It mystifies me too Pippa, Antons dancing talents and skills are very wide ranging and as "The Ballroom King" many dancers look to and take inspiration from Anton at every oppertunity.

I certainly agree that Anton and Erin look dated when compared to today's dancers. Nevertheless, as far as Ballroom is concerned this statement is factually incorrect (I agree Vincent and Flavia did more overall because they were 10 dancers, but this thread is discussing ballroom)

Comparison of placings on dancesportinfo.net . Anton and Erin first placing number, Vincent and Flavia second placing number.
4 7 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Competition 2004 England - Blackpool Professional Waltz 20 Nov 2004
4 7 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Competition 2004 England - Blackpool Professional Foxtrot 20 Nov 2004
4 6 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Competition 2004 England - Blackpool Professional Quickstep 20 Nov 2004
4 5 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Competition 2004 England - Blackpool Professional Viennese Waltz 20 Nov 2004
1 3 Professional Ballroom IDTA Classic Championship England - Southampton Professional Ballroom 30 Nov 2003
5 12 Professional Ballroom British Closed Championship England - Blackpool Professional Standard 22 Nov 2003
4 29 Professional Ballroom The International Championships England - Brentwood/London Professional Rising Star Standard 08 Oct 2003
12 48 Professional Ballroom Celtic Classic 2003 Ireland - Tralee Irish Open Professional Standard 23 Feb 2003
39 61 Professional Ballroom UK Open 2003 England - Bournemouth Professional Standard 22 Jan 2003
6 25 Professional Ballroom UK Open 2003 England - Bournemouth Professional Rising Star Standard 21 Jan 2003
3 6 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Championships England - Blackpool British National Professional Modern 23 Nov 2002
3 6 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Championships England - Blackpool British National Professional Modern - Waltz 23 Nov 2002
3 12 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Championships England - Blackpool British National Professional Modern - Foxtrot 23 Nov 2002
3 5 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Championships England - Blackpool British National Professional Modern - Tango 23 Nov 2002
3 5 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Championships England - Blackpool British National Professional Modern - Quickstep 23 Nov 2002
4 6 Professional Ballroom British National Dance Championships England - Blackpool British National Professional Modern - Vienese Wal 23 Nov 2002
17 46 Amateur Ballroom British Open 2001 England - Blackpool Amateur Standard 25 May 2001
4 12 Amateur Ballroom EADA England - Watford National Selection 07 May 2001
25 47 Amateur Ballroom British Open 2000 England - Blackpool Amateur Standard 26 May 2000
14 12 Amateur Ballroom IDSF International Open Standard England - London IDSF International Open Standard 26 Sep 1999
26 65 Amateur Ballroom British Open 1999 England - Blackpool Amateur Standard

I don't understand what you mean by this. The public don't decide which pros they want on the show, that's down to the producers, obviously. Ian was extremely popular, and is much missed, so if the public did get their way, I think Ian would still be in Strictly right now.

Well said.

It still puzzles me why Ian was dropped, especially as a pairing he suited Natalie more than Brendan does.

Ian would have been an ideal partner for Rebecca Addlington, but they never included her in the line up

I concur with those commenting about Ian. Why they chose to ditch him and keep Anton who's self-centred and much less talented is beyond me. Rewatching some of Ian's SCD dances on YouTube make me realise how versatile he was as a dancer. Ballroom was his speciality but his latin dances were great and he could really move some. I miss him even now.

Ian would have been a great partner for Victoria Pendleton.

Ian would have been a great teacher for her but I'm not sure he'd have suited her as a partner as he's quite a bit taller than her - i think from memory she's 5ft 5 and some posters thought Brendan was too tall for her although I didn't agree, I just thought they were mismatched in personality.

I think Pasha may have been a good partner for Victoria - a good match in height and very patient and nurturing teacher, but just feel that last year may not have been the best time for her personally to do strictly - I think she was physically and emotionally drained from the Olympics.

My thoughts exactly. Although Anton obviously knows ballroom well, he has a stiff, slick style whereas Brendan, who is nominally a latin specialist, is far more expressive - a true 10-dance man.

I wonder if many people in the SCD forum have seen this clip which I put up. Anton danced with Lesley in SCD and was in her stage show for a while. He comes in at the end.

Lesley Garrett and Anton Du Beke - He was Beautiful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zCrH0Q5H1g

Ian Waite is a lightwaite.

It was fabulous to see Anton in his rightful place as the lead star dancer in the opening group pro dance on the show last night, he is the best current ballroom dancer on the show after all, I'm very much looking forward to seeing Anton being able to showcase his wide ranging dancing skills on the show this series, other pro's will no doubt be looking and learning from Anton.

I do enjoy Anton and Erin's ballroom dances, the two of them together are so graceful. But all round Ian was a better dancer, think his waltz in particular. Why on earth he was dropped I am still puzzled, was it just a height issue??

I must admit I'm not sure why he was dropped, I loved Anton with Erin too, is it true that Iveta is going to be Anton's dance partner on Strictly Come Dancing now?

His Tango last night was very ropey- needed way more content than Anton actually included.

I find it hard to see how you can say that when Anton was praised by the judges for the content that he included in their dance routine.

He was praised for having someone he could actually dance with and the content seemed to suit and challenge Fiona who had a few stumbles. Seemed to suit week 1well. On to next weeks Latin!

I think this will definitely be anton's final year - part of me thinks they were going to send him off with Erin, but seeing as he is such a well -known figure they wanted to give him more of a contender, as a 'one last hurrah' kind of thing.

Anton's a lovely guy I'm sure and he's done the programme proud but please, in today's ballroom competitive world he would be swamped by younger,athletic dancers from all corners of the world.
Take a look at some current videos on the WDSF website. Dancing has moved on since Anton, Vincent and Flavia, Ian, Brendan et all. The top English professional in the world currently is Kevin Clifton's sister Joanne. World no.1 for quite a time last year and just won the World Dancesport Games in Taiwan. I've no idea how to put on a link, perhaps someone will help, but search for Paolo Bosco and Joanne Clifton on YouTube. You'll see the difference.Recruit for next year?Awesome.

I'm sure Anton will rise to the challenge of a latin next week, and will coach Fiona to perfection.

They didn't send Erin off, she chose to leave. Why should that mean automatic dismissal for their professional partner if they want to stay?!

I haven't watched anything of Joanne but I'm not particularly fond of Kevin's style of dancing tbh. I've thought he was a bit too frantic in any of the SCD dances I have seen him in so far. He seems a lovely guy and while his jive with Susanna was enjoyable the other night, he totally outdanced her which hopefully will be something he will reign in a bit in the weeks to come.... Give me Vincent and Flavia over him anyday

Anton showing us yet again that he's still the No 1 in the ballroom in that amazing opening show dance on the results show tonight.

I cant warm to Anton so do tend to miss anything good he does. I really went off him a few years.

Come back to the fold, you know it makes sense.

Sir Anton and his good Lady Fiona Waltz imperiously into next week. As we all saw last week Anton really is the alpha-male.