I think I like the look of this batch of celebs this year. Could be fun. Surely though there are just too celebs and a shorter series wold be better? The middle ground is so wide this year we could lose two celebs and not notice. We then wouldn't have quite so many weeks of filler in ITT, quite so many hopeless VT links, etc. In other words - less repetition, more freshness and quality.

Thoughts?

I think most people look forward to three months of Strictly and wouldn't want it to be shorter ! It passes by in a whirl for me, and I watch every single ITT as well.

I've always thought that 14 celebs and 12 weeks was the right length. This isn't stretching it much, but the 15 dances this weekend is going to be an utter chore.

I'm definitely going to record, start watching 45 minutes after the beginning and use the FF button

I usually don't really enjoy the early weeks as much. There are just so many people to get through, but then it usually settles down after a few weeks and it gives you time to get to know all the personalities. If I could choose I would probably have the same number or maybe one or two less and cut down the running time by having shorter VTs etc (just in the early weeks). I also quite like ITT more in the early weeks to be honest, I tend to skip it more towards the end.

But a shorter series would mean less time for them to learn dancing and improve, which is supposed to be the point, and less time for us to get to know them, so it would become even more inevitable who would win. It would become something only people with dancing training have a prayer of doing well in, and so the range of people willing to take part would get much narrower. It's worth being a loveable older person having a go if you are one of 15 and there's a chance that you may last five or six weeks and show that you are loved - it's not worth doing if you're one of six, the only untrained one, and bound to be out week one.

And I don't see why less people would mean less filler? - I don't think it would. I think the VT's are a set length to get people and props on and off and would stay the same whatever.

Personally I love this bit, getting to know everyone, and particularly the middle bit from about 11 to about 6 contestants. I tend to go off it at the end when it's all about someone winning and all gets hyped out of sight, and rarely watch the final. I wouldn't mind 14 or even 12 contestants but not less than that.