[FM Lover]

I must admit I am disappointed by the news of Darcy's appointment to the show, she's certainly no Alesha but at least the BBC haven't gone for a younger female so can't be accused of ageism.

Although Darcy was as dull as ditch water when she was a guest judge back in 2009 we all should give her a chance, it's going to be difficult enough for her to settle in without having us all calling for her dismissal before she's started.

Hopefully she'll come into her own being a regular part of the panel. At least they didn't go for Jennifer Grey

[mossy2103]

Originally Posted by Jan2555*GG*

I am really worried that Strictly is going to fall by the way side because of all the money being thrown at the Voice.

Strictly is the BBC's jewel in the Saturday night entertainment crown for Autumn, whilst The Voice is currently the BBC's jewel in the Saturday night entertainment crown for the Spring. I can't see them wanting to sacrifice Strictly's success in that respect

[i love pudding]

To be fair the BBC's list of choices was probably:

1. Darcey Bussell

2. Jennifer Grey

3. 'Brunella' - Bruno's sister, a famous ex dancer in Italy, did some background work in music vids for the Italian version of Elton John etc. The clause in the contract would have been that 'Brunella' would never appear in the same shot as her brother and would dress exactly the same as him each week except for a fetching blonde wig.

Unfortunately, 'Brunella' was unavailable....

[Seymour]

Darcey Bussell is great news, now Zoe Ball back on ITT...Job done!

[Damahepa]

N.B. The last time Darcey was on was the season before Moira Ross's revolution, i.e. before props, before Darren/Lilia/Ian/Matt were shown the door (be it via the dance troupe or not) and the last one before the dance off- like it or loathe it, put in to put emphasis on good dancers over entertainers. Darcey's appointment may be a dry blast from the past, but a lot on this forum are decrying the change. Even if it's only a minor step back to the good ole' days where Len could pickle his walnuts in ballroom peace, it's still in the right direction is it not?

[Damahepa]

Originally Posted by i love pudding

To be fair the BBC's list of choices was probably:

1. Darcey Bussell

2. Jennifer Grey

3. 'Brunella' - Bruno's sister, a famous ex dancer in Italy, did some background work in music vids for the Italian version of Elton John etc. The clause in the contract would have been that 'Brunella' would never appear in the same shot as her brother and would dress exactly the same as him each week except for a fetching blonde wig.

Unfortunately, 'Brunella' was unavailable....

Am I the only one mortally disappointed by that?

[i love pudding]

Originally Posted by Damahepa

[/b]

Am I the only one mortally disappointed by that?

Its ok - she's thinking about doing Dancing on Ice

[Cheryl423]

Jan2555*GG* - hmmm. Well, ballet is certainly a niche area, that's unfortunately true. Probably because there isn't much money in it.

BUT, Darcey is a household name, not because she was a dancer but because of the number of things she was involved with OUTSIDE ballet. I point you to this feature if you want to know more about the campaigns she was involved with http://balletnews.co.uk/ballet-busin...ballet-dancer/

I would argue too that Darcey is almost unparalleled in being the one ballet dancer that most people have heard of and would book to see if they'd never been to a ballet before - or she did until she retired.

I don't think her popularity is the only reason she's been picked - she screen tested well and in a long run of shows (rather than the one she did as a guest judge) I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how she manages things.

Craig Revel-Horwood has worked with just about everyone including the other contenders - and he backed Darcey.

Most people know that ballet training forms the basis for all dance technique and that's why so many of the celebs are asked to go and take ballet lessons, so Darcey will have plenty to bring to the table that you won't have heard before and I hope it will be inspiring and interesting. She is an inspirational figure to a lot of people - because she is very nice and because she is well-known.

Fingers crossed it's a good one this year.

[cazzbar]

Darcey Bussell - amazing ability as a ballet dancer.

As a judge - last time she had less personality than the desk they sit at. I hope she can develop her personality, grow a strong and loud voice and appear in tune with the viewers. i always think of ballet as 'posh' and nothing like a hot and steamy latin dance.

[Monkseal]

Because if there's any part of any series I wanted to revisit, it's the scrag-end of Series 7.

It feels like a box checking exercise rather than comitting to any sort of direction :

Sort of knows about ballroom dancing
Sort of famous in her own right outside of the show
Sort of already connected to the show
Sort of experienced with live television
Sort of alright, kind of, I guess *shrug*

I can see why they've punted this out there now, rather than after The Voice/Britain's Got Talent war ended where it would have got actual scrutiny.

[IzzieStar]

Originally Posted by Cheryl423

Jan2555*GG* - hmmm. Well, ballet is certainly a niche area, that's unfortunately true. Probably because there isn't much money in it.

BUT, Darcey is a household name, not because she was a dancer but because of the number of things she was involved with OUTSIDE ballet. I point you to this feature if you want to know more about the campaigns she was involved with http://balletnews.co.uk/ballet-busin...ballet-dancer/

I would argue too that Darcey is almost unparalleled in being the one ballet dancer that most people have heard of and would book to see if they'd never been to a ballet before - or she did until she retired.

I don't think her popularity is the only reason she's been picked - she screen tested well and in a long run of shows (rather than the one she did as a guest judge) I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how she manages things.

Craig Revel-Horwood has worked with just about everyone including the other contenders - and he backed Darcey.

Most people know that ballet training forms the basis for all dance technique and that's why so many of the celebs are asked to go and take ballet lessons, so Darcey will have plenty to bring to the table that you won't have heard before and I hope it will be inspiring and interesting. She is an inspirational figure to a lot of people - because she is very nice and because she is well-known.

Fingers crossed it's a good one this year.

The cynic in me wonders if that was on purpose and that he knew she would be joining the panel.

[jgivvy]

I often read but just warming up to posting. However, disappointment at new judge has spurred me to action!

I have to agree with all the comments on Darcey Bussell's lack of personality last time round. She was far too muted and almost withdrawn in her comments.

As others have suggested, she may find more of a voice now she is a regular. Being a guest and having to squeeze remarks into a limited time frame because of the number of judges to hear from may have limited her.

I'll be interested to see the dynamic between her and the other judges - to my mind she'll get on better with Craig than with Len or Bruno but a proper divide between them all might prove entertaining.

[Jan2555*GG*]

Originally Posted by Monkseal

Because if there's any part of any series I wanted to revisit, it's the scrag-end of Series 7.

It feels like a box checking exercise rather than comitting to any sort of direction :

Sort of knows about ballroom dancing
Sort of famous in her own right outside of the show
Sort of already connected to the show
Sort of experienced with live television
Sort of alright, kind of, I guess *shrug*

I can see why they've punted this out there now, rather than after The Voice/Britain's Got Talent war ended where it would have got actual scrutiny.

Yup thats exactly how I feel.....I am not exactly unhappy about it I just feels unispiring and a bit so what.

I am sure shoe horning herself into the judges table as a 'guest' meant she didnt really feel at home so I am hoping that explains her less than inspiring contribution at that time.

[jake lyle]

Originally Posted by Jan2555*GG*

Yup thats exactly how I feel.....I am not exactly unhappy about it I just feels unispiring and a bit so what.
.

I agree but I don't know who would have been an inspiring choice either. Karen Hardy wouldn't have been and there is no suitable ex female contestants either imo.

Originally Posted by Monkseal

I can see why they've punted this out there now, rather than after The Voice/Britain's Got Talent war ended where it would have got actual scrutiny.

I think its because she is in the country at the moment [which is rare as she lives in Australia iirc] doing a corporate gig (with Zoe Ball) and is available for press/contract signing etc

[elasticlove]

Does anybody else think that the little graph of 'how they compare' is a little offensive towards Alesha?

[fabulist]

Disaster. Bye bye SCD

[dale g]

I am so disappointed that Darcey has been appointed, she didn't add anything to the panel a few years ago, so why did the BBC choose her again?? Yes she is a dancer, but she not the right kind of personality. She appears too reserved, maybe she will prove us wrong. But atleast it not Jennifer 'Eight' Grey who got the job.

For me, if it were my choice it would have been Arlene to return or Karen Hardy appointed as a judge. With either of the 2, there would have been chemistry and difference of opinion with the other 3 judges, I just don't see this with Darcey.

If the BBC had thought about it and wanted the highest possible ratings against the X Factor, then a return for Arlene would have been the way to go.

[jake lyle]

Originally Posted by dale g

For me, if it were my choice it would have been Arlene to return or Karen Hardy appointed as a judge. With either of the 2, there would have been chemistry and difference of opinion with the other 3 judges, I just don't see this with Darcey.

If the BBC had thought about it and wanted the highest possible ratings against the X Factor, then a return for Arlene would have been the way to go.

Yeah she was a real ratings magnet on So You Think You Can Dance...........................

Can't wait for that 3rd series ...............oh wait.

[dale g]

Originally Posted by jake lyle

Yeah she was a real ratings magnet on So You Think You Can Dance...........................

Can't wait for that 3rd series ...............oh wait.

Following her axing a few years back and the way it was handled and the media interest, - I think more viewers may have tuned in to see her return.

[Vister:)!]

I'm acutally going to miss Alesha (although i lover her on BGT)
For me, i liked Alesha beacuse she said what we (well me) thought at home,whilst the judges lacked this.
Also Alesha was ALWAYS kind and constructive to the contestants because she knows whats like both in rehursals and firing line by the judges!

To compare Alesha and Darcys jive... Alesha's was far better, the only reason why she didn't recieve tens was because she did too early in the comp! Darcys jive was awful i mean even christine Beakley's was better!

Also, esepcially this year Alesha became her own the panel, she had her own style and flare. Her comments had vastly improved by series by seires and i think she would of been great this year to!

Plus she brought personality to the panel, which darcy won't! Like the whole Nancy Rhumba fiasco, she didn't look femenine and she should of stayed in the coffin! And the chemistry Alesha and Bruno had was lovely to see, like at the end of each scoring they both fake kiss, and in lens lense they'd alwasy be laughing and joking!

Whereas Nancy was a really dull,boring and quite honest a SCRIPTED JUDGE. Her comments were vague and quite irrelvent to the celebs, as Alesha used to give them tips.

Plus nancy has a personality of a peice of wood, she's not going to bring anything to panel, she's to laid back! I can't see her being fiesty.

I do acutally want Alesha back..

[Steve9214]

Darcey was only a judge for the last few shows of series 7, so she was only judging the "best" dancers.

Maybe if she had been judging for the first few shows she may have been more critical.

If they screen tested her and others, and she was deemed the best then no-one can argue really.
Same as when Jonathon Ross replaced Barry Norman for the "film" programme chair - he did the best audition - end of.

IMHO Safe to assume most of the Pro dancers will be unchanged for next series (unless they have fallen foul of the producers somehow) as I believe there will be no major changes until Bruce leaves.

[jake lyle]

Originally Posted by Vister:)!

To compare Alesha and Darcys jive... Alesha's was far better, the only reason why she didn't recieve tens was because she did too early in the comp! Darcys jive was awful i mean even christine Beakley's was better!

Welcome back Aleshadixon.net

Are you really comparing Darcy's jive which was learnt in a few days as a guest performance with Alesha's which has performed competetively as a contestant after months of training. Very rational.

[Vister:)!]

Excuese me?

Erm no she spent 2 weeks learning it...
Alesha must of spent 1 week on the jive.

[Jan2555*GG*]

Originally Posted by jake lyle

I agree but I don't know who would have been an inspiring choice either. Karen Hardy wouldn't have been and there is no suitable ex female contestants either imo.

Yes I agree.....but to be honest I expected them to pick someone controversial in order to generate newspaper column inches....so this has come as a bit of shock.

[Emmersonne]

Meh.

Just....meh. Which I suppose is better than outrage.