My first message for about 2 years- I'd gotten lazy!

I gather we are definitely having Alijaz, KFG and Anya back next year (if they wish to come back) after all 3 doing really well with their partners this year.

However, what about Janette? I know there are arguments that Flavia had a bad first series (with tarby) where we didn't get to see her teaching credentials as did aliona with rav wilding. Saying that, they both managed to stand out in pro dances of those series and warranted a return.

Can't really say I've particularly noticed Janette and I saw she isn't doing the tour either? Or am I misinformed?

I think Anya's really boring and much prefer Janette.

Although I was always secretly hoping Abbey would run off with Aljaz... they look so perfect together and Abbey deserves better than cheating Peter Crouch!

See, I just don't 'get' KFG and Alijaz. They certainly don't stand out in the pro dances. Pretty boring really.

Put a paper bag over all the male pro dancers and which two can you immediately recognise by their dancing alone? For me it's artem and Brendan.

I can't see any of them not being asked back to be honest - the only one who didn't make that big an impact and went out early was Janette, but unlike her spiritual predecessors Hayley Holt and Jared, she has the fact that her partner Aljaz is almost definitely going to be asked back on her side; and they probably come as a 'pair' now - like the Jordans and the Clifton/Hauers. The only professional routine where Janette stood out for me was the Fame routine (where she was front and centre), but I've had difficulty telling the female professionals apart in most of the group routines this series (except Aliona ironically), but that's as much to do with the dance routine, partner swapping, make up and costumes as anything else.

One bad series isn't necessarily cause to ditch a professional because it depends who they're with as much as their ability as a dancer and choreographer (as Flavia and Aliona have both proven).

Kevin seems to be very popular, Aljaz is defencing champion, Anya was top-finisher of the females (and in the absence of Natalie was, for me, the best choreographer of the females) and Iveta has done well enough merging comedy with actual dance content (and was well enough received last year despite despatching both her partners on the first attempt with either of them) to warrant being asked back.

I wouldn't be surprised if we saw the same line-up plus Natalie next year - so 16 couples - unless some choose to leave. Having said that, if they do find themselves looking for replacement professionals I'd love to see them looking back and seeing if any previous ones would like to return - Ian, Katya, Matthew, Karen, Flavia (this Christmas), Camilla and Shem from the troupe have all retained links with the show since they stopped dancing on it. DWTS has this more fluid approach to the professional where they can rotate in and out - and didn't Nicole Cutler do the same back in the early days?

I'm not a big Janette supporter in case it comes across that way but I think she's got to be given a chance like everyone else. I like looking at other people's reactions when they're up on Tessanine and Janette always looks happy and supportive. I do get annoyed that she seems to be Jason Gilkison's pet dancer in the pro numbers but that's not really her fault.I think another year would show what they're all made of with different celebs. As for the tour I really don't understand why she's not included when both her partner and pro partner are doing it ,

I was thinking they might just invite everyone back, but now the ratings have slid for the end of the series, they might cut the weeks back to a less fatiguing number, in which case I would imagine Janette would be first in line for the boot, unless the Jordans stop crying wolf and finally actually leave.

Or they might just blame it on the lack of beefcake and make next year the YEAR OF THE MAN.

I'd happily bring Vincent and Flavia back together with Natalie Lowe and would be equally happy if they got rid of the Jordans and Jeanette. However, as a previous post said, It's almost certain that Alijaz will be back, in which case he'll bring Manrara with him. I'm thinking Aliona won't be back and hopefully Natalie will take her place then.

I do think they made a mistake skewing the line-up to get a female winner. Better to get an equal line-up of males and females than to deliberately put out a weak male (or female) line-up to get a winner of the sex they want. Hopefully, next year, they'll have a more balanced line-up, which will help to bring out the best in both male and female pros.

Janette is a job lot with Alijaz you won't get one without the other.

I think Karen has outstayed her welcome, not a face i find pleasant to look at!!

No nor me!.... i didn't like her last year and i certainly don't like her this year after her cutting remark to Ola!....

I'm afraid that is a trait with me!... if someone upsets me i find it very hard to forgive and move past it!......

I'm sorry, did she personally offend you the same day she allegedly did an, I'm sure, entirely unprovoked attack on the shy, retiring Ola? The woman has no shame as to personally offend people to the point where they can't ~forgive her. Good job someone had the good sense to leak the entirely fair and balanced version of events to the papers so we would all know what a tyrant she is, with her oh so offensive face and aggressive demeanor.

Away from that ridiculousness, I've actually enjoyed the pro lineup this year so wouldn't mind it staying largely unchanged. I guess a lot depends on whether Vincent & Flavia want back.

[quote=shrinkingviolet;70432141]I'm sorry, did she personally offend you the same day she allegedly did an, I'm sure, entirely unprovoked attack on the shy, retiring Ola? The woman has no shame as to personally offend people to the point where they can't ~forgive her. Good job someone had the good sense to leak the entirely fair and balanced version of events to the papers so we would all know what a tyrant she is, with her oh so offensive face and aggressive demeanor.

My thoughts exactly!
Can I just add I am so glad Ola's equally shy and retiring husband did not start a Twitter campaign against Karen!

My pick for the professionals next series would be:

Men
Anton (Part of the furniture)
Aljaz (Defending champ a dead cert to be back and loved his choreography)
Brendan
Shem Jacobs (Part of the dance troupe and still part of the show, give him a chance to shine I think he could be great)
Artem
Pasha
Kevin (Not a fan he showcases himself rather than his partner but I believe he is hugely popular)

Which would mean losing Robin and James, Robin I can't see returning after that dreadful VW 'tablegate' and I think its just time the Jordans moved on.

Women:
Iveta (Fantastic innovative choreography, give her a good'un next series to see what her talents would bring to a gifted celeb)
Natalie (For me the best professional)
Anya (Awesome first year and last female pro standing)
Jeanette (Not a massive fan but can't see her not returning as her and Aljaz seem to come as a pair and there is a need for a shorter female pro)
Karen (Likewise with Jeanette not a fan but comes as a pair with Kevin)
Kristina (Think she is well liked)
And a new female professional

Everyone deserves at least two goes. Can't tell much from one partnership

The ratings have been on a (very slow) decline since Series 8 anyway. I'm not sure if it's a gender balance thing this year or just that they didn't have the big talking point of a (*shudders*) Widdy or the Olympians. I do also think it's very possible that it just went on too long. Series 6 and 7 (all 14 weeks of them) show the same thing - they constantly rated stronger than the series preceding them, until the very end, when ratings for both fell off the pace and went back to average (by Strictly standards of the time).

I would imagine they'll continue on a slow leak until Bruce retires after the next series or the one after, at which point we'll get another BIG RELAUNCH.

To invite everyone back they'd need to up the contestants to 16. I don't know that we'll get a major overhaul but I wouldn't be surprised if they pared it back to 14 for a more punchy series and that would necessarily mean two pros wouldn't be a part of the series (obligatory injuries aside).

Out of the girls, I probably wouldn't mind much seeing Karen, Janette, Kristina or even Ola going. Out of the guys... eh, conflicted.

I want artem back next year I don't think I would watch it next year if artem is not back. I would also like the Jordan's back alongside robin and natalie Lowe. Then bring in some new pros I'd be happy not to see any of the others come back. I think they need to freshen it up again this year they brought in some average pros in my eyes. Artem is the best pro there has ever been on strictly and I think he is amazing and so insperational. I want natalie back because she is a great female pro I wonder who she would of been partnered with If she wasn't injured this year.

I feel (no evidence,) that some of the long termers will not return next year. James, Ola, maybe even Brendan may decide it's time to move on.

As Kevin's sister Jo has just publicly retired from competition, and appeared as an extra dancer on musicals week and a stand in on two (?) pro dances this series, I think there are very good indicators that she will join the cast next year. Especially as they tried and failed to secure Emma Slater (another female British pro) this year.

Hope Natalie Lowe gets back in the main line up next year.

I think people are being a bit harsh on janette we've hardly seen what she can do cause she was partnered with julian. Plus I love how she's dealt with abbey constantly hugging and flirting with her partner. I want her to be back next year and hopefully partnered with someone good! I love anya to come back and I think the Jordan's have had their day.

I don't think we need any new british pros I like the foreign ones best especially artem it doesn't bother me that he isn't English I like that he is from Russia. He needs to be partnered with another young one next year lets hope that person is married then there won't be any romance rumours hopefully.

Can we lose him? A nice arse is not enough for me to want him back.

Him and Jeanette Can take the Jordan's with then.

I'd hope to see Anya back, I loved her. Hopefully Natalie and Erin are back next year.

I would happily see the Jordan's get the boot. Anton isn't needed Robin seems to be heir apparent for the 'older lady' spot.

Natalie Lowe has been sadly missed.

Pasha is sweet but very off his game this series I thought but don't want him yo go

Apart from that the only ones I definately want back are. Kevin, Iveta, Artem & Anya

I'm all in favour of the pro cast being shaken up on a regular basis but after so many changes this year I say keep changes to a minimum next year.

I'd like to see all 5 back again next year. Janette didn't really get to show herself off too much because she was partnered with Julien, but she's been given quite a bit to do on ITT suggesting she is well liked with producers. Iveta seemed lovely and stands out in a lot of the pro dances, especially in the ballroom. I thought Anya slotted into the group perfectly and I thought her choreography this year was the best out of all the pros, really suited Patrick, but also kept a a lot of dance content in. I would love to see more of her and Pasha in the pro dances as I have been a fan of theirs since they were on SYTYCD in 2007.
Both new male pros made it to the finals so I'd assume they'd be asked back too.