I do agree. BGT is a step down in my opinion, I cant understand why anybody would make that move. Unless the BBC were looking to replace her anyway and perharps she knew this might be a possibility and jumped at the offer to something else. BGT was really quite awful last series, it did well the first 3 series - Paul Potts was also a success and I think a couple of others have made albums, even Stavors Flatley have done nicely off the back of it but Im not sure the show can go anywhere but down now - its become a bit tired as Cowells shows are now seen as predictable and a vehicle for him to push whoever he thinks will make him the most money. Out of all the shows she would have been a better fit for X Factor, she could have done really well as a Cheryl Cole replacement but she was already a Strictly girl by that point.

Would be nice to see a complete unknown come into Strictly, somebody with knowledge and a personality. As much as I do like Karen I dont think I could take her on the main show every week. Will the other 3 definitely be staying?

Yes, the same press outlets that leaked Alesha leaving Strictly have leaked the new BGT panel. Amanda Holden is only doing the live shows, allegedly. There was a rumour that Simon wanted to sack her last year - then she became pregnant, which left him in a difficult position. She is married and cannot flirt convincingly with Simon, which he seems to think is the key to a successful panel. Thus (young, free and single) Alesha's signing doesn't surprise me.

BGT ratings peaked years ago and have declined ever since.....
but good riddance

That's why i am shocked. I can't see BGT reviving her music career. People don't take the show seriously enough for that to even happen. SCD may not have helped her musically. but she was improving as a judge imo and i think that might have helped her in the long run. She was good this year and SCD is such a warm show to be a part of.

I don't know how much BGT pays their judges, but unless Simon Cowell promised her a record deal or something, i really think this is a money motivated move. I mean she is even part of the new weight watches campaign.

But what will Sinitta have to say?

I just saw it on my facebook b/c she confirmed it also on her facebook;so its true.
She was my fav. contestant ever before Chelsee.I know Im in minority but I really like her on strictly .At the end of the day she has to look after her own interests.At the beginning maybe strictly did helped her in her professional career but then after it all went downhill from there.I think she is so much more talented that the likes of Cheryl Cole for example and its a shame imo that she isnt not more succesful than her for example.
So while Im a bit disappointed with this news, I wish her all the luck and Im happy for her because that this is a really good move (professionally) for her. I read some comments here calling her a talentless bitch which I think is pretty harsh sure she wasnt suitable for the job but to call her talentless.
I think that this year is going to be very succesful for her

Well i always thought Alesha was a smart girl but maybe i am wrong.

Cowell is all about making money so if Alesha wants to be one of his puppies, than good luck. People have seen what happened to Cheryl Cole, Kate Thornton, Kelly Brook, Dannii Minogue etc... so i really struggle to see why you would leave a great show like SCD to join his empire.

What serious musician are we talking about?

That is fantastic news & about time. She should never have got the job

They (ITV/Syco) would see it as a massive coup, getting a judge to defect from SCD

They are welcome to her of course.

I don't see why you should be sad for her. She left to join another show so it's all in her best interests.

I wish her luck on BGT though, and she will deffo need it.

Alesha. She comes across as somebody who takes her music career very seriously, so i can't see why she would go and judge on a pretty flat, rubbish, money making show like BGT.

Thank you very much.

I am happy she is leaving. She has no credibility. Never has. Let's hope we get a proper judge this time and not just someone the BBC see as a crowd pleasing celebrity.

Money talks, I am sure she will be well rewarded for switching jobs. IMO she is only doing what most people would do.

It's been confirmed now. Good luck to her i say.

Probably money? £90,000 per series vs whatever she is going to get paid. Same reason Bleakley, Chiles etc left the Beeb. And we know how that ended!

Im not sad for her. I dont think I said that, I said I was happy for her .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16385243

Confirmed. Let's see how long Simon will keep her for.

She got 90k for Strictly?

Yes, all the 4 judges were allegedly paid £90,000 each last series. There were reports that she was the highest paid judge and on £100,000, but she dismissed this on twitter.

I thought it would be alot more. She will probably make more in one series for BGT than all 3 for Strictly.

So much for a midnight embargo... unless the BBC have just decided to break it.

I thought Amanda Holden confirmed she was doing the auditions too?

Nice to see the Beeb's article is accurate... won it in 2009, did she? :yawn:

She was shamelessly angling for the job when she was asked about SCD's success she was talking up the X Factor.

Never rated her as a judge, although I loved her as a dancer. I will be glad to see the back of her

Does Simon Cowell make a lot of money from recording deals by BGT winners?