Why did they get binned? Do they just like to switch things up or were there any rumours as to why at the time?

Ian's still on ITT so must have been on friendly terms.

No one seems to know. One popular suggestion is that the BBC were uncomfortable with the emerging scenario whereby the more popular pro dancers were arguably more famous than the 'zelebs' they were tasked with mentoring.

The culling of Lilia was quite the shocker ~ she was the veritable queen of SCD at the time, she'd made the semis with Aled, won with Darren, got to the semis again with Matt ... had a few less successful years most notable for getting felt up by Dom Littlewood, and then woosh, she was gone.

On the basis of how Lilia was shunted off the show, I'd say Ola's return was far from certain. Though nowadays it's far less about teaching someone to dance and far more about 'the cult of Strictly'.

Neither Ian or Matt had nearly the mainstream recognition or popularity of someone like Ola or Anton. Nowhere near. They're popular on forums (although the Cult Of Ian in particular I only remember taking off here after he'd left) but I can't see that factoring into top-level decisions on who stays and who goes. The Bennetts were closest of the big cull in Series 8, and even then only really Lilia. Regardless, the demotion/quitting of all of them had demonstrably absolutely no effect on ratings.

I'm not sure many pros make a difference. When DWTS' Master of Puppets Derek Hough left for the one season he left (#12) the ratings went up! (I think that's why he's determined never to leave again, even if he has to dance in steel toed boots and leg braces, which I think will be next week since he broke his toe, then fell down the stairs trying to get some ice, spraining both ankle ligaments and bruising a bone) - some say he might have been too high (but not so much, after the fall)

oops topic topic - I like Ola, she's adorable, got great boobs that I can frequently enjoy on Twitter, and I enjoy reading James' insights on there as well, so it's a win win for me. I hope Robin will be more forthcoming in his pithy opinions as well And I wish Ola and Derek speedy recoveries, of course.

My theory is Iveta turned them down late in the day and so they just went with Ola. I don't think she really is well-loved by the public (as has been said, pros leave Strictly and the show goes on) but she is the best known female because she runs off to the tabloids every couple of weeks.

As a fan of the show I do feel that the loss of certain pros diminishes the show and sometimes changes the direction of the programme for the worse (we need more ballroom specialists or ten dancers). I don't think the show has really managed to replace Vincent and Flavia in terms of chemistry, all-round ability and likeability. However, I was actually looking forward to Ola being gone because the speed-dial connection to the tabloids is tiresome and cheap and James's determination to use her as a pawn in his bitter battle with the producers casts a dark cloud over the show. Last year it felt very much like Ola wasn't allowed to enjoy herself or let her celeb have a good experience because that would have been betraying James.

Anyway, I checked James's twitter today. What is it with him and that whole 'I'm British' thing? I'm British too! I love Wimbledon, paintings of dogs, sitcoms starring Mollie Sugden and the democracy of the queue. I would no more jump a queue than stab my own mother. And yet, when James goes on one of his 'Britishness' tirades, it makes me want to move to the caves of Tora Bora with a slightly iffy Frenchman. He makes Britishness sound so obnoxious.

I agree about Ola and James having the tabloids on speed dial and I think a lot of people mistake frequent tabloid coverage for popularity - the fact is any z lister with a PR agent can get themselves in the tabloids - hence a lot of 'show biz' coverage being devoted to people from TOWIE, MIC etc. Look at Mark Wright he's one of the biggest attention seekers out there and people were saying that he would be popular on strictly because of his high tabloid profile and he ended up in the dance off three times. I don't know exactly how popular Ola is but to me her getting a lot of tabloid coverage is not proof of 'popularity' it's just proof that's she's got a good PR agent.

Another point - is her fans keep on insisting on her 'popularity' and what a brilliant dancer and choreographer she is - well if that's the case then why were the Jordans never able to get investment for their own tour like some of the other popular pro couples on the show?

Oh dear. Stark reality hits. Ola popular. Iveta who?

I never really got the Iveta love on here - I thought she was a bit of an ice queen, and her "comedy" was never terribly for me. As someone else said ( possibly on the other thread about 2015 pros) when in routines with other pros, she actually seemed a bit robotic compared to them. I won't miss her at all.... Or Robin for that matter!

James tweets on Britishness? I think that's all to do with the fact that the other Home Nations all make a thing about their Saint's day - the Welsh go mad over St David, the Irish have turned St Patrick's Day into a major thing, and the Scots celebrate St Andrew too - the English have never seemed to do the same for St George... And many places feel that it's somehow insulting to the multi racial community to even want to celebrate Englishness.... (Just an observation from an expat Irishwoman.....)

Well done to Ola for getting dance fit again..... I'm looking forward to seeing her dance on the show, and I hope she gets a good partner

Yes, I'm not sure how Ola being back means she is any more popular than the other pros. Aliona is back too but I don't see anyone saying that is proof that she is popular. On newspaper articles I've seen online about Ola coming back, the comments are about 30% glad she's back and 70% wishing they'd dropped her. A lot of people don't care and just like the look of the two new guys.

Apart from all the off-screen stuff with Ola and James, after her on-screen performance the last couple of years I feel that a contender would be wasted on her. Her choreography looks tired and her heart hasn't looked in it for a while. Having said that, the only strong choreographers amongst the female pros seem to be Natalie, Kristina (sometimes) and Aliona (not always my cup of tea but never boring). I think the female pro I miss most is Flavia - lovely personality and great choreography.

I agree about Flavia - she's my all time favourite pro on strictly - such a classy but sensual dancer - even the Latin dances she managed to make classy and never had to resort to over sexing them like some female pros tend to do. She always tried to make her celebrity shine and never resorted to distraction choreo unlike some female pros <cough> Ola

I personally thought Steve was wasted on Ola - she looked bored last series and that she'd rather be anywhere than on the set of strictly. I was disappointed and felt sorry for him that he was caught up in the whole politics of the Jordans V the strictly producers - I think this is one of the reasons why his strictly experience was marred. I will always wonder now how he would have faired with another pro who'd have been happy and grateful to be there.

I really like Janette - I know she's not the most experienced but I think she puts her heart and soul into the dancing and the job of teaching her partners. I also think there's a place on strictly for a salsa specialist - it's one of my favourite dances and most of the salsas we see on strictly are cr*p!

Yep I agree. I'm pretty sure that pros leaving no matter how popular they're don't make a difference in the ratings. I remember how derek and Maks fans swore all up and down that them leaving will crush the ratings but it didn't.

Excitied to have Ola chops back

That's one of the things that worries me about Ola coming back. I don't know whether James' ramblings and all the tabloid stuff is just them or agreed with the producers, but its not fair on whichever contestant she gets if they don't want to get caught up in it all.


I like her too. I don't think choreography (other than salsa) is her strong point but like a lot of them she can get help with that and I really enjoyed all her performances with Jake. You never knew what you were going to get, which you pretty much always do with Ola - starfish and knee slides. Janette brings something different and I liked the relationship she had with Jake - there seemed to be liking and respect without having to be draped all over each other like some couples.

Olachops will be back!!!

Back of the net! Best news I've heard in a long time.

Ian, Matthew, Brian Fortuna and Darren were all offered places in the ill-fated troupe. (Lilia too??). Ian and Darren accepted, so that might have had a bearing on Ian staying in the fold.

Given they were all offered a role on the show, albeit a reduced one, it doesn't sound like anything more gossip-worthy than TPTB wanting to freshen things up. (Perhaps not wanting any of the pros to 'out-shine' the zlebs really was part of it....but then we still have Anton and Brendan...). The troupe was handled badly and eventually dropped, but I imagine the intention may have been to keep a few doors open in case the new boys (Artem, Robin and Little Jared) didn't pan out, or just to keep a stable of dancers around to give them more options when casting, perhaps.

I have just had a look at all the female pro twitter pages. All but Ola have said how happy they are to be back
Ola is all hair and make up shoots not a word about Strictly
I thought this a bit odd

I'm loving how Ola is treating Strictly. Serves them right!

It is a bit unexpected.

I doubt if there is a formal arrangement with the producer - that couldn't really be done.

Ola did want to be back on Strictly and she has got her wish. I don't think the producer is the slightest bit scared of the Jordans and I'd guess that the hiring of Ola is a recognition of her past good work. Maybe the lack of twittering is a form of appreciation to the producer?

[quote=Ellie1967;77813509]Yes, I'm not sure how Ola being back means she is any more popular than the other pros. Aliona is back too but I don't see anyone saying that is proof that she is popular. On newspaper articles I've seen online about Ola coming back, the comments are about 30% glad she's back and 70% wishing they'd dropped her. A lot of people don't care and just like the look of the two new guys. QUOTE]

I'm not sure Ola is the most popular of the other pro's but I think the producers think she is. Can't think why the they would put up with the hassle (James) that will come with bringing her back otherwise.

Anton and Brendan have always seemed bulletproof on this show for some reason or other, perhaps Ola can now be added to that list.

Add me to the list of posters pleased Ola is back for the next series.

I'd rather Ola just embraced the experience with positivity and focussed her energy on helping her celeb partner to learn and enjoy the Strictly experience.

I'll sign up as well.

Really, really pleased to see little Ola back for another series. I have never seen her to be anything other than fully committed to her celeb, and focussed on the task in hand i.e. getting her partner as far as she possibly could, whatever she had to do to achieve that end - even if it meant getting the cat suit out!

yes, she was offered a place to but declined

not sure what you mean

Just to say that, from her Twitter account, Aliona has been skiing. Love Aliona!

You mean the photo dated December 2006?

I think Aliona's dad was a ski instructor, and I'd expect she is an expert skier.