Wow, didn't realise it was that old, it's almost as old as me. A nice routine to have tucked in your back pocket and then whipped out at an appropriate occasion.

It would be great to see them train longer and be more skilled. They need to do something about the routines though because, for me, they've lost the wow factor because we have seen all the lifts, tricks, headbangers etc before and it's just not exciting. I think that's why I enjoyed Matt's routine this week and also the Riverdance routine that Sam did because they were a bit different. I love the show and I love T&D so I hope they can pull something out of the bag to spice up the show again.

Agreed but even if they just tried to incorporate a small part of the dance and/or the theme of the dance it might liven things up or at least be something fresh.

Its not happening because most of the people on SCD can't dance the steps and even fewer can act well. if you add skating to the mix for DOi it will just look silly.

I don't think there's a problem with training time. They start months before now and its clear if you watch the VTs that people already have some skills we will see in later weeks. On the other hand, people like Joe and Gemma are still turning up unable to do anything so they may need to look at something there.

What they need are some more routines with some wow factor and some that are more artistic. They do have the option of going where SCD went for 2011 , but then retreated from in 2012 - upping the show effort with more props, make up, characterisation and themed weeks. That would give the shows some shape - film music week, musicals week, 70s week, current pop week, romance week, classical music week..........It might cost more, many people couldn't do it, and there might be rights issues, but it would look more entertaining. The problem is Robin has been trying to push the show in the opposite direction towards more technical skills and Jason in his current mode wasn't marking entertainment value properly till this week.. There's also more scope in skills weeks - which bring a can they or can't they element - but they seem to have blown that a bit this series with Beth already showing off that she can spin and jump.

Even the simplest of the pattern dances requires the skater to be able to actually skate and not just be facilitated by their pro partner. I've yet to see many of them do so much as a swing roll with a sustained edge. Holding an edge on a curve on one foot is not as easy as it might appear. With a bit more practice Beth might manage it and probably Ray from the earlier series but other than that not much hope. Think the producers latched on to the fact that the only way to produce a wow factor was to have the lifts in it which are facilitated by the pros who can make the celebs look good. Beyond the most basic dances they'd also have to be able to make clean turns on one foot and again Beth is really the only one I have seen do a decent turn with a recognisable held entry and exit edge. Unless they only get ex gymnasts or hockey skaters or roller bladers on in future they are probably at the limit of what they can achieve without taking up years of the celebs time.

The compulsory and set pattern dances of old provided structure and uniformity. There wasn't IIRC a huge need to emote.

In terms of training it could be that they don't need to start significantly sooner, but I don't know how many hours per week they do, particularly in the early stages?

Hmmm, looks like we are suck with the lifts then. It's a shame because I would love DOI to have a Strictly style renaissance.

But should we expect the level of competence in DOI that a competitive skater might produce after years of focused use of edge training? Your average viewer is unlikely to spot an exceptional use of edge even if any DOI contestant did it. They might notice how much better the resultant movement looks overall, but any who have watched competitive skating will know that already without all of them necessarily realising the cause.

Surely we can have the spirit of competition without necessarily the letter?

As long as they have 'joke' celebs on this show, the ratings will continue to fall. The same is happening with x factor.

Perhaps they are more concerned about voting and income generation. Those labelled "Joke" contestants often seem to do well in the vote.

This is very true. It's interesting how the ratings only started to tumble after Holly left.I'm not saying that its the only reason it happened because I don't think that it is, but it can't have helped. It's always risky when long running shows bring in new presenters and that's why it's important they they get it right.

If this was the case, the Voice would also have rated significantly well when she hosted the live shows but they also fell. I think a show has to offer something to keep people entertained. Unfortunately DOI has become very repetitive and poor Torvill and Dean look exhausted. Even the routine on Sunday was pre-recorded.

Holly looked a bit uncomfortable on The Voice whereas on DOI she seemed completely relaxed and just seemed like herself. She also made her name through presenting DOI and generated a lot of press interest for the show.

I think its only a small factor but I do think its a much bigger issue than people realise, but you also need to remember that The Voice live shows were poorly produced whereas DOI has always had great production values.

Oh come on people Holly was hopeless on DOI. Well she was mediocre but it is Philip's show. He presents about 80% of it. Unlike This Morning there was/is no presenting partnership on DOI. Same goes now with Christine. So stop going on about the good old days of Holly. Apart from wearing interesting frocks - there was nothing great about her on that show.

I personally would ditch Schofield and give the entire gig to Kate Thornton

I agree it's time to ditch Phil but I don't think Kate would have enough of a personality to carry the show; I couldn't see The X Factor being the success it was with her in the role instead of Dermot.

I think a duo like Mel Gledroyc and Sue Perkins would be an interesting move; two presenters who can add humour to situations when required rather than the show being played with either a straight bat or forced comedy.

What about Baddeil and Skinner then if it is a comedy act

I have only watched bits of the last few series'.

This one is awful due to:

the return of Jason - Louie was much more fun and constructive

too many ad breaks

the entire panel is dull especially Robin

Philip is too settled and so comes across as smug

Christine is no Holly

It needs a complete new panel and new hosts next year. I'd have Katerina as head judge with Daniel W, Louie and Emma Bunton.

T&D are the core so must stay.

I would have Karen Kresge ahead of Bunton - I don't really think she is relevant to the programme

For some reason I can't see them presenting Dancing On Ice; not sure why!

It would at least by funny. I am sure Baddeil could out-smart Jason

I wasn't going to watch this series as I was disappointed at Jason's return. I loved the Louie, katarina and robin trio last year. My family watch though so I have kept with it for now. I have quite enjoyed it so far.

A few things that's put me off have been Jason's return as mentioned and the constant adverts. I think a lot of people might be recording and watching later so they can speed through the ads.

Another way I think it could be improved is if we got to know the pros a bit more. In strictly everyone has their favourite professional where as in DOI I can only name a couple of them and we don't know much about them.

Agree with most of this, I did prefer Holly but Christine is ok. Emma Bunton was a waste of space imo. Robin is dull. I love Louie, even if he is OTT.

Countryfile is informative entertaining and enjoyable. Dancing on Ice is full of overpaid "stars" in the loosest form of the word who have joined to boost their income, egos and tv coverage. Time to end what used to be a fairly decent show. (not the same without Holly and her stunning fancy frocks)

That was brilliant While watching a few other clips I came across this one with Rowan Atkinson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4Z7...ture=endscreen

Just couldnt stop laughing. Even he is better than Joe IMO.