of course it is her prerogative and YES I am uncomfoortable with anyone being laughed at which is one of the reasons I hate X Factor - I hate the way Bruno laughs at people (e.g Mark Foster) - yes of course AW can stick up for herself but I do think that John S got the joke and milked it (fair play to him) AW is a different character and I don't think that the BBC is evil - stupid at times but evil no

I think perhaps you're right on this one.

Before Series 6 started one couldn't predict the John Sergeant phenomenon - it happened naturally, gathered pace and snowballed out of control. I can't see that happening again - certainly not with Ann. Before she stepped onto the dance floor she was already designated the title of a Series 8 also ran or in her own words 'a pantomime act.' If the voting public get the slightest whiff of underdog manipulation from the beeb I think it will signal the Last Dance with Anton.

My thoughts too David.

In losing her seat on the judging panel I submit that she regained the right to freedom of speech - though I do hope she's wrong about Gavin. I've been watching 71 degrees north and he's been showing lots of guts and determination.

I don't really care what Arlene says tbh. I would have respected her more if she had not said anything at all, because that would have been a dignified silence. But then again why should she turn down money for giving her opinion? It's her choice - dignified silence or make money while she can.

I agree that Arlene is entitled to her own opinions but this says much about her. Resorting to making rude comments about a contestants weight is not on imo. Ann knows what she's doing and I'm sure can stand up for herself but she shouldn't be subjected to that. Fair enough critique the dances but Arlene here has just gone and been quite nasty.

Ali wasn't very sexy. She couldn't do fast Latin dances to save her life.



Most people on this forum have very strong views. It's slightly hypocritical to slag Arlene off for having an opinion.

yourself!

I think it's inevitable the BBC wanted AW because it thinks it can recreate some of the publicity JS generated for Strictly. That's what I find uncomfortable about her presence on the show - Bruno has already pronounced that her rumba will be a comedy event of the year before she's even set foot on the dancefloor. (And he is just about as bad as Arlene in my book - they should both have been removed from the judging panel).

But this is all obviously orchestrated into getting as much mileage as possible out of her participation. And AW will play the game, just as JS did. She may well enjoy doing so, too, just as he freely admitted doing. Let us just hope it doesn't turn into a media circus that spirals out of control to the detriment of Strictly, as happened last time.

AW is less different from JS than you give her credit for. She's openly said him taking part made her decide that she should do the same - so she knows exactly what to expect and how to handle the judges to maximum effect.

I can't help feeling that much of this - including Arlene's comment - is about Ann being a woman. Is it OK for us to laugh at JS playing the fool, but it's somehow undignified if it's a woman who's the figure of fun?

The only person who's being undignified in any of this is Arlene. Of course she has an opinion - don't we all? But she is letting hers be publicly used to diminish a show she repeatedly claims to care about. That's where the hypocrisy lies ...

Although I abhor Ann's political views I have always given her credit for discipline and determination.

She lost 2 stones on Celebrity Fit Club and I expected her to adhere to the lessons she learned from health and exercise experts. Many overweight people would kill for such a free opportunity, let alone be paid handsomely whilst following the programme - so I must confess I was surprised to note her failure to maintain the healthy living regime.

Adverse comments about her weight and appearance might not be nice - but she's hardly a shrinking violet when it comes to expressing her views of others in our society.

That just about sums up how I feel about three quarters of the current judging panel Buddy!

LOL! Is Craig the exception then?

He is for me! Craig is the only member of the judging panel I can stand. Alesha irritates me, Bruno irritates me even more and I can't stand Len. At least Craig is consistent, doesn't start waving his 7-10 paddles around too early, doesn't usually give unwarranted 10s and he always tries to finish off his criticisms with something positive.

Sort of...I do wish he'd ration the amount of times he says 'Dahling!' though

...and if I'm being honest, I don't mind Len - As long as he's not in 'grumpy old bark' mode

...and Alesha would be a lot better without the idiot sat on her left

..and I'm not going to talk about him as I'll just become abusive and spoil my good mood

I new Tina was struggling but is she that bad.

I just went out and put a bet on her today and I presumed she would get better as the series went in.A bit like Natalie from last year

I think she probably will.

I can see her staying a while purely because she and her partner (is his name Jared? I've forgotten already!) just look so damn adorable together

My wife is in love with Kaira partner.

Im just gutted that Ola isnt going to be around as long this year

Have we met before?

Errrrm, have a look at this thread...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s....php?t=1358535

I dont think so

Arlene has been remarkably quiet on Twitter today we usually get a few updates but today she has only re-tweeted a couple of charity things. Keeping her head down I think.

All of the usual suspects who criticise others for "bashing" Alesha are in here doing the same to Arlene. Pathetic and hypocritical. I've seen some very nasty viewpoints by people who are ripping into Arlene. She's entitled to an opinion - get over it.

Yeah, I bet she's really worried about what a couple of spiteful people on the Internet are saying about her.

Thanks!


I'm confused. I can only see one post that could be classed as 'ripping into Arlene' and most people have simply stated their opinion in a perfectly reasonable manner. If you think this thread is an example of someone being 'ripped into', then you can't have read much of what can go on around here.

The more catty comments she makes, the more any sympathy I once had for Arlene evaporates.

I've said it in the past and I'll say it again. What a bitter old biddy! This type of behaviour is not a good sign in a woman of her age , if this article, and previous ones are true. It can mean something other than just being a bitter and nasty old woman.

Well, if anyone is to recognise a spiteful person, it would be Arlene....'it takes one........'

Just out of interest, if what Arlene has said makes her a 'bitter old biddy', what does that make Craig, Bruno, Len and Alesha - who have all come out with a few choice words of their own in the past?