I'm liking Ian Waite and Karen Hardy's input, and I watch nearly every episode, but I groan with irritation and leave the room when certain repetitive items come up- especially the "comic" VT from the training clips eg, "Did you know you say "Ok" a lot?" and then show the celeb saying "Ok" 11 times etc etc - and the highly repetitive questions like "Do you feel the atmosphere is getting more tense?".
I'd love Zoe to ask the pro how exactly they go about coming up with the choreography and how exactly they teach the celeb to do certain steps.
I also reckon they could take some of the time-pressure off the couples still competing by not dragging them into the studio, and instead talk to pro's that have been voted off to talk in detail about their dances. We'd still see the competing couples when the cameras go to the practice sessions. Maybe they could put questions from the public to the dancers during those moments- I think there's a genuine thirst for real information about dancing that can be balanced with the lighter fluff that some of the audience like.
I also think ITT wasted a golden opportunity to talk to Ben Cohen about his anti-bullying charity, but maybe they thought that would have given him an unfair advantage in winning the public's admiration.

I just want a behind the scenes section of the Pro dances. I'd like to see them all rehearsing and how they're like as a pro group away from their celebs.

And longer couple interviews (if we cut out the silly fillers).

Other than that I don't mind most of it.

Absolutely agree. I only ever watch the dancey bits and technical commentaries. Does anyone really love the chat element? Apart from the paid whoopers in the studio? Zoe puts on a peppy show, but her non-stop comedy asides and habit of talking over people drowns out any insights that might actually be interesting. Also, Z, you don't have to pick up on every innuendo...

I'd like to see a pro-group rehearsal too- nice idea.
I agree that the couples interviews are rather short and must be an irritating palaver for them when they'd rather be either practising, working or with their families, but I'd only want them longer if Zoe asked more interesting questions more often; when it was announced that she'd be replacing Claudia Winkleman, I thought "Ah well- she's not as amusing as Claudia but at least as a former contestant she'll be able to ask useful questions that Claudia couldn't" Alas- no.

Can't see any changes being made. The BBC will want to keep this "low budget" and at the same time attract more viewers than those just interested in dance.
Without all the "nonsense" I think the ratings would suffer.

Sorry folks but I a bit fed up of Zoe. I liked her for a bit but this Over exuberant faux jollity is beginning to wear thin. I don't need someone to tell me what is exciting and brilliant and fabulous. I am grown up and can decide for myself. I feel like I have slipped through the arched window back and am watching her Dad on playschool again.

I do like knowing which evening Karen and Ian are on each week and I like the "basic steps" feature. There have been a few good moments in the couples interviews, Ola saying they did not choose the cowboy theme and Artem's opinions on all the scores of 10, but I would like more probing, less formulaic questions. I would also like to see how a new dance is introduced to the celebrity on a Monday morning.

It Takes Two seems fine to me, I enjoy all the glitz.

I think Zoe is great but more variety would be great. I do other things when the 'guess who' or that wedding couple are on.

Hmm.... The thread title gets me nodding. Used to be unmissable for us but now, even though it's still on our planner, we watch the Monday and Wednesday episodes only. Dip in and out of the rest.

Less 'How much does the public support mean to you?'....' How hard are you training? '

For the actual amount of dance related content included, this programme could manage with three shows a week.


Presently it's really a thinly disguised "schedule filler."

Monday for the couple voted out and the couple saved.

Maybe a show on Wednesday to show how the training is coming.

Friday for anything else and a bit of a preview.
I find the Friday panel a waste of time.
Do I care what people with little connection to the programme think about it?

I think that they should bring dear Russell back, he was great on It Takes Two.

Oh no please no more Russell leave him gazing at his navel I mean the stars.

More features like the one on the shoes being made. I really got into Sewing Bee this year and would love to see a dress being made.

I love the back-stage stuff best, I'd love to see the band doing a whole show number - especially now that we don't even get a glimpse of them on the main show.

Ian Waite is too camp, and Zoe overdoes the clappy seal impressions.

Certainly agree with that.



Yes the shoes feature was interesting. There's too much "opinion" on this show, but then that's cheap to produce. Well, a lot cheaper than sending a few camera teams "here, there and everywhere."

Totally agree, it has become too fake and over the top.

I'd like to see all the analysis, information around the show and longer interviews already mentioned.

I'd love them to actually ask some in depth questions about how they choreograph than being so formulaic.

I enjoyed the shoes VT too. More please.

I love Ian but I find his section has become too much about how much Zoe loves him, how her huge high heels are too high to dance with him and 'his wand'.

1) ditch the utterly ridiculous time wasting VT's ie - the dog prediciting who will be top of the leader board - who cares, its a dog, it cant predict anything, guess the celeb, the wedding segment, Brunos whatever the heck it was etc etc
2) Im not that fussed on Karens segment tbh - i dont really care what she thinks about the dances after the celebs have performed them
3) whilst I love Ians Wednsday Warm Up I am finding Zoe becoming increasing annoying during this part of the show - ditch her and just have Ian - or make Zoe less flappy, idiotic and annoying

What I would add
1) pro dance training - I would LOVE to see the pros in rehearsals, I think it would be amazing to see how they do it, who chorographs what dance etc
2) I would love a band feature and a singer feature, get them on the show, let us know how they prepare for each live show, how long to the rehearse for etc etc
3) more Vicky Gill - behind the scenes, preperation before Strictly even starts, I love Vicky but the tiny segment she gets each week isnt enough IMO

I think they could get a good 5 minutes from a 'strictly in other countries' slot where they show a dance highlight from one of the sister shows abroad.

Agreed. Claudia was much better just being herself. I'm not sure who Zoe is trying to be but it's grating.

replace Zoe Ball with Lisa Riley

what a fabulous idea this is.......I just hope they dont show the Italian version it's terrible

It's a good idea, but supposing some look better than the BBC's?

They wouldn't like that, so you won't be seeing it.

In most places we would have to be told just who the celebrity was. So at a disadvantage already.

There's that, but the style of presentation might raise a bit of interest.