Can some wise person please settle a family argument in my household. I say the music is not chosen by the contestants/professional partners but that they are given the music to dance to by the programme makers. Am I right or wrong. Please help. Thanks

I think it's a mixture of the pro's choosing from a list given to them by Dave Arch, and they themselves suggesting a piece of music they want to use for their choreography. I've heard Vincent saying on ITT he picked certain tracks because he liked them - last weeks music by Adele for his Tango was probably his choice because he tweeted last year he loved listening to her songs. I think that's why it worked so brilliantly for a moody dance - he knew it and chose it because it fitted so well.

When Michael was going to do Jive Natalie Tweeted asking for suggestions so sounds like pros have the choice

Michael ended up choosing the song for them.

I don't know who chooses the music, but whoever it is should be relieved of their post, and someone with some idea of what music goes with what dance chosen instead.

The music choices have been diabolical this year, it must be difficult enough having to dance something new each week without having to do it to completely inappropriate music. As far as I'm concerned tonight's efforts hit a new low.

I don't believe they have a choice, even a narrow one, any more than it was Russell's idea to be shot out of a cannon.. Too many inappropriate choices and visual themes.

There have been several hints by the celebs on ITT that the music is give to them by the producers.

The celebrities, with help from the pros looking through their MP3 / iPod, should choose the music and even choose the dance to go with the music and give the music / dance choice to Dave Arch and the producers.

Certainly for the first few dances so that they can get moving to music they like.

From what I gather the pros can submit a list of songs they have in mind but the producers have the final say so as to whether a song can be used or not.
I think a lot depends on copyright and getting permission to use it in time, or whether there is already a similar song being used on the show etc. They need a good variety each week so if one pro requests an Adele song for their foxtrot, and another requests an Adele song for their Rumba... well only one would be allowed.

A big thanks to all who responded. If indeed the professional has a say in it I am amazed that Flavia would choose a piece intended for a quickstep to dance an American Smooth. No doubt when they all write their autobiographies we shall learn the truth. Thanks again

BIB - but they danced a Quickstep. (American Smooth isn't a dance)

What is it then?

It's a style or, maybe, it's more accurate to say, it's a different set of parameters . In Strictly-land it can be based around any of the ballroom dances including QS. They can dance out of hold for 60% of the time and include 3 lifts if they want to. It's a freer version of the other dances. In Lens head, it has to be a foxtrot and done Fred and Ginger style, but those aren't the rules laid down by Strictly....if there are any rules


In real life, American Smooth means the way ballroom is danced in the US as opposed to International Ballroom (or Standard). Except they dance the QS the same. There's stuff about it here. Essentially it's the ballroom dances as we know them but danced with more freedom. And no lifts. And no mention of Fred and Ginge .