Quite frankly I have been very disappointed in several of the pros this year and have surprised myself by wanting a really big shake up and change of pros next year

Anton has become a send up of himself this year with even the other pros mocking him about how bad he is at Latin, why on earth would you continue to employ someone who can't even do half of the job adequately.

Robin I have never particularly liked his jazz hands style of dancing but this year he has shown how very limited he is in choreography ideas with every dance merging into the other in a frenzy of gurning and frantic activity that disguises just it is really thin on the ground in the technique

James has let his good dancer down and never deserves another contender, not only by making mistakes like going blank but also for the fact that none of his dances have had the wow factor, Denise has excellent dancing skills and I think it is a shame she was not partnered with someone who could have brought some brilliant exciting and different wow dances, with James we have had a missed opportunity.

Ola her heart just not seem in it this year and I think I would not miss her if she went.

Ditto Erin who just seems a little bored with the whole thing.

Karen I suppose she deserves another year with a more amenable celeb but what I have seen of her choreography has made me think she is a very poor substitute for Katya.

Altogether all of these could go and be replaced by new and better pros and I would not miss them though Ola would be sadly missed by the other half in this household, so James could get the joke contestants instead of Anton as he doesn't deserve a contender.

I have never been a fan of Robin or his choreography so I really wouldnt miss him if he wasnt asked back.

James - ditto

Natalie I think she shone this series, not only as a teacher but also as a great choreographer. She played to Micheals strengths in his ballroom, which was fantastic and she taught him how to dance latin - his samba was a great improvement on his cha cha

Karen hasnt shone IMO as a teacher or a choreographer and in all honestly I wouldnt miss her, I do think Nicky had potential and I dont think Karen unlocked this at all

Aliona is my favourite pro and I would miss her dreadfully if she didnt return, I love her style and I love her quirky, different choreography

The rest - I have no preference, they can stay or go!

Well then please can we have Ian back ???

I've not missed Aliona at all this year

I want to keep Natalie, Brendan, Flavia, Vincent, Erin, Pasha & Artem,

Aliona, Anton, Robin, Karen, James & Ola can go.

Bring back Katya & Ian and bring in the lovely Tristan from DWTS.

I think the only one who's really shone this year is Natalie. She's been quite simply brilliant in how much improvement she got out of Michael, and their partnership and her attitude to the whole thing were fabulous. She's been my favourite pro this year by a huge margin.



It wasn't Aliona's fault that she got injured, so there's nothing to judge her performance this year on. Similarly the issues in her personal life weren't Ola's fault, and her partner was a bit self-important, so I think she did alright all things considered.

Vincent and Flavia have had solid if unspectacular years, and it would be nice to see them both reach the final again.

James has had a fair bit of bad luck with his and Denise's injuries, but his choreography is starting to look tired. I've thought the same about Brendan's choreography this year too - he didn't seem very good at working around Victoria's limitations. But he has got a lot more important things on his mind, and in terms of his attitude is a lot more endearing now than in the past.

I've thought Anton and Erin have looked a bit fed up for years.

Pasha hasn't impressed me as much this year as he did last year, I thought he would get Kimberley to be better than she is. Artem did well with Fern but he's clearly better when he has someone like Kara. Kristina did a sterling job trying to overcome the height difference between her and Colin.

I've never rated Robin as a dancer and choreographer, and I'm thoroughly sick of the 'fun' emphasis with Lisa - it's not been funny since week 1. His limitations are becoming very clear this year.

Karen hasn't impressed me at all. Her choreography has left a lot to be desired and I thought her attitude early on was very off-putting. She's become a bit more endearing as a person but I still find her dancing messy and her choreography lacking.

Overall I wouldn't be disappointed if Anton, Erin, Robin and Karen were all axed for next year. And please bring Katya back!!!

I would argee with much of this which is a shame because Robin does seem like a lovely guy.

However I would disagree with the solid verdict on Vincent and Flavia - Flavia's been a bit mit and miss - the Halloweon tango was a great routinue but the Wembley AS didn't work and I think there were a few too many tricks and not enough dancing in last week's charleston. Vincent's VW chereography last Saturday was superb - my hubbie who is normally bored to tears by the VW absolutely loved it and it was lovely to see something different done with the VW and it seemed to suit Dani's personality really well - although perhaps it was a bit ambitious in terms of her abilities although not overly so - it's better to stretch the celeb than play it safe - it certainly makes for more interesting telly. I think the samba routine was a different take on the genre too - and quite refreshing.

A huge yes to Tristan! and fingers crossed that Katya returns. She should never have left in the first place. She had a personality and is 100x the dancer Karen is

I think the same. I think Robin is just so lovely, but don't rate him as a dancer or choreographer.

My views on the rest (of current pros):

James - dont like him personally at all - I find him intensely irritating - but I do think he choreographs some lovely dances - some of his rumbas and waltzes over the years remain my all time favourites - and he is obviously a good - but not brilliant - dancer himself - I certainly don't think he let his celeb down! The thing I DO like James for is that he choreographs a dance with proper content. Consistent.

Vincent - outstanding always for me - both as a dancer and choreographer. Always gets on with his celeb.

Anton - beautiful ballroom but his persona on Strictly is always that of teaching the seeming buffoon - he's good for the show in terms of he's the one the public know best - but I find him annoying on the show and I wouldn't like to dance with him.

Artem - my long time favourite - both as a dancer (first class - he's come up through the classic dancing stables) and choreographer - sticks within the range of the dance but adds an interesting, yet always appropriate, twist.

Pasha - outstanding dancer and choreographer and another one to have had classic training, which really shows - he is one of my top 4 after Matthew Cutler - along with Artem, Vincent, Brendan.

Brendan - fabulous dancer and choreographer - he's had some proper good 'uns on the show (Lulu *head on desk* *BANG* ) and since Kelly Brook, he hasn't had a celeb who has shown his talent. Very gracious.

Girls:

Ola : she is an absolute darling, and a correct but sexy dancer - she has though in recent years become slightly lazy in the pro dances. Earns her place though because she always gets on with her celeb - but her choreography is an absolute SHOCKER.

Erin: I think she is lovely, and a fab teacher - but her own dancing in Latin is painful - beautiful ballroom - I think she does look a little stale now on the show, sadly.

Flavia: My view is the same as yours on Flavia. I love her personally, and in her own shows, but never like her on Strictly! She's a fantastic dancer - but I am always a bit irritated by her relationships with her celebs - either distant, or girlygiggly to me! sorry is just my genuine opinion - and her choreography isn't my taste since she throws in some more modern stuff which I don't really like. But I love her as a person ! I'm happier to watch her in her own outstanding show where she is absolutely incredible.

Karen: I've seen Karen dance for quite a few years now and she is both a wonderful person, and a fearsome Latin dancer. Sadly though, she hasn't come up through the classically trained stables (Robin Windsor the same) and it does show. I didn't enjoy the choreo at the beginning but it's improving as she is learning herself. Not her fault (like Jared - remember!) that she was asked on the show - she is an absolute darling and would be gutted about the negativity. I do think she'll improve - she's started already - and hopefully she will be back next year. She is a truly lovely person - this year, she has Nicky - and sorry, but I can't stand him! He never looks at her - he doesn't get the dances - I feel sorry for her!

Natalie: outstanding both as a teacher and a dancer - her choreo is fab. Really high quality dancer. My no 1 after Nicole Cutler.

Kristina: I adore Kristina - she brings something a little different to the show - great teacher but I don't always like her choreography! First year I liked it was when she did some great stuff for Jason.

Aliona can't reply fairly, for private reasons!

I'm not sure I'd like to ditch anyone - I know I love the show for the dancing and that is what I look for primarily - but some of the others are 'entertaining' and that is the balance of the show.

So I'd probably not ditch anyone this year.

Bring back Katya!

Ola or Erin could get the chop.

Might as well get rid of Anton and bring back Ian whilst we're at it.

I don't like James, but he's good entertainment, so can stay.

I don't understand how the likes of Erin, who I agree does seem suddenly very stale on the show, and Anton (ironically enough, her professional partner) have survived when the fabulous Ian and Matthew Cutler were dumped.

Madness.... Two fabulous dancers..... Matt and Alesha's performances were among the best ever on Strictly.

They surely have to bring these two back, and get rid of the dead wood.

Now Alesha has gone from the judges there is no logical reason not to have Matt back. Whether he would is an entirely different matter.

There definitely needs to be some shake up of the professionals (Anton & Erin really need to go). Surely they might even find some new home grown talent instead.

I think Karen deserves a little more credit.

Not only is Nicky (at worst) a quarter-finalist and the male runner-up this year, he's also the most improved celeb of the series for my £$€. Not many would have predicted that outcome after their first couple of dances.

Katya - oh god no!! - Couldn't stand her. Fake, crappy choreo and loved herself sooo much.

Erin and Anton only seem to be there to be given the duds.

Ola and James are ok but I'm not over keen on him. He can be a bit of a cock

Bring back Ian! Also, what do you think are our chances of signing Derek Hough?

I agree with all those.

Several looking tired and fed up.

James' choreography limitations (and by that I mean lack of variety and creativity - most ballroom very similar, Latin meh) mean he needs a completely different challenge next year (if he is still here) - someone like Nancy!

Ola - tired, lacking interest. Sorry she had personal issues but Im not sure her heart is still in it.

Brendan - Id like to see him again possibly being paired with someone who isnt a headcase or just plain loopy.

Robin - his limitations in choreography as well as the general fun fun fun and gurny stuff have turned me off him. And believing the hype about "our public expects" ... final turn off. Sorry but wouldn't miss him next year if he is not back.

Kristina - Tried hard to cope with the difference in height. Not sure she and Colin were that compatible in many other ways either. I thought some of her choreography was ok and some a little desperate. She deserves another go next year but would like to see her tackle training a more challenging dancer again.

Anton and Erin have looked a little fed up. Anton - well it was just the normal thing from him. Adequate ballroom but not fab, and crap to no Latin (which is a little disapointing because I thought it looked like Jerry would have been better if she had been pushed a little). Would give another go to Erin if she would do it but without Anton, but I doubt that would happen, also as a reward for having to put up with Richard the groper.

Ive also been a little surprised that Pasha hasn't got more out of Kimberley. He does deserve to stay but need some new ideas at times.

Karen - I really didnt take to her at first and Im not sure she has grown on my all that much since then. Her attitude at the start (not listening about the lift etc) and general inability to sort out some of Nicky's obvious faults and much of her choreography content hasn't improved the situation. She does perhaps deserve another go next year - but I do think she was a very poor replacement for Katya. I havent particularly liked her dancing in the pro dances either ... and the tongue sticking out and little finger (pinky) wave is just plain annoying.


In my opinion, Natalie deserves the ringer celeb next year as I would like to see her win (if it cant be Flav ).

And yes Id have Ian and Katya back.

Maybe that's why her partnership with Mr Henson worked so well!

I had her down merely as very feisty, but I wouldn't blame her if she did love herself as she was gorgeous!

Oh yes please. Why did they ever let him go?

Sort of agree with the opening poster, although not about James. I like me a bit of bad boy, although he's mellowing.
Give Brucie's job to Anton, get rid of Robin and Karen who I haven't warmed to in the slightest and bring back Brian Fortuna. I really enjoyed his stint on Strictly.

As long as they keep Flavia and Vincent, Aliona, Natalie, who seems an amazing teacher, Brendan and James, then I'm not fussed whether the others stay or go.


Ditto to this too( minus the James bit). Seems we're pretty much in agreement. You know, I'd totally forgotten about Katya. She cant have made that much of an impression on me.

No way, that title goes to Michael! Nicky's posture is really no better than it was week 1!

It's open to debate of course but what is not is that Nicky's still in the competition whereas Michael's not.

Lisa is the least improved but still in, so that proves nothing.

That bears no relevance whatsoever on who improved the most.

I'm not claiming it proves anything.

I'd say it bears more relevance than your opinion or my opinion.

From a standing start up to the point of leaving Michael had improved the most IMHO (lowest score 15 to a highest of 36). By the same token Lisa & Denise have improved the least. Denise started well and has continued in much the same way. Lisa started with a big entertainment value but has not improved in technique.

Nicky however has gone from a lowest score of 17 to a highest of 36 so slightly less of a jump than Michael and with more scores around the 30 mark for more weeks)

If you want to believe the public and judges vote for the most improved, then fair enough. I'm much more cynical.


Exactly.

That's not unreasonable but the argument that Nicky has improved most is every bit as strong and certainly cannot be dismissed out of hand. Particularly taking into account what happened last Saturday.

Just in terms of the judges' leaderboard, Nicky started well below Michael and ended up with a higher average score.