Yes absolutely right.

Again, change can be a great thing and to be honest, the show needs it, but ........ getting rid of some of the most popular pros, just seems crazy, particularly as they are keeping those that are pretty weak.

OK, Ola won last year, that was down, I think, to Chris's personality and that he brought her out of herself. In previous series, her choreography has been poor.

Anton & Erin are very weak in the Latin - Anton again does not get the best from his celebs. He is amazing with Erin, but as a choreographer for the show, just lacking.

That's a matter of opinion, I think her choreography has been exceptionally clever because she is brilliant at working with the limitations of her celebrity partners - she's never had a natural talent.

"I simply can't see the logic of keeping Anton and loosing Matthew and Ian" said *stargazer* in a hysterical and OTT voice!

I agree Bruce should not be hosting at the amount he said to be being paid. I added that to my comment. I would be happy for him to be replaced completely and Tess and the judges as well.

Totally that is a matter of opinion, which all comments on here are of course.

I however, remember the hideous Tango with Andrew Castle!

Another very personal opinion is that I do not think she is strong as a choreographer - she does work to her Partners strengths or try to showcase them in any way. To me, she comes across as all me, me, me. James too, with the exception of when he had Cheri Lunghi.

Darren Gough was not a natural, but Lilia did wonders, same with Matt Dawson.

Clearly Ola did wonders too with Chris! Personally Lilia's choreography never appealed to me, although i can see she has talent. The Tango was bad, but everyone has off-days, and in my opinion you only have look at the Foxtrot, Rumba, Waltz etc from this year to see what she can do. She was a lot stronger this year than in previous years, but i doubt some other pros would have taken Kenny Logan half as far as she did. The judges repeatedly comment on how she's good at using her celebs' abilities. It's not necessarily about teaching them the most steps, and as the female she will naturally be shown off a bit more than her partner, and she teaches them cleverly rather than cramming their brains with too many steps, which has led to problems for other dancers in the past.

Apart from Anton not being given the boot...I`v no problem with the changes.....As I`v just stated in another thread...other than Brian, all the other pros that have been sidelined have had a pretty good innings....Something needed to be done to lift the show and the BBC have done just that.

You obviously werent about when Nicole was sacked

Camilla left of her own choice and Karen seems to have gone partialy of her own choice so less to be upset about.

Ah , but he folowing "Where is Nicole " threads were hilarious .

It's funny though, I don't remember there being much said about Andrew and Hanna being replaced. People were disappointed, but they weren't outraged...

The biggest change will come when Strictly is axed by the BEEB which in truth is probably not far off anyway. Has Bruce confirmed his return? It wasn't guaranteed he would do this year. Who will follow him? The show's had its day - the beginning of the end came when Arlene was ditched. Dancers come and go but the truth is the novelty has worn off its days are numbered whatever they do.

Well I thought ditching Arlene was an improvement - pity Bruce and Bruno didn't go with her!

Snap- just thought they went the wrong direction with her replacement. But Arlene needed axing, she was cringeworthy.

"Some of my best friends are hysterical," mumbled a moongazer.......

Very true. She was very lucky to get Chris.

Yep, totally agree - and i think the replacement should have been Karen, but we've been saying that for ages with no luck!

Personally, I find it sad that so many on this board react to the loss of their favourites with slagging off other pros (and one in particular). I would have been happy to see all of the 'axed' pros stay on - because I'm an old stick in the mud who likes the tried and tested. But changes have to happen over time and while I do understand how hurt people feel when their fave goes why does that require allegations that others are unpopular or bad dancers/teachers/past their sell by date etc? When frankly all these views are totally subjective and not backed up by any hard evidence.

I think she had a very nice relationship with Kenny too. She seems to get on well with people who are a bit more extroverted than she is.

That's an interesting point: if they were to keep all the dancers but rotate them every year, and have the non-mentors help in choreographing dances for celebs in which they specialise, it should, in theory, raise the level of dances from the celebs, that's if the celebs can dance a bit.

Also, will we see the return of other dancers who have left to partner the ones in the troupe? Would we see the return of Nicole or maybe Karen?

Not that hysterical or OTT but passionate fans airing their opinions. I'm stunned by who's gone and who's stayed.

As has been said of the past two or three series of Strictly, this is a make or break year for Strictly. With Mr Cowell launching X-Factor US this is a chance for Strictly to clean up in the ratings but it seems the producers have decided to axe some of the most popular pro's. A decision that, if they don't get any bigger and better celebs, will almost certainly backfire. I can see Strictly going the way of Big Brother. It'll lose viewers year after year after year till one day its cancelled, and many may be unhappy but no one will be surprised

I'm with you on that. Chris was very limited in what he could learn and remember. Ola did miracles with him, both with encouragement and choreography. She has always been good at choosing unusual music and producing memorable routines. Not to everyones taste, but certainly to mine. Her Paso with Chris has 107,000 viewings on Youtube.

I think Chris was also very lucky to get Ola. People vote for the partnership, and they loved them together, they also clearly loved her and Kenny.

She was extremely clever in choreographing for Chris and the final showdance was outstanding in terms of the fun factor. On the SCD tour, I enjoyed the Jordans the most...that's my view.

I'm neutral on Anton, very peeved on Darren and Lilia, especially Lilia, who's the best choreographer and teacher of the lot, also about Ian, whose routines and sense of humour I've always liked, but couldn't care less about Brian or Matthew actually. Both of them are yawn inducing to me, personally and choreographically, but that's my taste and opinion.

I don't mind new pros brought in, but they should be qualified ballroom and latin people. I don't want tacky modern dances brought in. That's not the programme.

Well put. I'm personally gutted that Matt and Ian in particular won't be in their usual roles, but certainly looking forward to the dance troupe and with an open mind you can really just wait and see what the new pros are like, and also lets not forget (fairly importantly!) who the celebs are ! I'm surprised how many people aren't even willing to wait and see, and then to give a reasoned assessment. There are series from the past some of which I have liked more than others even though my favourites have been involved. I might love the next series, I might hate it but how on earth do I know yet?!