It appears increasingly week on week that Len has opted for what he believes is the "popular vote" with the public and almost certainly with his beeb paymasters

His acceptance of Ann as “entertaining” without dance standard comment is hypocritical and against every standard he has supported throughout each series
As opposed to professional judge first and entertainer second Len (in this series) appears to be reversing those roles and cheapens the judgement element in so doing

Given that the judgement bench was severely weakened when removing a dance professional and adding a singer with youth and legs to match Len is doing a disservice to every dance fan who supports SCD

Makes a mockery of the show imo.

With a Tory government gleefully making slashing cuts, the BBC is running very scared, and unkind comments about a very well known Tory politician would be unwise.

He who pays the piper calls the tune. Well, in a world where the Dave Arch band is allegedly musical that's a moot point.

But the BBC clearly wants showbiz malarkey this year so that's what we'll get and Len is fulfilling his duty to his employer.

I'm hoping Len just had a moment of madness or maybe he was making his point in a very obvious way.

The marking reflects your point, it is far from consistent and seems unprofessionally manipulative. For me the downward slide started last year in this show when they manipulated the final outcome for supposed ratings. They felt they needed the Cheeky Chappie in the final rather than two first rate dancers, so they removed the obstacle to that (the Judges final say) in the semi final. This new format and the cringy way the Judges seem to be towing the party line is in my view reminiscent of what happened to Big Brother. The Production Crew set out to manipulate the show for ratings and failed miserably.

I hate to aound rude pabird. But where have you been for the last 7 years? Len has consistently overmarked no-hopers for years!!!

Your apology accepted but for the past seven years Len has often been smarmy in judgement but has generally been the "strictly dance technique" supporter
This year he reacts as if been given the gipsy warning by his employers to:
1. Be funny (failed)
2. Go with the popular anti-dance vote
We (mabird and me) have a dance background and find his slippery performance demeaning

Think it's his age and conforming to his boss. He should retire while he can. Doesn't he get it that it makes it a farce out of the competition? Len please live in the real world mate of get out of judging Strictly. I'd love to see him in pantomime instead.

Ugly sister?

His 7-to-Ann will go down as one of his biggest mistakes.

The remit to the performers in this show is to be "entertaining."
It's a question of ratings.
The BBC don't care who watches this programme...as long as there's "lots of them."

If they thought they could attract a few more viewers by including performing seals (other than the ones they have already) they'd do it.

Now where does consistency and "proper ballroom dancing" come into this?

Yes mate.

Agreed.

I think the judging has been very poor this year, but they've probably been told exactly what to say by the new producer. The only one of the judges who makes the occasional comment criticising the dancing is Craig. Maybe he will be dumped next year. The rest of the judges pocket the money and keep their mouths shut.

I don't think Craig will be dumped to be honest. BTW look at a poll who the most poular judge is on the twitter poll and you will find Craig is very popular. He is going nowhere.

There's an ancient saying, isn't there. " When wise old bird faces the axe or the rich corn, he will run like a chicken in every direction". How true, even today.

What marks did Len give John Sergeant? I'm willing to bet there were a few random 6/7s among those

You are right

But then again it was a very high scoring series with 10s all over the place!

Who was ever so misguided as to believe Len to be the standard-bearer for the excellence of dance?

He never gives less than a 5 (OK, he gave John a 4 but that was a complete aberration and even then he and Bruno both gave him more than Arlene or Craig).

Someone will have the stats but I'm betting his average mark is well over 6. Maybe in the 7s. And you can't say that 65% is an accurate reflection of ability.

It's CRAIG who uses his paddles to express the range of ability, achievement and effort in SCD. Nobody else. Craig.

There was a filler segment on Dancing with the Stars the other week about how to get a 10 from Len. Tongue in cheek but an element of truth.

According to that, it goes something like one mark for making it to the dance floor, one mark for moving the left foot, one mark for moving the right foot, one mark to moving to music... possibly not totally correct in remembering but not far off, and 4 appears to be his baseline

I quite agree with pabird that Len's marking is all over the place this year, with particular reference to Ann's tango. And why was there no moaning about the amount of time wasted flapping about in the air after comments about other couple's entrances, such as Jimi and Flavia's window scene?

I thought it was a coalitiion?

I'm sure I've heard Len allude to entertainment value with many contestants down the years, sometimes in conjunction with competent technique sometimes not. I think what might be the real bone of contention here is the marks he awards alongside these comments, Ann's 7 did seem OTT when even judges not there to impart so much technical knowhow awarded less.

The thing I most object to about his score, is that the actual Tango itself wasn't entertaining. The harness was mildly funny, but that was about it. Many of the couples have had props, but I think giving a massive gimmick like that to just one person was unfair.