Personally, when I heard that my beloved Matthew wasn't going to be dancing on this year's Strictly I was gutted and extremely peed off. He was my favourite pro to watch, not to mention always really good with his celeb partners (especially Alesha ). I also knew I would miss Ian and Darren but to a lesser extent and I knew I would hardly miss Brian at all lol. So far I think only Artem has made an impression and he's the only one I'm really happy about the addition of. Robin seems quite nice but not enough to be rid of Matthew and Ian. I haven't been impressed with Jared at all though. I know Darren wasn't the greatest male pro ever but I think he could have done a lot more for Tina than Jared is doing.

Thoughts?

I'd prefer to have Ian, Matthew and Darren back. That young lad especially needs a ticket home I think.

Totally agree

I would especially like to see Brian Fortuna return.
Absolutely love to watch him dance.

For me, the 7 pros who should contest the next series should be:

Artem
Brendan
Darren
Ian
James
Matthew
Vincent

I like Robin though. I don't think Jared brings much to the show at the moment.

It's not Jared's youth I object to, it's that he's so POOR. Talented and experienced dancers have been replaced with a guy who's mediocre (and I'm being generous).

Artem's by far the best, Robin is OK I suppose... but Jared really isn't up to the standard of Ian/Matthew/Darren.

Artem is streets ahead IMO.

Artem is fantastic, he just needs to calm down the US stuff a bit. I really like Robin and think he's a great partner for nervous women, Jared I could do without.

I'm in the minority though, I'm glad to see the back of Saint Matthew of Cutler!

My favourite pro is Robin, I really like him. I also think Artem is very accomplished.

Jared seems to be completely out of his depth.

I miss Brian Fortuna greatly though. I like Ian, Matt and Darren but I don't mind them having a bit of time off as they've been around a long time.

Keep Robin and Artem and bring back Brian!

My choice of male pros would be, (in order of what I think they bring to the show):

1. Vincent - A good all rounder, brings the best out of his partners and is likeable.
2. Brendan - Been there since the start and is quite well known for his "bad boy" image.
3. Darren - He would be higher but unless you're a fan of him (which I am) he doesn't stand out that much, although imo, he's the best teacher.
4. James - None of his partners have been popular which I think is probably down to him so I can't put him any higher.
5. Anton - Although he's not on here, he's by far the most popular and well known and I also think they're keeping him so when Bruce retires, Anton can take over.
6. Artem - He's definately stood out as the best of the new pros and is a good all rounder.
7. Matthew - IMO the best dancer but lacks personality.

Sorry Ian fans - I do like Ian too.

Loving Artem, fantastic choreography and seems really nice too

I think that's very unfair to say James is responsible for all his partners' exits (especially Cherie's, when that is clearly untrue), there is no way that his partners were not in themselves at least partly responsible, or that they were merely victims of circumstance, but I'll say no more as I'm not having another argument.

Back on topic:


I haven't warmed to any of the new pros yet. I think personality-wise Robin is the most likeable, and he has a good partnership with Kristina, but I haven't enjoyed any of his choreography so far and he clearly misjudged the quickstep.

Artem I find harder to like (although not to look at, that's easy ), and I don't get his partnership with Kara, but I've enjoyed his choreography for both the ballroom dances so far.

Jared I won't spend much time talking about, suffice to say I've hated his choreography, he's made far too many mistakes and Tina would have had more chance of getting further in the competition with another pro. I also think he's a terrible partner for Aliona, she was amazing with Matt last year and I miss their partnership so much, Jared just can't compare - there's not the same chemistry or sparkle!


So really i just want Matt and Ian brought back!

BIB:
How do you know? She is still in the competition so you have no idea at what stage she will go out

Well if I was doing the eliminating based on her dancing capability (in my opinion) so far she shouldn't make Blackpool. I don't think she has a hope of winning, but I do think she may have had the potential to, just not with Jared as he hasn't given her choreography to show off what she can do, nor corrected very obvious errors.

Maybe not but i'm sure i don't need to tell you it's not always based on dancing. Also there is plenty of time to improve. I just find it abit early to talk about her going further with another pro when she hasn't even been eliminated yet.

I didn't mean to say he was responsible, I just think he doesn't do their popularity alot of good. Don't get me wrong I'm a massive James fan and Pamela and James are my favourites this year, but I find if the pro isn't very popular then it's harder to warm to their partner. I'm not saying I agree with all the negativitly he gets, because I certainly don't, I just think it has an impact on the parterships popularity.

Artem is gorgeous and by far the best addition. Robin and Jared are instantly forgetable so far, IMO.

x x x x x

True, I just doubt that she'll ever be given the choreography to improve enough, and even if she doesn't improve, I have seen nothing from Jared that tells me he's capable of the clever choreography that some of the other pros do so well for contestants who aren't the best dancers. She can't improve if her pro partner keeps making mistakes that are obvious even to my untrained eye!

I guess we'll just have to wait and see but i hope she does improve as i really like her. Of course there is still the possibility she won't return next week.

I really miss the old pro's especially Darren and Ian

Imo only Artem seems to be making any impression, Robin I'm a bit meh about and Jared, well lets just say poor tina !

Both of the new boys artem and robin are great additions. I am a huge Brian fan and miss him on the show but think he made the right decision. Also like ian and matt but like artem and robin and they are both lovely men as i met them earlier this year. Robin is a complete sweetheart

Artem did a great job with last night's quickstep, although having Kara to choreograph for must help. Robin may be morally supportive of Patsy but the routine he gave her was way beyond her capabilities at this point and didn't do her any favours.
If Tina's not well enough to dance this week then it may be the last we see of Jared.
Last edited by rossyrahrah : 17-10-2010 at 12:10

Wow, it must have been good. Everybody else thought it was a quickstep.

D'oh

Ha ha, I know what you meant. slip of the typing finger! But I totally agree about Robin. Patsy didn't have a chance of keeping up, and I'm not sure his ballroom is quite up to scratch. It even seemed as if HE was struggling to keep up with his own choreography! Artem's OK, Jared I agree is out of his depth. I can't believe we've lost Ian, Matthew, Darren & Brian for this lot.

I think Darren would have been great with Felicity, and Vincent and Tina would have made a great couple and she'd do well with him. Brendan seems to bring his partners down somewhow. I bet if Ian had trained Michelle he'd have bolstered her confidence, helped with the technique for long-limbed people, and complimented her whacky nature by his humour and slightly outrageous personality. Poor Michelle, she's really not enjoying it, is she?

BRING BACK IAN!!!

And Matthew... And Darren... And, well, not sure about Brian, sorry.