IMO he is spoiling the show with his stupid jokes and comments the fact all the judges do not get to comment is pathetic. He is a complete waste of space. After tonight I will be using Sky + and ff his part.

Well, I thought if his jokes were cut out then all the judges comments would be allowed. Bruce is ok but he DOES get tedious sometimes...

not sure why he is still there,its embarassing

The judges don't all get to comment because it was a horribly rushed programme tonight. The celebs and their professionals were virtually running down those stairs at the start.

yah, think the BBC should have given us an extra 1/2 hour tonight

They didn't need an extra half hour - they needed to cut out Bruce's stupid "jokes".

I think he is charming

To be fair, I think the BBC include his jokes just to present a bit of variety, otherwise it could become a bit formulaic.

However, I thought on occasions he was a bit off tonight and lost his place on the auto-cue, but that could have been the director "fast forwarding" it to make up time. Bruce likes to work at his own pace and is easily distracted, but that can be when he's funniest.

much as it pains me to say, as I do like Brucie, but I have to agree with OP, its time he went.

His performance was stilted as he strained to read the autocue.

No they should have cut straight into the music at the start instead of wasting valuable seconds with yet another preview of another series of SCD.

I personally love Brucie and don't want him gone and the level of abuse he gets is very OTT IMO. Anyway I do agree. Some of the jokes he does takes up time when we could be having another judge put his point of view across. EG Craig telling Victoria where she went wrong.

Please! Sir Bruce just had a touch of first night nerves, he soon got into his stride and ruled supreme as usual.

Another one of your comments that's made me giggle!

Thought he was noticeably bad tonight, and that's going some given his performances over the last couple of series. Couldn't read the autocue, kept fluffing his lines, and his jokes were terrible and pointless.

I utterly love Bruce, but even I have to admit tonight he was bad. I can tolerate his tradionally poor jokes (has always been Bruce's way!) but he noticably fluffed his lines on more than one occasion tonight and I did cringe a bit.

I admire him so much and if I have half of his energy and spirit at 84 (that's if I'm even alive!) I'll be happy, but I think this should be his final series.

It was and I hope when he looks back at the tape of tonights show he says to himself that was bad and it is time I stood down.

oh god yess!!! where do I sign?

I enjoy Bruce. But for me, I personally feel it's time his role was at the very least reduced. Give him less material to work with and have him doing straight links. I felt awkward and embarrassed for him and found him so uncomfortable to watch I had to mute the TV. It could be first night nerves, but he's always had issues on SCD. It's not even his bad jokes, we are suppose to find them bad, he just fluffs his lines and seems lost most of the time. I did chuckle at two of his 'jokes' though, which must be a record.

I also had to mute the TV when the judges came on. I felt embarrassed for Darcy, she doesn't have ease of camera presence. Maybe it's nerves and hopefully she will gain her stride. The other judges are just annoying and cringeworthy with their scripted pantomime criticisms.

I watched most of the show in mute, and it was a revelation, so much so, I muted it for the backstage chat and the VT's as well. Honestly, Strictly is so much better muted.

I personally dont like him, I dont find his jokes funny and dont like him as a presenter . Tess can also be annoying with the stupid questions she ask the celebs and some of the things she says are so cringey same goes for Bruce.

Leave him alone. He will probably leave in season ten.

What season are we on now?

I agree leave Sir Bruce alone, if he decides to retire in the next five years or so it will be a very sad day for Strictly Come Dancing.

They should have started it a bit earlier, there was only that dreadful Miranda (and a Scottish opt-out) on at 2030h. I wonder if they did not want to clash with Coronation Street?

There were a couple of major news stories last night so I suspect they were under strict instructions to not overrun.

Was the programme live, ten o'clock is getting a bit late for Bruce!

Do as I do and press the mute button when he is on! It is very annoying as other people have said that the judges can't all have their say but he gets away with his unfunny nonsense!

He just makes me cringe.

Please do, Enough is enough