I thought IT2 was revived under Zoe Ball, and I like Claudia, but having a change of presenter made it fresh.

Although I've got my favourite pros, to see some new ones and how they would choose music and choreography would be interesting to see.

Pasha and Artem as the two newest pros I think have brought some new innovative choreography to the dances.

mostly for me, it's about the celebs, and who I connect with

It's in the Daily Mail, so why is everyone assuming there's any truth in it?

They have made a lot of changes just in the last couple of years or so. There's already several quite new pros, and if they do alter the line-up again I think they will start to lose viewers.

Am I the only person that doesn't mind James? Wouldn't mind seeing Anton and Erin getting the boot though.

Hmm, iirc, the first "shake-up" happened after series 7, with Darren/Lilia/Ian/Matt leaving (forgive me if I've forgotten anyone)

Here's how many series everyone has done:

Brendan - 9
Anton - 9
Erin - 9
James - 6
Ola - 6
Vincent - 6
Flavia - 6
Kristina - 4
Natalie - 3
Aliona - 3
Katya - 3
Artem - 2
Robin - 2
Pasha - 1

Ian, Lilia and Darren went after doing 6 series each, Matt went after 4 I think. Of the pros, I think James & Ola will be gone (they can only have one bad boy and that is Brendan). Vincent is an outsider possibility (I think if push came to shove, they'd pick Flavia over him). Robin and Katya haven't had many chances tbh, but out of the 2 I'd pick Katya to go.

^^ That's if it is 4/5 pros axed btw, which I don't think it will be. 3 at the most.

Don't want Erin to go - and she wont if Anton and Bruce have anything to do with it

My money is on the Jordan's going

I think the Jordan's are most likely to leave as they were not selected for the tour too. Then again Katya, Aliona and Natalies positions look precarious too. Only time will tell on this one.

Aliona has just won and was runner-up last year; a remarkable record.

lilia had a remarkable record too

Only because she's been given the cream of the crop for the past 2 series and she really should have done better with Rav considering he was good on paper! Lilia's record was far more remarkable since she achieved the same with celebs who weren't naturally gifted and also got far with other weaker celebs. I don't mind Aliona but I do get a bit peeved when the success of her naturally talented, popular celeb partners is attributed entirely to her! Having said that I don't think they'll get rid of Aliona because she did win with Harry last series and because the producers want her for her 'controversial' choereography which is often a talking point!

Thanks that's good to know - I just hope if they're back next series they'll be given at least half decent partners.

And it's actually culled (and credited) from a Mirror story that appeared a day or so earlier

Why do Aliona and Natalie's positions look precarious too?

I would have thought they were pretty safe, but then again we've been surprised by some of the pros who have been dropped before!

honestly the whole story is so speculative and we dont even know who the new producer is

I think it is too early to say who goes and who stays as we dont know what the new produceers view of the programme will be

They have to keep Anton !!! Who else will they pair the comic turn up with, and the comic turn has proved to be an essential part of Strictly since John Sergeant.

I could certainly see Erin gone........well past her sell by date, and I imagine James is grating on their nerves to a huge degree, and they may as well kill two birds with one stone and get rid of him and Ola. Could not see them getting rid of Vincent, he is one of the most popular pros and his professional partnership with Flavia is too important to split.

Anton wont do it without erin

And their demonstration AT is always a joy to behold.

Artem was much better with Nancy on tour than Anton was on the show because he was completely dead pan with a look of resigned resignation which made it hilarious.....Anton can never resist making it all about him so subsequently he just made Nancy look completely stupid. Like or loath them it is meant to be about the celeb and not the pro.

If any Pros are axed it wouldn't suprise me given the actions of the BBC since Nicole and Hayley were dumped in the fashion that they were.

The only Pro that would be obvious to me for the BBC to axe (apart from obv Anton) is Robin. He's a nice guy but he has a slightly forgettable personality, not to mention his choreograhy hasn't made much impact (on me anyway). Pashas won't go because he had a good first year so would be very suprised if he was let go. Would be suprised if Katya went too because, despite having either rubbish or average dance partners, she has made the partnerships as memorable as she possily could (and funny too ie.. with Gavin and Phil) and she herself is abit like a firework with a personality disorder so at least she'll keep you guessing (unlike Robin who verges on being boring).

As long as Flavia and Vincent don't go then I'll be happy! James and Ola, well, wouldn't mind booting James but would Strictly want to get rid of a Pro who has prob now surpassed Brendan as the Bad Boy of the show (or as I describe it, the new crying baby of the Pro bunch) and will help create headlines for them.

I'll be glad to see the back of the James &Ola. Is it too much to ask that Anton goes too? I know he has his fans, but even they have to admit he is rotten at latin and therefore his partner doen't start on a level playing field.

I like James and Ola..including the other current pros and the ones we lost. I also think that new dancers are perhaps being employed perhaps because it's cheaper than keeping others on the older contracts.
As for keeping the show 'fresh', I call it fiddling about for the sake of being seen to be doing something for one's salary, on a show that would be as successful even if all the producers meddled off over the horizon.

A lot depends on what happens behind the scenes - stuff that we don't see.

James, Brendan and Anton might be "mouthy" on camera, but maybe they were told to do that by the producers.
James got Alex Jones (the BBC darling) to the semi finals, Ola won with Chris Hollins from BBC Breakfast, and both Jordans are regarded as "good dance teachers".

If you want a celeb to get a good way in the competition - give them to a Jordan. (Apart from Paul Daniels !!)
If they get someone like Sharon Osbourne for next series they will want her with a "solid" pro like James to rub Cowell's nose out of joint

Brendan's rent-a-pro status would have gone down well with the producers.

Natalie is very tall - and a lot of male celebs are tall, Ola is short, so ditto for short males. (Ian Waite may have lost out if they had a lack of tall female celebs to work with him.)

Anton and Erin are probably most at risk, as was mentioned earlier, on tour Artem worked better with Nancy than Anton did on TV. Plus they don't tour.
Maybe Artem will get a comedy partner this time.

Conversely, Artem does seem to be a bit injury-prone.

Was it any coincidence that most celebs that went out early in the last series are the ones paried with pro's who don't WANT to do the tour (apart from Katya but that was due to the odd numbers of celebs).

The Tour is very separate from the TV show, where the main focus will be beating X-factor.
If you make changes you lose ratings - fact.
They have to find a new female judge, but if Bruce remains as host, I expect as much continuity as possible.
If Bruce goes, there will be big changes anyway so that will trigger a cull of pro's.

I used my secret ninja skills to find Moira's most secret hitlist before she left:

"
James - XXXX - acts like witless throwback in front of the cameras. Has drawn good performances out of older celebrities though, and comes with Ola.
Ola - XX - choreography hasn't been up to much, and is James' partner. Has dads appeal though. kissy-kissy XXX (*this might be my bit)
Anton - XX - Latin dancing weak, never been in a final, a long timer. But verges on being a comedian and a gentleman.
Erin - XXX - Latin dancing not so weak as Anton, but no longer truly young or sizzling with sexuality. But paired with the comedy draw.
Flavia - X - No complaints, and a genuine tangoista. Copped off with a partner though and people always say she has funny teeth.
Vincent - XX - This tangoista adds credibility to the program, and has some amusement, but his small size limits potential partner compatibility.
Pasha - X - Has got to a final but no long track record in Strictly. Would people miss him?
Katya - XX - has been in a movie but not made great waves in Strictly. Not a very curvy bunny for the Dads.
Artem - X - won once, gone far with Holly. But copped off with a partner and Holly almost broke him. Literally.
Aliona - Steamy and successful.
Kristina - X - Dances like an amazon, but the Donatella of Strictly. She's had her lips, eyelids, breasts and cheeks done. Who knows what she'll look like next year? Copped off with a partner too.
Robin - XXXX - Looks like he belongs over a cathedral arch. Sweet but inconsequential as a choreographer and personality.
Brenda - XX - volatile rep garners some headlines. Been around a long time and does not seem to be amongst the most sizzling.
Natalie - XXX - Fell asleep in the gro-bag. Can't I find someone smaller and cuter?
"

I always thought it was time for Brendan to go until last series when I felt he really came into his own.....and was very sweet as rent a pro. James I had always had a soft spot for until last series when I found him boorish dull and egotistical. I thought Ola's coreography with Robbie was very suspect apart from their foxtrot.

Too be honest much as though I love them both I think Vincent and Flavia might be in the target zone too.....Vincent hasnt really made much of an impression since his run with Rachel Stevens....for me somehow his heart doesnt seem to be in it anymore. Flavia is just too nice to be a stern teacher which is what they need sometimes. She has been a bit unlucky with her celebs and her stint with Russell might save them from the chop but somehow there is a little something in my mind that thinks they may not be back.

I have been preparing myself for them not coming back for a while Jan and I don't know if it will be a case of them not being asked back, or them deciding themselves not to go back. Either way I hope I am wrong as I'm not quite ready for a Strictly without them, and I definitely wouldn't have the same interest in it.

I know that there are lots of other pros have their own shows/tours and still do SCD, but theirs is a bit different and is more of a whole production than a series of shows if that makes any sense, and I'm certainly not being dismissive of the other pros shows when I say that, as I know they are all VERY good too, but are different kinds of shows to what V&F have and they seem to only want to run them for a month or two in the year.

I think Midnight Tango has proved to be too successful for the production company to want to finish it after this current 2012 run, and think it could be possible for it to get either another West End run in 2013, or maybe even travel further afield, and I just wonder how long the Midnight Tango production company would allow them to fit their show around their Strictly timetable.

Hopefully there is room for both Midnight Tango AND Strictly, so I've got my fingers crossed they will be back ........ but think if they are that it could very well be their last, but I'll worry about that when it happens!

First of all this is all rumours at the minute but if they are axing pros I do think that Vincent and Flavia may be leaving due to comparisons with Darren and Lilia. As both started getting successful contestants and then started only getting duds or 'funny' contestants. With the standard of contestants there were last year Flavia got Russell instead of Harry or Jason (as good as the partnership of Flavia and Russell was) and Vincent got Edwina. Both couples had very successful tours, west end shows and were well known. Unfortunately I can't see them returning but I hope that I am wrong as Dilly says they can do both strictly & Midnight tango.

Anton and Erin seem the obvious choice as they have been there the longest and latin is not Anton's strong point to put it nicely but everyone thought this the last time as well (at least about Anton). Could see Erin as a judge tho.

James and Ola - James is James and Ola's choreography has got very samey, they were not on the tour but as the tour is separate it doesnt really prove anything other than Craig didnt want them on the tour this year. Seems likely to be them but it depends on the producers.

Artem - Depends if Kara is made a judge I can't see the public being too forgiving on a girlfriend judging her boyfriend. Favouritism will be the new Lilia/Ola is pregnant thread on this site if Kara is judging Artem. Would rather seen Artem dance than Kara judge tbh.

Brendan - Rent-a-pro did him the world of good last year and he has changed since he has settled down. Lulu was probably the worst contestant he had in terms of personality clashes and if you compare it with who he acted with Sarah Manners in series 2 he is completely different and seems to become a better dancer every year.

Pasha - came 2nd, instant hit, would be shock if he left.

Aliona - 2nd and 1st in the last 2 years so would be another shock

Natalie - dont think any of the other pros could do as well as Audley or Mark and after what Mark said on tour about how hard it was for strictly to get her as a pro I can't see her leaving in fact I could see Ian coming back if they have a tall enough celeb

Katya - hasn't really had the chance to shine due to who she has been partnered with. Was on the tour for the first time has a good pro partnership with Pasha but I think it depends who they audition and which new pros they wants.

Robin - not sure has done a good job with the celebs he had but hasn't really made an impact compared to Artem and Pasha.

Kristina - not sure she was amazing with Jason her choreography was great but it depends on the new producers ideas.

so the favourites to be cut may be James, Ola, Anton and Erin due to a number of factors but I don't know many who would have picked Lilia, Darren, Matthew, Ian and Brian as the ones to be axed the last time.

Kara has said she is not interested in judging however the tabloids still keep trotting it out.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...n-actress.html
For me it should be Anton and Erin well past there sell by date I'm afraid!