I haven't seen much of Tina, but Arlene is about right in her other remarks, which I didn't think were spiteful. Arlene and other choreographers were invited to a meeting with the producers a few months ago, so she is still possibly going to be connected with the show.

Arlene is 67, so I think that gives her a bit of support regarding how fit Ann is or isn't.

Arlene, the Strict of Strictly at it again. Lol, the little minx.
Always liked her, even when she was being a moo cow. To me it's part of the fun to have a moan at the judges and she got plenty from me. Got some aww's too. She does have a heart and she did set an aim for the contestants. I liked that.

Her comments were probably ''changed'' in a way to cause friction.

Er - hello?

The venom directed at Alesha has been way more personal than anything directed at Arlene - and Arlene has been way more unprofessional than Alesha.

There is no hypocrisy in the anger directed at Arlene. The only hypocrisy is from Arlene herself, who claims to care about SCD, but then takes money from the BBC's biggest critics who attack Strictly week in, week out as part of a wider campaign against the Corporation itself.

Of course Arlene is entitled to an opinion - but what exactly does she think sharing it with the world will achieve beyond creating yet more bad feeling?

I don't have a problem with anyone's freedom of speech. It's the content of that speech which is the point we're all trying to get at here!

I have, in the past, criticised Alesha and will no doubt do so again in the future, so I have no problem with Arlene's critics expressing their views as forcefully as they wish - but surely your comment is contradictory!

If you defend freedom of speech then you cannot qualify your defence by separating the content into the acceptable and unacceptable - however unpalatable the view may be to some.

That is selective and the very opposite of freedom of expression.

I am liberal by conviction and action. I'm not going to preach Voltaire at you, but there is a difference between allowing someone the right of free speech while questioning the content of their words. I allow right-wing knuckle dragging idiots the right to spout racist claptrap, but I sure as hell will question their 'facts'.

Arlene can say what she likes as an expert in her field. If we're not allowed to question someone based on their reputation or job role, it's a poor do....

Just as well - I'm more than familiar with the gentleman in question and the oft quoted "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it," (although many believe that the original quotation came not from Voltaire but Evelyn Beatrice Hall when describing Voltaire's beliefs and principles in 'The Friends of Voltaire.')

As I said in my original post one can legitimately criticise Arlene or anyone else on the planet but you appeared to question her right to actually express her point of view.

Perhaps I misunderstood the point you were making.

I'm still far more interested in what Arlene has to say on the celebs than I am in what Alesha will say. Her opinion matters more because she knows what she is talking about. Whenever I see her commenting on the celebs I always want to know what she has to say- who she thinks will be good and who bad. Would love to see her back on Strictly.

Arlene is a very experienced stage show choreographer. However, she is not a ballroom/latin teacher or officially licensed adjudicator.

She is used to working with highly qualified and experienced professional dancers NOT beginners.

I agree with Arlene and AW is indeed a joke too far. My only problem is that she will be so bad that she will take the focus away from SCD and the dancing and grab all the headlines for the wrong reasons.

I hope the judges and in particular Craig and Bruno do not fall into her trap and the BBC's in being too harsh with the criticism.

I'm searching in vain for an abbreviation or acronym of your name - guess I'm stuck with Wysiswyg.

Back on topic - doesn't the same apply to all judges, with the exception of Alesha - who seems to assume similar qualification to judge as her fellow, long term and vastly more experienced, judges?

Who can forget "'I know you can pivot well, but you don't need to do too many in one dance.' (Alesha to Chris and Ola.)

Karen Hardy - internationally qualified judge disagreed.

What You See Is What You Get.

I know Nancy -- but I'm looking for something a little shorter than Wysiwyg - oft times these fingers get lazy.

Wys perhaps or maybe Wyg.

Any suggestions?

It never even dawned on me that that's what ther name stood for - how slow am I!?

Arlene's problem is that she can't land a decent burn to save her life. And she will keep on trying. "Oooh, looks like Ann's eaten too many BAGELS then". She's a terrible communicator and articulates herself atrociously, which is why she was never a particularly good judge.

Is this where you award me one your Numpty Knighthoods Buddy!?

Nor is Alesha or probably Criag or Bruno. I'm fifty fifty on this - I think that Arlene shouldn't have called JS lazy and her aliteration was getting irritating but she isn't involved in the show anymore and it didn't treat her well and there was some constructive critisism amongst the sniping - her advice to Christine Bleakley about ballet turned out to hold weight.

Alesha doesn't have anything to contribute as a judge than is all I have against her that and she doesn't get that apart from that she seems like a nice enough lady.

We need Karen Hardy on the judges panel why can't the beeb see that?

I totally agree with you but I don't think Arlene will be coming back, the BBC prefer Alesha so we will have to endure another year of her, I am so thankful for my mute button which will be in action again this year!!

If Arlene confined her comments to choreography and drew purely on her background, that would be fine. Instead, she overshadows her own expertise with her cheap insults to celebs and professionals alike.

She's shown herself to be nothing but hypocritical and I would be far more interested in a rotting cabbage's opinion of the celebs than I am in Arlene's. At least it wouldn't be hypocritical about its motives.

Me neither!

I always thought it was Welsh or something. Oh dear

That's exactly how I feel about Arlene. Except for the rotting cabbage. Although that would be more entertaining, and not as cringe-worthy.

Ignazio, Katmobile and Servalan, I totally agree with your comments in bold.

Craig and Bruno are the same as Arlene; very experienced stage show choreographers. I do not believe any of them to be qualified or experienced ballroom/latin teachers or officially licensed adjudicators. Craig is 'not known' by the IDTA! The dancers they are used to working with are professionals not beginners. They both look for airy,fairy arms, pointy toes, leg extensions, eyes t*ts and teeth from the 'Theatre school' of dance.

Len is a very experienced professional ballroom/latin dancer, teacher and judge; looking for the specific styling, footwork and technique of each particular ballroom/latin dance. (I hope!)

Alesha will probably watch the dress rehersal with the others and listen to their comments before deciding what to say on the night!

Ignazio. Wizz will do!

Ann was interviewed on Radio 5 Live this afternoon at rehearsals and was asked for her response to Arlene saying she was a joke too far and had eaten too many bagels

'If I have eaten too many bagels she has eaten too many sour grapes'