Here's what I think the programme producers will be looking for in terms of a replacement for Alesha:

1. Female - can't possibly be another male judge.

2. Big personality (like Alesha's).

3. Some credibility as a dance judge.

4. Good chemistry with the other judges.

Of the possible candidates whose names seem to have been bandied about lately:

(1) would rule out such as Ian Waite or Gavin Henson (!).

(2) would probably rule out such as Kara Tointon.

(3) would rule out such as Miranda Hart.

(4) may rule out such as Karen Hardy, who would, I imagine, tread on Len's toes too much.

Someone who might fit the bill would be (surprise, surprise) Arlene Phillips, but I don't think they'd bring her back (and they probably take the view that she's too old anyway, I'm afraid).

The only person I can think of offhand who meets all the criteria would be Louise Redknapp: she's a trained dancer (not Ballroom though - but then neither are Craig or Bruno), she's proved herself on the panel in SYTYCD and I think she'd get on well with the other judges. Somehow, though, she seems too obvious, too safe a bet.

Can anyone think of alternatives who might better fit the bill?

Problem is getting a) a 'big' enough name, and b) someone with enough dance experience/credibity.

Unless you've been on SCD as a pro, the chances are no one in the greater world will have heard of you if you're a dancer.

Not to mention the fact they've got to be pretty good in front of the camera, being able to speak and put across critism to people.

In addition you've probably got to be young enough (under 40) to avoid the judges bench looking too old. (we could also say too white, but thats a tricky area).

It's actually a very very difficult thing to do. If this was the early days of SCD then you could have got away with a pro-dancer, but if the BBC put someone you've not heard of on their 'flagship' programme and they struggle, you've got problems.

So do you go the pro-dancer route, which could only be one of three in my eyes (Karen, Camilla and Lilla, and the last two might not be strong enough in terms of presentation),

Problem is as a judge, you've got to have a little bit of nasty in you. Alesha showed it at times.

The important point with 3) is "some" not "loads". Which then rules out any professional dancer or Arlene.

Alesha had precious little, it didn't stop them appointing her.


Amongst the general viewing public, I don't think many people had heard of Len, Craig or Bruno either. Arlene was better known from the 'Hot Gossip' days, but I wouldn't have said she was a household name either.


This is crucial.


Also true.

To my mind, the OP made some very valid points for what the BBC should be looking for.

But I suspect their main criterion will be getting column inches from their choice. Balance on the judging panel (young-ish, female, possibly non-Caucasian). Dance experience/credibility will be a distant third I'm afraid.

Karen Hardy has always come across as someone who can give very good critique, and having been a contestant, she know what is required.

We really don't need another Aleesha who seemed to give out far too higher marks for the dances, out of sync with the other judges.

It has to be a 'no' to Arlene. we have got over her now, and her drumming voice and having her 'favourite' dancers is detrimental to the show.

I would be happy for Karen to get the nod, her review on ITT is always interesting and enlightening ..... and she is already half way there as she does the 'Red button' commentary.

They need look no further.

I still think they will try to get Kimberly Wyatt from 'Got to Dance' to replace Alesha, rather than pick someone already connected to the programme,

Not an American please. They don't 'get' our shows and don't have quite the same absurd sense of humour or understand the jokes.

Think the OP has it right. But it is a difficult one and I guess that the BBC will want a name - and it won't matter a hoot if they know anything about dancing or not. Louise Redknapp is simply not big enough and knows just enough about dance to be a half-way house which is emphatically what they won't want. I think it is too late for Karen.

Strictly has always been an Entertainment show.....whether FM`s like it or not the contestants will never be critiqued and marked as they would in a competitive Dance competition.....and for that reason I don`t think the BBC will choose a qualified Latin/Ballroom judge to replace Alesha

I think the BBC may go down the route of looking for a Contemporary Dance Choreographer.......If they were not in their 60`s(or dead ) then one of the Original members of Pans People/Legs and Co could possibly fit the bill....Is there a big name(subjective I know) and female contemporary Dance choreographer out there. ?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...sco-dance.html

I think the beeb may go with someone like Emma Bunton right age demographic, pop star, done SCD and judged on DOI (don't know if she was any good). They will be looking to try and keep the people who switched over from X factor last year so think that rules out an oldie. Not sure about Nicole, I find her pretty tiresome and will they want a Simon Cowell reject? But who knows, and I'm not sure I really care, usually fast forward the judges anyway

And having been a several times world champion would make other three (yes inc Len) lesser ballroom/Latin experts
Take a yes from me

Ta for the replies so far, folks. I think the BBC may have a bit of a problem finding a replacement for Alesha; in retrospect, she (eventually) turned out to be pretty much spot-on as the fourth judge (though I know many will disagree!).


Yes, a fact not often mentioned. She wasn't always nice smiles and encouraging comments - she could be very dismissive and cutting at times.


I think you may have hit the nail on the head there - I really wouldn't be surprised if Emma replaces Alesha, assuming she's available. She's certainly got the right personality, and, as you say, has done a bit of judging on DOI.


Well, I think the fact that she'd try to overshadow the other judges would in itself rule her out completely, however good a judge she is (and I know she's popular with Forum members).

People forget how much a Sleb can earn through corporates and PAs.

Check out http://www.celebrityappearances.co.u...t.aspx?id=1341

Clicking on some of the links on the left can show you how much someone like Tess (God help us) can earn from a PA - and there are LOTS of Companies wanting to book Celebs.

The underlying lesson is, perhaps, that being a judge on Strictly is NOT financially such an attractive carrot as people think.

Oh, if youve seen this

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/...5875-23690349/

Good luck to Nancy - I hope she really enjoys wining and dining Moira Ross - especially as Moira Ross is no longer the Producer of the Show!

JJ

What about Scary Spice/Mel B?

She sort of fills the demographic too? And more importantly she was a better more accomplished dancer when she was on the US version than when Emma was on SCD.

She would tick some of the many boxes without having to be a UK ex celeb and she would "get" the UK sense of humour with comedy contestants.

Also I cant see the Beeb going down the route of recruiting an ITV DOI reject (or even a Simon Cowell reject).

If Len were to decide he wanted to concentrate on Dancing With The Stars, that would open up all sorts of possibilites.

It was interesting to see that DOI have now gone with just three judges and the comments are far more technical and about improvement rather than trying to be clever, be interesting to see how the public reacts. Right now the judging on SCD is pretty pantomime and on the whole not really worth listening to.

I think Kimberly would be an excellent choice. Far from not 'getting' our shows, Kimberly has shown what a good judge she is on Got To Dance, and I think she could be more parsimonious with the 10s than Craig.

Sarah Brightman was in Hot Gossip - also heard rumoured that Andrew Lloyd Webber has parted with BBC and will be doing his next theatre talent shows on ITV - so maybe get his ex-wife on Strictly.

Tracey Ullman was in the "Young Generation", and Jane Leeves (Frasier) was Hill's Angel on the Benny Hill show - although both are based Stateside

Bonnie Langford was in the original cast of Cats, and worked with Wayne Sleep in the '80's Dance boom.

Indeed, but then Stricty at the start was not the huge show it its now. It wasn't expected to be a huge hit, so they could get way with introducing 'relative; unknowns which then grew into bigger names.

Yeah, like us not having to put up with his phony 'cockney geezer' act and his grumpy jet lag and intolerance of anybody's views but his own. Be gone, I say!

No "phony cockney" geezer he!! He comes from a long line of East Londoners, is from West Ham area, and his family were greengrocers.

Len himself used to work in the Royal docks, in West Ham (where the London city Airport now sits).

JJ

Yes we need the ballroom dancing equivalent of Katarina Witt/Robin Cousins on SCD's judging panel.

It will be so hard to replace Alesha. Someone young, vibrant, an ex winner, someone that the contestants can identify with and who is popular with the public. I just hope they dont go for the old ballroom dancers or fogeys.

The level of judging will also be set by the Producers. Remember, in the States, Len is "Mr Grumpy", because the producers want that.

Well done to the DOI Production team on having a higher level of tech critique than previously. Hopefully, Strictly will follow their example.

JJ

The problem SCD has that apart from the professionals that have danced on SCD we don't have dancers/judges that are as high profile as Robin and Katerina. Personally, I would slim the panel to three with two professional dancers/judges and Craig, I think maybe SCD is going to have to take a chance and use a couple of the former professionals.

I'm not a big fan of DOI, I just find it a bit boring, but usually watch a couple of shows and I was quite impressed by the new panel and thought it worked.