Britain, we know, has an aging population. People retiring are finding they have time on their hands and need fun, low impact ways to keep fit; alternatives to Golf and Bowls. Their health is important.

I know that for the dance purist, it's not that entertaining to watch the likes of Sergeant or Anne waddling round the floor, but for an elderly person who is looking for a new interest, Anton and Christina's taylor-made choreography can show how at least some of these dances can be performed elegantly even by those who haven't done it before.

I've always liked Anne Widdicome, but I'm sure she would agree I'm sure that she's never really been the most photogenic of celebs - it's her personality and character that counts. Yet thanks to Anton and wardrobe she can be seen in Strictly looking at least elegant and dignified if clearly not massively competetive in her dancing.

I think she ought to be an inspiration to some of our more elderly population who might be looking for a fun and social way to keep fit. The BBC, after all, does have a public service remit to fulfill and quality of life for our aging population is one of those current themes.

I find Pamela more of an inspiration to be honest........she doesnt look move or behave like she is 60 and I love it.

Ann is a comedy figure, not an inspiration. People are laughing at her in the main. I agree with Jan about Pamela. Felicity isn't great, but at least she's trying to do the dances. Ann isn't.

But don't you see? It's not just about who looks good dancing, it's about persuading the average pensioner that they could do it too. I don't think you got what I meant by inspiration either. I don't mean inspiration as in "Ideally, I want to look like that", I mean inspiration as in "If she can do it, then maybe so could I"

I know some people think that those who are less than beautiful looking don't deserve any sort of life or fun and should always be swept under the carpet, but everyone deserves life and fun, even people of Anne's age and ability. That's what I'm saying.

Don't let the question mark in the title fool you

Well my mum's 62 and seeing as she always refers to Ann Widdecombe as "that bigoted old bitch" I don't think she finds her particularly inspiring.

I don't think anyone of any age finds Ann inspiring when she dances Pam and Felicity...yes, Ann...no

I think Ann would be more of an inspiration if she actually tried to do a full dance and used less gimmicks. Pamela is more inspiring because she is pushing herself to the limit and refusing to let her age be taken into account in choreography - she wants to see just how much she can do.

Pamela and Felicity are still doing the dances, Ann isn't. Even Paul sort of attempted to dance. The message Ann seems to be spreading is that older contestants are a total joke and they should be patronised and scorned. I think she is the opposite of inspirational.

No point. They never get far, struggle to do well and despite criticism from the judges (when it's constructive) they won't improve. Frankly when they're gone I feel relieved. Pamela is so far the only exception, but I don't see her in a semi or final.

Dancing is a wonderful way of excercising for people of all ages, far more then going to a boring gym.

Indeed and with the exception of Ann W. I think Strictiy reflects this perfectly.

My mum is 73 and at parties she's one of few that actually dances and enjoys herself, while the younger people just sit on their @rses boozing.

Ann is one of the least inspiring over 60's I've seen. I'm surprised that people aren't topping themselves, at the prospect of ending up being dragged around like Ann is, like a bag of compost. My gran used to dance when young. She can still stand tall, with beautiful arm and hand shapes, do a slow waltz in perfect time and she's more like a Felicity, than a bag of compost about the place.

I agree with you diva_moon. And in the same context, I truly believe the Gavin's of this world deserve their longevity on the show.

People and Craig can bang on about "good dancing" all they want, but I am equally interested to see if the more self-conscious contestants can achieve an epitomous moment, or how those less naturally gifted can still enjoy dancing for dancing's sake.

I agree with you. There are lots of people out there of all ages who do not exercise and sit in front of the TV a lot eating junk food.

I think that having people like Ann in it do show that anyone can go to dance classes.

I was discussing this over the weekend when I went to a ''beginners'' dance class with a friend. A couple of people there were actually beginners (they were the ones who kept bashing into people) and everyone else had probably had some dance training (bit like Strictly then). We were saying that it would be good to have a real beginners class for people like Ann Widdecomben

Having dancers of all ages on Strictly Come Dancing makes the show much more enjoyable to watch.

I think it may be time for a split. I think that in all the series (or is that seasons?) of SCD, Pamela is probably the only over 60 with a sniff (and it's no more than a sniff) of winning.

If the beeb really want to appeal to an older audience with older celebs, how about a short (4 week) season in the spring with half a dozen "older" contestants competing against each other on what is a reasonably level playing field. We have it in football, tennis and golf (seniors tours, Masters events etc) so why not Strictly? And it would be even better to get some older pros involved - imagine Len having to compete . Hmm, maybe not!

This would leave the main competition "oldie" free.

BTW, I speak as a 60 year old. (No doubt some bright spark will say that, with that idea, I have lost it!)

OP i agree with the thrust of your argument but AW is refusing to do most of the steps for most of the dances. She thinks she can do what she likes and she's being left get away with it.

Pamela and Felicity are two great examples of the older contestant who are giving everything to learn the dances. If any older person want any inspiration they can take it from these two.

The problem with your argument - that Pamela and Felicity are the realistic inspirations for an average member of older generations watching - is that they are not! Pamela looks good because she a) has a dance background and b) a face chock full of botox and filler. Felicity ditto except substitute years of highly disciplined yoga training for the dancing background and add surgery to the list of esteem boosters which make her a good deal more confident about not looking a twit and therefore compensating by going down the comedy route! Both are, let's not beat about the bush, seasoned professional entertainers and light years away from your average out of shape, self conscious, unglamorous pensioner. Of course, I am being facile in talking about average pensioners (or anyone else) but what so many on this board fail to recognise is that unbotoxed, out of shape, unfit Ann strikes a chord with a whole section of viewers who are equally out of touch with their own bodies but hanker after dance magic.

Well I am 74 and Ann certainly doesn't inspire me one iota! After the first effort I cannot watch her.


It is for me. That's why I supported Ramps and Gethin!

My mum at 83 can still do a good waltz and foxtrot, Anton wouldn't have to drag her round the floor. Ann ISN'T an example to OAP's, she's an embarrassment. Enough is enough she MUST go!

I think the OP makes a good point. I'm definitely in the 'she's a bigoted old bitch' camp about Ann, but I do have a sneaking admiration for the woman. I work for a charity for older people and it never fails to amaze me how some younger people pigeonhole anyone over the age of 60 as has-beens. As others have commented, that's far from the truth.

The reality is that, just like younger people (surprise, surprise), old people come in all shapes and sizes, both in their physical attributes and mental attitudes. I admire Felicity and Pamela for their youthfulness, fitness and determination not to let old age define them. Equally, I must admire Ann Widdecombe (even if it sticks in my craw to do so) for refusing to be anyone other than herself and not conforming to others' perceptions about what she should or shouldn't be doing.

Jenny Joseph's poem, 'Warning', was chosen as the nation's favourite modern poem a while back, and I'm not surprised:

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple
Last edited by peeve : 13-11-2010 at 09:43

I was starting to think that there was no point in having over fifties on the show until Carol and Cherie came on, so I shifted to thinking maybe if you were fit enough, fifties was OK.

Pamela in particular has changed that ageist opinion, so in a reversal of the usual saying 'If you're good enough, you're young enough.'

ann is an inspiration in a twisted sort of way.i should imagine people think if i dont look after myself and enjoy my life i could end up like her.pamela and felicity are throwing themselves into it,regardless of what year they happen to be born.

I would watch and enjoy one of the veterans from the clip on ITT on SCD , I thought they were fabulous .So much more watchable than Ann glumping around the floor . The men were graceful and lovely on the floor with Kristina and Ola. And far more inspirational to far more people I imagine than an ungraceful , lumpy slipstick act .

I think you have a slightly misguided view of what the average 60+ year old is like these days, how they spend their time and how they view themselves. Add 20 years and you might be right.