But come on, it's a reality TV show. Most of the time you get contestants who are rubbish but go far because they appeal to people and it wasnt his fault that people happend to like him more than they did Zoe, even though she was better than him by some distance.

So if anything she should have moaned about the people voting like Simon Cowell does on the xfactor, rather than the poor contestant who happened to be saved! TBH it's just common sense and understanding of how these shows work really, and like you said, something's should just be kept to yourself especially when someone's feelings is concerned.

She took Zoe going out way too seriously.

She took it personally.

"I cannot believe that I had to endure Zoe going out ....."

If she does come back let's hope she's learned that the success of SCD is dependent on ratings and viewers votes; it is not a benefit for Ms. Alesha Dixon.

What is your point ? How exactly did Alesha benefit from that comment ? Take off your blinkers

My point is perfectly clear - the reason you question it is because you misunderstand the definition of benefit as used in the context of my comments.

I have no intention of engaging in battle with you over Alesha even before the line up is revealed.

You worship her - I think she is inadequate as a judge.

Oh east is east and west is west and never the 'twain shall meet.

Rudyard Kipling.

But that's not the point at all, is it? To suggest the vitriol aimed at her is all down to one comment is ludicrous - a lot of people had a vendetta against her from day 1 which I never understood - yes, she's not a trained dancer, but that's never been a qualification set in stone for being a judge on Strictly. She was hired to judge on performance and from a contestant's point of view, which is what she did, and it was miles better than Arlene's ridculous and sometimes offensive metaphors. If you're not going to forgive Alesha for a single comment, the same could be said about Arlene (her remark to Ola concerning Poland and a certain type of dancing a couple of series ago..). If you want to be objective about it, they're both as bad as the other...

I'd beg to differ, actually - from where I'm sat, Arlene was way more offensive than Alesha. Yes, Alesha put her foot in it occasionally, but she is less experienced as someone in the public eye than Arlene, so that's not entirely surprising and could easily be forgiven.

So Alesha didn't like Craig Kelly? Nor did a lot of viewers. At least she didn't tour chat and magazine shows slagging him off relentlessly and telling people how they should vote, as Arlene did with John Sergeant.

I agree.

Yes, I like Alesha, but I'm not so stupid to want her as a judge if I thought she was the nasty person she is being made out to be on here.

Based on her performance as a judge in Series 7, I'd have Alesha over Arlene any day. Arlene was a decent judge in the early series and very entertaining, but she went way over the top, especially in Series 6. Some people seem to forget just how much criticism of Arlene there was on here.

In her first series Alesha wasn't perfect, but why should she be when no one else is. We've all gasped at things said by the other judges, even if they were just saying what many of us were thinking.

At least she wasn't boring like Darcey Bussell. Sure I'd like another Ballroom/Latin professional judge, but I'm not holding my breath for that to happen.

Alesha has signed for another series. So what?

OP ... welcome to DS

I agree 100%.

I hope Alesha gets another job offer and vacates the judges chair asap !

I was trying to look at it from the point of view of the person watching it without knowing their respective judging experience, I actually agree with you that Arlene was worse than Alesha. I never forgave Arlene for her comment about Ola, and you're absolutely right about the John Sergeant debacle!

I still don't know how Arlene got away with that comment about Ola! It makes me shake my head even now!

PS OP love your ID and welcome to DS from me too and I hope you'll post lots more on here!

Hey Buddy!

I agree with much of what you've said here and I'll add that I think Alesha was essentially damned whatever she did in the show. I don't even particularly like or dislike the girl, but I really don't think she's anywhere near as bad as people make out, let alone in the same league of hideous comments as Arlene in particular.

Someone who's got better training might be nice, but if we have Alesha, we have Alesha. She's not judging Blackpool, at the end of the day.

Zan - where have you been - you've been missed - despite our different opinions on Alesha.

Sorry! I've got no excuse except I've been tweeting my discussions on other programmes rather than DS... but Strictly without DS would just be morally wrong!

Hiya Zan and Ignazio!

Hope you are both doing well! Looking forward to a new series, but I don't want to wish away our summer when they sunny is shining - fabulous day here!

***lifts glass of somethng cool***

Here's to a long summer before the new series kicks off!

Ooh, not with my complexion and allergies, Buddy! Roll on Autumn ASAP!

LOL! I'm just the same, but sunshine puts a smile on my face and I stay in the shade! ***reaches for nasal spray***

The BBC would never 'back down' and replace Alesha based on public opinion... hence the way they have sidelined some of the most popular dancers. I'm betting they are loving the coverage and 'controversy'.

As for Alesha coming back, (big sigh), oh well, if we are stuck with her, I will look at the positives, sit back and enjoy the 'you was'es', 'you done greats', 'I had to endure thats' and other comedy classics that she is sure to delight us with this autumn.

Roll on September!

Don't mind Alesha, she does what's required of her quite proficiently and with a smile, it's Bruno and his so obvious over marking and favouritism that I'll be happy to wave goodbye to.

Strictly the Laughingstock.

I didnt realise it was supposed to be an english grammer lesson as well, thats the problem with this show's viewers, a load of old fuddy duddies, so far up themselves...this is 2010 To attack people because of the way they speak is frankly pathetic.

I'm as much of a Grammar Nazi as anyone else, but as long as Len is on the panel there's no reason to single Alesha out.

That's uncalled for - do you really think any of us would do any better? I get that some people don't like her, but there's no need for being so degrading, that's just rude.

The Generation Game with the same host was designed as a laughing show.

Whatever the intentions of Fenia Vardanis 7 years ago, Strictly appears to be moving towards The Generation Game.

Not that anything is wrong with a laughing show, for those who want one.

We're not being paid mega bucks to fulfil a role for which we're unsuitable and unqualified.

With the greatest respect, life is full of people doing jobs for which they are unsuitable and unqualified.

Whether you like Alesha or not, she'd barely scrape into the Top 500 people who fall into that category ...