I think if James wants to critique Strictly performances he might be better doing it through a blog. (Yes, I know many would throw their hands up in horror at the thought!) However, the nature of Twitter is that comments are brief and easily misinterpteted or selectively quoted which Is what I think is happening here. Of course that can happen in a blog but if he put his comments down in more detail we'd be able to take a more balanced view on whether he is being fair and whether he is biased.

I'm no fan of JJ but the tweets quoted here are all perfectly legitimate, even sensible, comments and constructive criticism.

It doesn't really set him apart from other ex-pros : both Camilla and Nicole have been known to do the same - sit there all evening saying the judges are so biased against/for such and such a type and technically woeful in their comments. The whole "GIVE ME 1000 RETWEETS OR I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!" stuff is a bit...needy, but well, it's James. And twitter.

I thought James' comments were mostly spot on, but, as ever, it's the manner in which he expresses himself that comes across so badly. He's trying to critique the dances fairly and honestly and support the pros and the backroom staff whilst dissing 'production' - which is fair enough - but he makes his case so poorly he just comes across as bitter and angry..... so ultimately he doesn't make his case at all .

Thinking about James's character, he strikes me as an out-and-out extrovert, since introverts think before they speak, while extroverts speak first and think later. It is therefore not surprising that James's medium of choice would be Twitter.

Nor is it surprising that he will put his foot in it nine times out of ten - or, at least, divide opinion on whether he is being fair or biased.

Giving a live opinion of Strictly on Twitter inevitably requires an instant, gut reaction type of remark, so there is no time to ponder the wisdom of making certain remarks. Yep, right up James's street!

Last night was less contentious in terms of pros dancing. I will be interested to see what he says today when Kevin and Karen dance with their partners, as well as Ola. . . That will be a real test of his 'neutrality'. Rather unexpectedly, he and Ola seem to like Joanne.

They will get more controversial the longer the show goes on - he has to try & remain relevant & in the public eye.

Is there bad blood between the Jordans and Cliftons?

I know there was the whole Ola/Karen thing last year but Kevin didn't really seem involved and Joanne definitely wouldn't have been.

I quite liked his tweets. Especially the "but the bagpipes were good" after his tweet on Judy's performance. Genuinely funny (though poor Judy!)

I'm not sure Ellie. I had inferred that it was both Karen and Kevin (rather than just Karen) but nothing directly has been said and Ola and Joanne seem to be ok.

I find his tweets entertaining. Lots of people complain about them, but they still read them.

(He did soften to blow by saying Judy will improve if she works at it but it came as an afterthought. )

James would be the last person to appreciate 'constructive' criticism from an ex Strictly pro after a contestant's debut dance.
Also, of course he will support his wife but surely his honesty will compel him to offer us the same constructive criticism, otherwise it will just be an opinion based on bias and favouritism .. an attitude he would be the first to scoff at and ridicule.

Personally, I don't think it's ever constructive to criticise your spouse in public, so I won't be scoffing or ridiculing any 'favouritism' in his comments about Ola. That's not dishonesty, it's loyalty, good manners and self preservation.

Totally. Of course he's going to be unconditionally supportive of Ola and her partner. He loves her! He doesn't have to be impartial, he's just twittering, not a judge on the show.

(Plus Steve is lovely )

I would hope James will be kind and realistic, though I thought he was that for the others too. With any discipline, you need clarity of feedback (or you're heading for chaos) but also a wee bit of generosity for the effort/spirit/human foibles involved.

Unless I've misread James' comments, all of his barbs were against judges and production decisions, not against the Pros or the poor buggers risking humiliation on live tv.

James does not think, he just vomits his thoughts before the brain is able to process them, because his egotistical personality and thirst for gossip and self aggrandizing overshadows everything else.

It was a lot of things really, he did not like Gary Busey, the winner, and made that quite obvious, he did not get on the Audley Harrison, the runner up and continually tried to wind him up.
His exit interview was nothing but a tirade against Gary, and he was just very ungracious.
You would really have needed watch the programme to fully appreciate how rude him and Dee from Benefits Street were, in my opinion anyway.
And thanks to Gary, he will always be known as the Brad Pitt of the dance world!!

the thing with ola aside James just has a thing about BTF people he has made quite a few barb comments about it

He can comment all he likes, but as much as he criticises production decisions etc I bet he'd chew his arm off to be part of the show.

Spot on, I can't wait for his critique of Karen and Mark's performance tonight!

That maybe your opinion but it's not mine

James echoed everything I was thinking regarding Gary, actually James was quite tame compared to what I would have said

He's a puzzle though -- he's really not easily characterisable. He makes jokes and barbed comments about BTF but, asked, says that Artëm is the best dancer SCD has ever had (apart from 'Brad SHIT' ) and Pasha is the best male Pro [currently, he must mean], both of whom are part of that BTF influx. I was going to add the best 'in his opinion' but actually in James-speak that's 'FACT'.

I think he just throws these things out and in the cloud of contradictions, bad jokes and quick temper, somewhere, you can make out a bloke who has a good enough heart and who definitely cares about the show. Even if he has had to leave it. That's the impression I get anyway. He's not criticising to condemn Strictly but rather to give voice to an alternative way of doing things.

Honk!!

He's bitter and obviously not over the fact he was kicked out! Why are we continuing to give him forum space? Good riddance to him i say!

Sorry but if f/m's want to discuss James that is up to them. Please don't speak for everyone with the "Why are We"

I didn't speak for everyone thank you very much, and please kindly refrain from twisting my words. I think it's quite clear what i was saying

I guess he was doing "The Royal We"