I don't! I wasn't a fan of his or 'look at me! look at me!' Flavia...

Agree

I was wondering who Len would go against this year, I thought it might be Gleb. I really like both the new guys Giovanni I find funny he only learned English a few months ago to take part in the show no wonder at times he looks bemused I don't find him arrogant at all, I think the producers have given him the role of Italian Stallion and told him to act that part, I could be very wrong but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he is gay .... not that it matters either way it's ridiculous some people are saying he wants to split Georgia and Sean up. I used to like Len but he has a horrible nasty streak and shouldn't be head judge.

They were thinking of storyboarding him, that's what they were thinking.
They tried to mould him in the part of a vain Italian with the prettiest little girl in the series as the sexpot/rumor mill couple. The trouble is his English isn't extensive enough yet to pull off the act and there isn't enough chemistry there to spark anything more than an anonymous presence out of Georgia yet.
Just think if they had partnered Georgia with Gleb. Oh my.

Len's reaction was over the top, but Giovanni's face-pulling and eye rolling was rude, so I don't feel sorry for him. I wonder if Len's 'attack' was partly scripted? Maybe Georgia isn't doing well in the votes and they thought this might get them some sympathy? At least it means people are remembering she is actually in the show.

Len was having a nasty tantrum that was uncomfortable to watch, i like Giovanni, he did'nt deserve to be spoken to in that manner on live TV or anywhere else.

I can't dislike someone I don't know but I think the producers are not serving him very well. He is positioned as a Primark Vincent and whilst I loved Vincent's dancing his persona on Strictly turned my stomach. Giovanni is being fed the same lines and encouraged to make the same facial impressions.

Funny how this didn't bother Len ( or the other judges, for that matter ) when Peter Andre did a non-cha cha and a non-quickstep.

Should have brought Trent back.

I certainly didn't like him much on ITT.

I watched it back and couldn't really see that much shaking the head from Giovanni so a bit of a odd outburst from Len. It seems that he has an agenda against Giovanni for some reason....

Both of those dances had enough recognisable steps in them though, regardless of what was said. Giovanni didn't put anything in really, not one rumba walk to show her hip action. It was all turns, holds, back bending and angst - but not enough rumba. No heel turns / leads last week either - she should be getting taught basic steps as well as putting in the style / performance.

My thoughts exactly! I feel the producers are cashing in on him as Vincent's replacement. I often thought Len was harsh on Vincent, and lo and behold, he's harsh on Giovanni. Last night did Len no favours; on other threads there are comments hoping this is his last Series...though I wouldn't say the same, I do think he needs to reel it in a bit...dance evolves, and being a traditionalist, Len is not evolving. He's being blinkered.

I'm letting Giovanni bed in and prove himself, I wish the producers would do the blimmin same!

I don't think Vincent 2.0 suits him

Yet Vincent was Len's favourite dancer. He actually said on ITT, that if could choose any of the professionals to dance with, it would be Vincent, because he was such a master at his craft.

Len's reaction was uncalled for as the viewers could not see Giovanni's reaction to the critic. such a shame for all their hard work to be ignored on the night.

Len's outburst
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9gTN560dDg

I've watched back the moment Len chose to take Giovanni down a peg or three. As with Trent I think Len misinterpreted Giovanni. I feel really sorry for Giovanni and he seemed mortified. Georgia handled it well though. Good for her to take it on the chin and lighten things for Giovanni.

Having watched it back it seems like he was reacting more to his fellow Italian's silliness, but it registered on RoboTess's sensors as disagreement so she called attention to it.

Totally agree with you.

I've watched it back and it's not *that* bad.

Regardless, I feel sorry for Giovanni. If it's true that he's only recently learnt English, then he's obviously going to be more comfortable making gestures, rather than speaking.

He's a new pro in a new country - and he gets barked at by a grumpy old Brit. Poor chap.

I'm not sure what some people have been watching to classify his reaction as rude. He shook his head but was smiling all along and when Len went off on one he looked genuinely a bit scared, put his hand on his chest, and muttered "sorry". They way some people portrayed the situation it was as though as the guy was spitting feathers and had to be restrained to not punch "poor" Len. Brendan and James have answered back in far worse ways than he did, not only to Len but to other judges too.

Unfortunately, some people don't like the Italian schtick, the whole ladies man thing and that is fine with me, but some of comments about him on this forum have been really nasty and to be honest I think they have more to do with his nationality than anything else. He's a good dancer and his routines for Georgia so far have been quite good. The rumba didn't have enough rumba steps, so what? Does it grant a reaction like Len's? I don't think so.

Len's reaction didn't do him any favours, though. All over the internet, especially on Twitter, general consensus is that Len's a past his prime cretin who goes on a annual random rant, of which his previous victims have been, well, nearly every dancer on the show, some more than others.

At least it the rudeness and grumpiness can't be blamed on jet lag anymore, this is who he really is.

Have yet to inform an opinion on Giovanni, but i have one of Len that has formed over many series of SD. I think he is a miserable, rude, arrogant, up-himself, know-it-all dinosaur! I tend to turn the TV down when he gives his opinion, as while he may be the most informed of the judges i find he likes the sound of his own voice and thinks far too much of himself for my liking. In fact i would be very happy if they got rid of Bruno, Darcy and Len and put some new blood into the judging panel - Craig i can take or leave at least he is honest and, after the mistake he made when he called someone out on the way they looked, far more circumspect now in his nastiness. Would be nice if maybe Karen Hardy and Ian Waite to name but a couple replaced the current judges who for me are one of the things that spoil the show - the other being Tess parroting everything the judges say!!!

I think this is pretty accurate, sadly.

Giovanni is no more arrogant than some others. James Jordan, Brendan Cole all had their moments. I get that Len is the senior judge and has many years experience but he has a nasty side. Apart from the professional dancers he gets very grumpy if the audience dare to boo any comments of his. He also doesn't really like modern interpretation of dances. His technical knowledge is not disputed but he's not quite the jokey, twinkley eyed gent he mostly portrays

The judges did the same to Aliona in her first week, told her off directly, so they've got form.

I think it could have been said in a nicer way, but the point was right. Hopefully Giovanni takes it in the right way - look how far Aliona's come since she joined the show!

I don't think being Vincent 2.0 suits Giovanni at all, and the sooner he stops trying the better.