artem yes but not our robin james really should go

I miss how the show used to be as much as I miss the old pros. I think if it still had the same atmosphere and rules I would get over the fact that some of my favourites have left.

In some ways I was glad that my favourites left when they did, because I felt that I was watching the show just for them even though I didn't enjoy it as much as I used to. Now I usually just watch the main shows (although I haven't seen tonight's yet), but I can take it or leave it. I always check the spoiler though!

I do actually think the pro dances would be markedly improved if the majority were choreographed by a mixture of Ian, Darren and Lilia (with all Jives choreographed by Matthew). I think the pro dances lost something special the year they left. Whenever we have 'favourite pro dances' threads, the majority were choreographed by those four. Sorry OP!

Don't forget the pro change around also brought us Jared!
The only pro that I miss is Ian, as there is a need for a tall pro dancer, this year some of the couples are a bit missed matched height wise. As much as I like Artem ( great choreographer) Patash ( good dancer ) not keen on Robin bit too flash for me and too complicated routines for his partner. What I do miss is someone with grace , style and elegance and not afraid to laugh at themselves. Think there are also a few dancers in the show now that could also do with moving on , past their best and more of a joke novelty than serious dancer. Not mentioning any names

Well said Lorelei

our robins not flash at all

Nah they'd still watch for Ola Seriously though Katya deserves a shot with a decent dancer only then can she truly be judged.

Blimey, I forgot I'd posted this and went looking for it expecting a flaming - and what do I get but agreement

I quite like the idea of a rotation system of pros a la DWTS, although I do fear that would lead us to exactly the same threads we have now about 'why wasn't X with Y, they would have been so much better than Z this year', when Y isn't dancing.

I imagine that it's tough on the professionals as well, to keep coming up with something different series after series after series. Surely a bit of a rest and a chance to see what other people bring in would be great for some of them, like the Jordans - who, as others have mentioned, are a little bit samey in their choreography these days.

But even if we had a rotation system I don't think I'd rotate in any of the pros not in the current series. Artem and Robin last series, and Pasha this series, have helped keep things so fresh with their own choreography, that I'd prefer to keep seeing new faces - even if we end up with a few more Jareds and Hayleys as part of the deal.

I still miss them as they are part of SCD history and with 16 new zelebs every year you need the familarity. I just think the new breed rely far too much on props. Some routines are good but they ruin it with a prop of some kind or waste time doing a handstand or walking down the stairs!

Looking at old clips it was always 90 seconds of dancing in the past. The problem now is most of teh old pro's are nearly 40ish so there lifecycle is coming to an end (Anton already has come to an end!).


I would agree with those that say ditch the Jordans. I have never been that impressed with them and they have a trophy in the cabinet anyway!

I agree that Katya needs a decent partner. Aliona seems to get them all!

Oooh...see my OP for why that doesn't wash! Brendan and Anton have been as guilty as anyone of using pointless props in the recent series and they've been here since S1. Another of the worst offenders this series has been Flavia, who's had five series to learn better. so I'd suggest it's more a demand from the production team than a general trend started by the pro dancers.

I wouldnt be surprised if both Anton and Erin are not back next year.I wouldnt mind if Aliona leaves but I dont think thats going to happen.
I like Ola but I do agree that she is not a very good choreographer. I wouldnt want her to go thats mean that James stay also.
The rest can stay.

Are there so few Brit pros that they are in the minority on strictly? Genuinely puzzled.
Is someone running a visa scam from eastern Europe?

that's done it. Now you are going to be sued by Nancy De Olio on the charge of daring to speak your own mind.

How very dare you!

If Anton goes, Nancy will come back. The Daily Mail has this on record. This will be doing Strictly a favour, because then she would pick the pros - and the judges - and the dancers- and the props and music. SCD will be so much improved you will not be able to recognise it.

Sorry Ian/Ian/Ian, you have joined Cicero and Caesar as Ancient History.

I am now about to step into a time machine to go back
2000 years, as Ian is not allowed to go anywhere without me.

Oh, I agree woth the OP, the real reason the dancing has been of such a low standard this year is not because of the Pros.

If the BBC want to forget about this year's duff series and produce a sparkler next year, they could do 2 things

1. Source some better celebs.
2. Take the training videos off ITT and onto the main show.

The problem to me is that no-one seems to be getting better and hence the series is feeling like a celeb PR exercise, rather than a learning-to-dance experience.

Did we really need Edwina AND Nancy AND Russell.
Did we really need the standard one current affairs presenter from the BBC and one from GMTV.
And what with Lulu, Alex, Audley, Dan, Robbie being so disappointing, its been pretty obvious that its perm 3 from 4 for the final from about week 2.

My only exception is Rory, who got voted off for a pretty awful Cha Cha but could well have been an improver in later weeks. Much unlike many others.

My feeling is much like the OP in that this would have been no different with the old Pros.

Just a few random thoughts btw.
1. Anyone in the right mind would want Lilia and Ian back as they are both charming to the point of enchanting so who wouldnt want that on their telly?
2. Karen Hardy was the Aliona of her day, ie she would choreograph for herself. Her Jives, in particular came with a SCD warning in that 'She is Jive World Champion so what you are about to see will be a mismatched mess'. No sane amateur could keep up with her.
3. I personally miss Camilla simply because I fancy the arse off of her.

The ironic thing is that the two dancers we sem to moan about the most are Anton and James, two of the old-timers (I certainly think this is it for Anton. His treatment of Nancy - difficult diva or not - has been very unbecoming and ugly)

Errm, thats it.

Can I just have Ian back ??????? A bit of claaarrrrssss as Craig would say !

DO miss four of the old pros Ian, Matthew, Brian and Lilia, because they were sacked whilst they were still HOT. Of the new pros loving Artem and Pasha, but could do without Robin. Darren had had his time, and Vincent and Anton are past their sell by dates.

Me neither. The only one I don't really like is Natalie, and am indifferent to Robin. I guess it might be nice to have Ian back, he was such a gent. I also enjoyed Karens dancing. Pasha should NEVER be allowed to leave!!

I miss Lilia. She was a great choreographer and picked great music. I also thought she was adorable on ITT. However, Darren had lost his spark by the time they left. He was out of shape and his choreography had become mundane.

Matthew was lovely, gorgeous and a great choregrapher, but I was always put off by Ian. He had that manic flash of teeth and eyes while dancing and he was so desperate to win in the early series that it put me off.

I think we need to drop all the weak choreographers and that includes most of the long-term male pros e.g. Anton, Brendan, James and some of the best-looking females i.e. Ola, Katya and Aliona. Surely there are some better choreographers out there???

I like all the new pros. I think Artem, Pasha and Robin are marvellous. I do still have a soft spot for Ian Waite though and believe there is a place for him - but it won't happen.
I hope this is Anton's last year.