As I don't watch tennis I didn't know Judy Murray, although even I knew she was a very respected tennis coach. She couldn't dance, but so what? I couldn't coach tennis or even play it properly! But what a lovely lady she proved to be. Of all the celebs who have been on Strictly, Judy must surely rank as one of the nicest.

That's what I'd like for the 'celebrity' Strictly. I mean I've been absolutely pilloried for suggesting certain 'celebs' are unworthy of place on strictly - but I don't care - I'll say it again, I just don't care for people who've been fast tracked to fame for all the wrong reasons. To me, marrying or dating someone famous or posing and selling stories for the tabloids/ Ok etc isn't anything to be admired.

I don't see what's wrong with wanting to see a celeb that perhaps isn't as famous as one of these attention seeking type 'celebs' but has probably had to work a damn sight harder in a worthwhile career such as sport, acting, music etc on strictly. I'd much rather see celebs with credible achievements, but judging by the rumours thread it seems like these producers prefer 'celebs' who court the tabloids, so it depends on whether there will be any decent signings as to whether I decide to watch next series.

I completely agree. Judy did indeed come over as a lovely lady. She didn't dance well, but she made a genuine effort and tried her best, and that's what counts.

Pixie not making the final last year was ridiculous. Left me feeling pretty indifferent to the show now since the manipulation is just as bad as it is on The X Factor (i.e. getting rid of her because she wasn't on the tour).

Undecided whether I'll be tuning in this year. I probably will, but if/when it becomes obvious they're manipulating it, they'll lose me... probably for good this time.

Same sex couples would be an immediate switch off as far as I am concerned

That really doesn't appeal to me either.

A trans-gender competitor would be interesting though.

Yeah I didn't mind Judy staying in for a few weeks last year as she was trying to dance and not just have funny routines. It annoys me when there is a contestant who can't dance so they just make them a joke and it's as if it a contest for the most outrageous dance. Scott's under the sea was a good example last year.

I already record strictly because I can't bear to watch the ridiculous VTs, I'd much rather have a minute or so of their rehearsals to see how they were getting on. I like when they talk about what they are struggling with in rehearsal and then you can see if they pull it off live.

A contestant who is only famous for being mean and controversial like Katie Hopkins would put me off watching. I'd like to see celebrities who genuinely want to learn to dance rather than people who want to further their time in the public eye.

For some reason some people keep suggesting her on the rumours thread (wind up?). I agree though, someone like her would be a right turn off, to me it's bad enough the BBC made her famous in the first place! I know they had Widdy but fortunately I can't see them sinking as low as Hopkins - I think she's gone too far with her inflammatory trolling - so I think she'd be too big a risk.

Don't forget the portly man with terrible teeth who gave meaningless stats in a faux camp Northern voice wearing a Bingo caller's suit from 1975. That was a truly weird ITT segment.

I must say I don't feel very enthused about the list of Pros named. But I'll still watch.

I remember reading a couple of years now in one of the local newspapers here in Fife where I live that she used to be a member of Dunfermline Tennis Club for seven years and had led to success in the Scottish Cup. I found that really interesting.



I've said this before in a previous post, but she was never going to be in the final because she wasn't able to do to the tour. Pixie really wanted to do the tour, I have read, but due to her busy schedule (recording her new album) she couldn't do it.

Like Judy, Pixie came across as a lovely person on the show. She is not only putting this to good use, but she has also been able to gain a new fan base.

I even met her at the stage door of Newcastle's Theatre Royale when I made the journey down to see her in Puttin' on the ritz last month. She was so lovely, warm, caring and considerate to everyone posing for pictures and signing tickets and programmes. When I told her how far I had come, she was rather amused. She even apologised to me that she couldn't do Glasgow when I had found out she wasn't able to do the dates there. Her kind words really touched me.
and she even apologised to me that she couldn't manage Glasgow

That is a lovely anecdote.

I really liked her on Strictly........although her Thunderbirds partner annoyed me.

Hear hear. Judy had far more right to be on the show than, say, Jo Wood or Penny Lancaster.

I felt that, once you knew the various challenges the contestants were facing in their personal lives, the winner was a foregone conclusion. Most people would vote for the 'disadvantage' rather than the 'dancing'.

I guess you are referring to the People's Strictly?

I was thinking more of people who don't appear much in the papers or on TV. They may be doing much the same thing as the ones who do appear on TV.
There are many sports that do not get a lot of TV coverage, but the people are just as worthy as those that do.
Sophie Hitchon is one person I have mentioned - a hammer thrower who studied ballet as a child.
England women's footballers are now possible Strictly invitees, but England's best ever player Kelly Smith was probably not considered because the team was not getting as much coverage and success.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31118762

Yes, I was talking about TPS, but I think it applies more generally when contestants aren't so well known, although I do like your idea.

Canned music

Dances like Jake and Janette's Argentine Tango from last year. The music and routine were out of keeping and completely unsympathetic to the dance.

Good god, I'd forgotten that - a 1/10 dance if ever I saw one, and I'm usually a kind judge...

Anton moving to judging panel or presenting

Gosh, either way it would become "The Anton Show", wouldn't it? Once he starts talking (usually about himself!!!) he doesn't know when to stop!

I also support this motion. He would then be critiquing celebs more able than himself. Well in the Latin department anyway, as possibly no one is more able at Ballet than Darcey was in her prime and Bruno is a choreographer and Craig is a stage performer

I would go as far as to say the first time someone controversial like Katie Hopkins (my example was Sharon Osborne) takes part, then I would never watch again. A line will have been crossed. I certainly wouldn't start watching part way through a series just because they had been eliminated.

I agree the danger with TPS is it becoming about who appears most deserving.

There's already so much about it that I don't like (panel inanity, music choices, cheesy camp, hyped-up audience, waxwork guest artists, total predictability, banal, clichéd VTs etc) and I still can't wait for it all to begin again each year so providing it doesn't get nasty (blatant and sustained bias and discrimination) then I can't see anything that will stop me from continuing to watch Strictly!

Let's not forget all the atrocities inflicted on the Paso Doble over the years

Mark's Spaceman, Ashley's Cowboy etc etc.

And the rumba - Marks's Blofeld rumba and Ashley's Aladdin rumba.