Yes, she always looks very classy both in dress and make up. I can't remember her putting a foot wrong so far .

Anyone is entitled to an opinion. I think, however, that the clothes they wear are more down to the wardrobe masters, not their personal choices.

As for the way Alesha spoke, no it was not "just FINE" -- it was horrible and it made more than a few people cringe. The sad thing is that Alesha was told about it but did nothing to improve herself. It's not a matter of pleasing a few people on here; it's a matter of presenting oneself in the best light. She came across as very low-class strictly from her speech. She also should not have been a judge as she only had one go at doing ballroom dancing, and that was as a contestant, not a dancer, whereas Darcy has had a lifetime of many kinds of dance. She knows what's she's talking about. That's refreshing.

If she was told about it and did nothing to change, then I'm guessing she simply didn't want to alter herself to appeal to a bunch of snobs who looked down on her for her grammar issues. Her speech problems aren't even bad, so I'm glad she didn't bother fixing it. If you think it made her seem low-class, then at least she was making the show more accessible.

Darcey is a goddess. I can even overlook the 8s for Lisa and Kimbot, (Kimbot should've been more.) Just. But Len is a.................tit.

Darcy is a class act and as others have said gives worthwhile and expert advice. I like her.

Yes he was, telling her not to interupt as she'd had her turn, conveniently forgetting how he kept butting in when Craig was citiquing Louise last week.

I agree - I wasn't keen when Darcey was announced as the new judge, but I think she is brilliant and always seems to find something to help the dancers in her critique.

I really like her.

Not a question of "didn't always speak properly". Alesha can't utter a single sentence in grammatically correct English.

It is an interesting reflection of Britain's priorities that Alesha spent months learning to dance and being paid to do so by the BBC and was applauded for it when she could have spent the time learning to speak English.

Very strange dumbed down culture we have become where call centre workers in Mumbai and Manila speak better English than the British natives.

Learning English Strictly?

Outright bollocks.

Think the bosses have told her as the series has gone on to induce more constructive talk which is something I support and on average she is making more sense with her marking and not giving a 10 out for a meaningless reason which Alesha did sometimes. However I am no Alesha basher and at least she perceivered with the job, even when she found it difficult.

What hope is there for our children if speaking with appalling grammar is seen as making a show "more accessible"!! Talk about everything coming down to the lowest common denominator.

No wonder young people are leaving school/university unable to write in complete comprehensible sentences.

Regional accents are fab - but there is no excuse on the national tv channel for poor grammar. A large number of people (rightly IMO) criticised Darcey for her annoying "yah" habit. As she is an intelligent woman, Darcey immediately got to grips with the problem and her delivery is now much better. Pity Alesha couldn't/wouldn't accept and act on similar criticism. She might have opened many more doors for herself in a presenting role that now (I hope) will remain forever shut to her.

PS - I really like Darcey and think she's a million times better than Alesha or Arlene. Don't always agree with her though!

I didn't even notice Darcey "swinging her foot" (how very dare she?)

Darcey is beautiful, classy, intelligent, knowledgeable and always gives constructive advice. What's not to like?

I thought Len was rude on Saturday but he does have the odd grumpy moment. I'm sure Darcey didn't take it personally.

For a start, how do you know she was addressed about her manner of speech Moreover, your remarks pertaining to her coming accross as "Very low class" is dowright rude not to say, reeking of snobbery. Not nice comments at all in my opinion.

Darcey swings her foot?!? Her foot on the end of her leg? Her very own foot that belongs to her? That foot? OMFG let me get onto points of view about that straight away.

(What is going on with these ridiculous threads?)

Excellent post. Alesha was a disgrace. She could have taken note, improved her speech but couldn't be bothered.

Why should she She was retained for her who she was, why would the producers want to change her. I don't get it nor do I get why she is called a disgrace because of the way she speaks..mind boggling.

I'm going off Craig. Silly marking and comments.

Darcy is very classy, seems to be an extremely nice person and is probably the most qualified of all the judges to comment on the technicalities of dance.

I also think Len sees her as a threat and if you watch his facial expressions sometimes when she is talking, he appears to be denigrating her comments, or impatient for her to finish.

I noticed none of such things. I don't pay attention unless they decided to come out naked or do a Björk like tearing up a pic of the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

What a strange thing to say, Darcy is very classy.

Darcey may be classy, but her integritiy will dwindle the longer she plays along with the nonsense that this show has become.

Blimey, what a load of conjecture and speculation! No-one knows what the producers may or may not have said to Darcey and frankly, it's no-one's business. Everyone is entitled to their view, of course, but c'mon on - leave the girl alone!

Under such intense scrutiny, how would you perform ?

And, at the end of the day, it's just telly.

Another vote for Darcey, who's not only the best female judge by miles but is, IMO, the best judge overall at the minute. I like Craig a lot and think he gives balanced feedback instead of just gushing alliteration, but Darcey does too, and her marking isn't as bizarre as Craig's.
I didn't mind the way Alesha spoke and thought she came across as a warm and likeable person, but I do think she was promoted beyond her ability. Darcey really understands dance and it shows.

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Gawd - all those transgressions!

First it was her 'yah', then her nose was a funny shape and she had NEVAH been to Penge, worn turquoise eye shadow and green sequins and danced with Wayne/Keef or Trev - so therefore could not understand ballroom'

And of course she's 'posh' which is unforgivable. And classy OMG.

Jeez. Oh, how those with 'issues' of their own expose themselves so horrifically when they seek to trash a perfectly nice and rather brilliant former ballet dancer who has, for reasons of her own, decided to take part in a faintly down market dance show. They're lucky they got her! I mean, she can do complete sentences and all.

Happily Darcey has a brilliant sense of humour and knows who she is, so she will probably find all the squawking hilarious!

Frankly, if you can survive ballet school (and many of us have) you can handle any sh1t anyone throws at you!