I think the overall standard of the final 3 in the final itself, was the highest ever, as supported by the marks from the judges.

Judges' marks are irrelevant.

I still think the best final 3 was Kara Tointon, Matt Baker and Pamela Stephenson in series 8. All 3 of them attained a higher standard of dance technically than anyone this year, and they missed out fewer dances as well as having to learn more dances for the final.

I would totally agree with this. All 3 were technically supreme compared to anything we have seen since.

Now there's a new thread in a few month's time. The best four finalists ever. TBH, I'd happily see Louis and Denise in the mix: along with Kara; Alesha and Jill. (There will be others, but I've had a drink-or-two and can't think straight). Bugger, that's 5 already!!!

If we ran a DWTS-style ALL-STARS, Louis and Denise would definitely be included: Controversially, the sports-person winners are not in my initial 14 (Mark Ramps. may get in when I've had time to think aout it).

Any thoughts?

Not in my list they wouldn't be! Louis wouldn't come close, and I'd probably pick Pamela Stephenson over Denise as she was better at Latin.

No-one from this year would make my allstars list, I think the dancing standard has been higher in previous series, although the competition was tigether this year. None of this year's contestants were as good technically as people have been in the past.

I think my list would be (7 men, 7 women for the sake of fairness):

Alesha Dixon
Kara Tointon
Jill Halfpenny
Pamela Stephenson
Rachel Stevens
Zoe Ball
Kelly Brook

Mark Ramprakash
Harry Judd
Matt Baker
Gethin Jones
Ricky Whittle
Colin Jackson
Tom Chambers

ALL TARTS!

Denise Lewis
Zoe Ball
Louisa Lytton
Kelly Brook
Rachel Stevens
Dr Hamela
Chelsee Healey

Julian Clary
Colin Jackson
Matt Di Angelo
Gethin Jones
Austin Healey
Ricky Nipple
Scott Maslen

(Not a huge fan of All-Stars with winners in, personally)