I don't think Ashley should be there either. It is an ice dancing competition and, therefore, the judges should have expertise in ice dancing. Ashley and Jason do not and, if they must be there, their scores should not carry equal weight with those (Robin and Karen) who can judge both skating and performance.

I understand your desire for 'fairness' but do bear in mind that Karen is not really appropriate because of her dual role.

She should either be Judge or a coach but the two roles are not compatible.

Equally it seems inappropriate for any Judge to base their comments and marking on something that may, or may not, have happened at the dress rehearsal or in training.

All judging and comments should be solely based on he final performance that is transmitted - only fair to the viewers.

What angers me most is quite often people boo over Jason talking and the contestants can't hear the feedback. Karen seems to be living in the past trying to get in shots wherever she can and it spoils the show. Jason offers constructive feedback in a warm lighthearted way, Karen to me is just very cold.

Chris Dean and Karen Barber have been officially dating since she helped him get over his marriage break-up.

As for Karen and Jason - I think he's sometimes puts his foot in his mouth, but I'm sure he is egged on to play the villain and just doesn't get it quite right. Karen is still bitter about their little argument in the past, and takes every opportunity to have a pop at Jason.

Reminds me of Linda Nolan on CBB.

and, indeed, very odd at times.


On many occasions her prim and proper pouty, ('I told you so!'), expression reminds me of a parody of an ' old-maid school teacher' as portrayed in some of old films of the '50s or '60s

Karen and Jason didn't get on before that comment, so I don't think it's because of that.

Exactly - she used that whole issue to gain sympathy. I don't care for her, she can be very harsh, despite being the coach. She looked so made up tonight when it was noted that she was head judge, I thought her head was going to explode, it grew so big!!

She puts me in mind of a spoilt young kid who pretends to be nice to get their own way but can sink the barbs in right when you least expect it, hit out, then get what they wanted. 'I told you so!!'

Any progression on her part, such as being head judge, doesn't sit easily with the viewers because of her tantrums and her nasty comments, albeit disguised as niceties.

How exactly did she do that? I can't see that at all.

What Jason said was totally out of order. Even he said so himself in the results show later that evening.

Karen doesn't like Jason because he can get personal with his comments. I remember her saying a week or so before that argument, "If you're going to critique them, then keep it to their performances; don't get personal." I don't think she wants him to be gushing and positive about everyone all the time; just for him to be constructive, that's all. And with Jason, he doesn't like her because he can give it out, but he can't take it at all. You only need to look at past celebrities who have spoken out to him. Take Luke Campbell last year, for example. Jason didn't like it when Luke talked back to him. And going back to Karen, she knows that Jason can't take it because I can remember her at one point shaking his head at Luke and putting a finger to her lips as if to say, "Stop, or you'll make it worse with Jason."