There's always a clear-out each year for various reasons.

But apart from personal dislikes, which dancers do people believe the BBC will be not inviting back, given that the number of contestants remains the same?

I have a feeling that the Jordans may not be back, given that they were not asked to do the tour.

I'm sure that I read somewhere that Natalie, Aliona and Katya were given 3 year contracts when they were hired*. This being their 3rd year, it will be interesting to see whether they are back next year.

*disclaimer- This may just have been tabloid speculation.

Katya hasn't had a decent partner yet. It wouldn't be fair if she went now.

True, i'd love to see what she could do with a contender.

Ola and James, I think the fact they were axed from the tour might be a sign...

Hopefully Anton - he passed his sell-by date long ago.

I quite like everyone else.

After series 4, the same 14 pros returned to the show for series 5. That was the first and (so far) last time this happened, but it means there is precedence.

I think it'll depend on Brucie staying or going; if he goes TPTB may choose to make no further changes for at least a year while the new host settles in.

I think Robin may be at risk. He's a bit beige personality-wise and hasn't really made his mark on the show. I'd rather they got rid of Anton though. When some celebs are better latin dancers after 5 days than you are after 8 years on the show, it really is time to go.

Here's an interesting thread from 2008 discussing this subject:

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=957916

probably James

I think Robin - although he's sweet he doesn't really 'shout out' to me, bit of a background billy

Anton (please)

The Jordans. Think it may be a case of Ola taking time out to have children, and I don't know if they'd want James on his own.

And although I hate to say it cos I really do like him, Robin. Just don't think he's a good enough dancer.

I think the Jordans probably wont be back.

Anton is surely past his sell by date.

Really hope Anton is gone. If BBC's still so desperate for him to replace Brucie then just fire Brucie and let Anton do the hosting next year for crying out loud!!!

This can get a bit subjective, we've all got our likes and dislikes.
When Lilia and Darren went I thought it was because they were more recognisable than some of the celebrities.

Didn't a couple of female dancers go shortly after being outspoken in the press?

I think Anton is safe as the BBC have been using him for presenting elsewhere may be being groomed for Bruce's job, but it'd be a big step-up.

I agree Robin hasn't made much of an impression.

Dunno about the Jordans, Many complain about James, but the BBC give him a lot of air time and maybe he's just filling the "pantomime role" as required?

I think some of the pros that were dropped, were possibly due to their age:

That being the case, Anton should be a goner (but I don't think he will be, and that means Erin won't go either)

Think James will go, and Ola will go with him. I can see them keeping Brendan.

Robin has had 2 reasonably good "older" partners, so would like to see what he makes of someone a bit different in ability/age.

Think they'll keep Vince and Flav, and Natalie and Aliona.

Katya's a bit like Robin, I think she'll need to do well with a good celeb next year or she'll be off.

Artem might leave of his own accord. They'll keep Pasha and Kristina.

^ That's everyone

Quite the opposite, I think. Were Darren and Lilia really recognisable? Brendan and Anton were the only pros my casual Strictly viewing friends could name before the big cull. I think they were dropped as they were not particularly interesting to anyone outside the core Strictly audience. Let's be honest - Darren is no Brendan.


The only slightly contentious press interview was the one Nicole Cutler gave the NOTW after she was dropped, which was 80% made up by them anyway.


Not since the race row in 2009. Hole in the wall was decommissioned the following year and Step up to the plate was dropped after 2 series. He has has no TV presenting roles ever since, after those "try-outs". I don't think he'll be replacing Bruce.


I think the Jordans are safe. The forum has been predicting their departure since series 5! James has just taken over Brendan's "the pro you love to hate" show persona, and we all know how much TPTB like Brendan.

I think Robin could fulfill the role that Anton has now with the older, slower contestant but he could do it without belittling them and making it all about himself.


I love Erin, but I think she's gone as far as she's going to, she won't/doesn't do the tour, so she's not going to get a contender and her Latin's pretty poor, so I'd happily say goodbye to Erin and Anton.

I'd also happily get rid of the Jordans, Ola is really annoying me this year, she never did before. She only really has a few signature moves and a catsuit and it's starting to look really tired.

I hope she will pivot her way out of the show as well.

There's talk of Anton being dropped year after year, but I think this year he might be - he's really not needed for the 'comedy couple' as Flavia has demonstrated that a 'proper' pro can cope with the entertainment factor; as the standards of the choreography from the pros are notched up with Kristina, Artem, Pasha and Aliona, I don't think Anton can keep up with the Latin side of it; and lastly I think his heart seems to be in it anymore. He seems more blaise and we're seeing less and less of him on screen when he's been booted (no ITT appearances like the pro challenge or guest behind the scenes presenting, and fewer appearances in the pro-dances when he use to pop up quite frequently) If Anton goes, then I think Erin will leave with him.

If Anton and Erin leave, then I think the Jordans will be back.

I've also heard the 3 year contracts for Natalie, Katya and Aliona. I really hope Natalie is back. I think she's a great teacher, beautiful dancer and has come up with some wonderful routines. I would like to see Katya back and be given someone with a shot at the glitterball because I'd like to see what she can do.

I think the Jordans will go after being dropped from the tour - especially with James' behaviour at times. Then again, it gets publicity so they might keep him as the 'bad boy'.

I think Anton and Erin will stay - if they were going, I think they would have been dropped by now and I still think Anton is being groomed to replace Bruce.

Of Natalie, Katya and Aliona; I think Aliona may win this year, so will probably return, Natalie has also done very well in her time, and I'm more worried about Katya who has never had the chance to showcase her skills.

Edit: Think Robin could go too.

I agree. Natalie and Aliona have had two great partners, Katya has had three rubbish ones. Gavin only came 5th cos of the women voting for him. Though he was better than 5th place Kenny Logan

Artem - a keeper. Great, innovative choreography; has won it once and brought an arguably averagely talented celeb to the semis.
Aliona - twice in the final is a pretty good record, even if the celebs in question were almost guaranteed to be there from their announcement. While I haven't been a fan of her tango-free tango and jive-free jive, her QS and VW have been lovely and have shown how she can teach technique. Give her someone at best average though to see what she can do.

Brendan - why not? He's shown that he can work with talented partners & difficult partners alike and his more relaxed persona is good. Needs to learn AT though.
Natalie - like Brendan, can work with good partners and less talented ones without resorting to using her partner to dance around. Both of these are worth keeping on the height basis as well.

Pasha - definitely a keeper for me too. His choreography has managed to be both traditional, and yet perfectly pitched for such a young partner, carefully building up her solo work. He has a better understanding of AT than most. Judging by how he has worked with Chelsee, I think he would also work well with older contestants.
Katya - is on tricky ground. While she has got a less talented celeb far, she's never had a good partner to show what she could do. However, she has (co) choreographed the only two pro-dances I've liked and also one of the best dances in SYTYCD, so has shown that she could choreograph like a dream, given the opportunity. I'd love to see her get someone good.

Flavia - has shown that a 'straight' pro can work with a comedy candidate (even though I didn't like many of their dances, I much prefered it as an approach than Anton with Ann last year). I'd love to see her with a good partner again - she has interesting choreography.
Vincent - on slightly difficult ground in that he hasn't had many good partners (I nearly said only one in Louisa Lytton!). Like Flavia, has interesting choreography given the chance, but I think this year he checked out a little early and maybe didn't do himself justice as a teacher/choreographer. Still, what would SCD be without without Vincent/Flavia and their AT showcase?

Kristina - has finally had a good partner, and some of her choreography for him was lovely. She also has had a less talented partner, and showcased him well. I could do without an AT like that again, though.
Robin - stepping on Anton's toes in terms of taking a nervous partner and actually getting something out of them. Possibly deserves someone good.

The two couples in danger:
Anton - his attitude to Latin rubbed off on the only good partner he's really had, leaving Laila a complete Latin-phobe. I think he hinders his partners. I really didn't like his attitude this year of making a comedy out of Nancy, seemingly without her knowledge.
Erin - Ishe is a much stronger partner for her celebs than Anton, but maybe not as much as others. Maybe it is for sentimental reaons, but I'd like to see her back next year.

James - while he partnered Pamela well last year, I do not rate his choreography highly. His ballroom is often dull. He seems to have behaved this year like someone who doesn't expect to be back - the comments on Saturday that Craig only gave a 7 because he didn't like Alex were asinine.
Ola - also not a good choreographer. While she arguably hasn't had someone good to demonstrate good choreography, she had in Robbie someone fit, prepared to put everything out there and showed he might have a sense of rhythm and just used him as a prop to dance around - in comparison to Natalie who eked out credible dances from Audley. This partnership I wouldn't mind not returning.

I was always under the impression (and having spoken to pros current and ex) that they were only employed for one series at a time but I guess this could have changed......

I love it when different reasons are given for losing and keeping the same people.

It shows how we all interpret what we see on screen differently.

Anton with any luck. The lack of exposure he's had since Nancy went is beginning to raise my hopes.

The Tour is outsourced by BBC Worldwide, the tv production team is completely seperate.



Totally agree and the Jordon's are safe imo. James is the rebel and plays that role well. Darren and Lilia were nice but dull.

Robin maybe in trouble if there was a shake up but I doubt there will be.


He was also dropped as the the judge on Lets Dance For Comic/Sport Relief the year after the Race row.

I don't worry about who goes, I just want Ian BACK !!!!