Do you think it would be a good idea for celebrities to attend a crash course after they are signed onto the programme to ensure they understand the basics of rhythm, posture, balance and musical interpretation?

No choreography or ballroom technique, just sheer basics?

Then once announced/launch show broadcasts, they begin learning ballroom and Latin routines.

Obviously there are still going to be bad dancers, it's inevitable, but at least all would have a more stable base to begin their ballroom/Latin from.

Its a good idea Nina, but for me, learning the basics is about learning the technique to be able to dance the basics ( well or not as the case may be)

Then perhaps studying ballet technique would make sense. It provides an excellent base for many other forms of dance

I certainly agree in terms of obtaining great posture, balance and strengthening of core. Invaluable for any dancer of course.

I think this would be a great idea Nina.

I would still have the same mix of celebrities ('ringahs', MOR, duffers) but, this way, they will ALL have some kind of base from which to begin from.

I'm always surprised that more of them don't sign up for some dance classes before things kick off. I know a few have, but most don't seem to. I don't mean specific ballroom and Latin classes either, just something that would get them in better condition for dancing, even just to be fitter and stronger and make them more aware of how to control their bodies.

True! People were up in arms when Zoe Ball had some preparatory classes, but I thought it was just admirable that she was so dedicated to getting it right.

Yes, I have often wondered that too. If I was a non dancer, I 'm sure I would be taking some lessons in advance, to have a bit of an idea as to what i was supposed to do.

Isn't that what the pros are supposed to do with the celebs in the 2-3 weeks between the pairing and the first live show?

To be honest, there are rumours each year about who has and who hasn't. I believe most of them do, and those who don't are simply missing a trick.

Of the top of my head, Jason Donovan, Abbey Clancy, Tom Chambers were all rumoured to have done so.

Zoe Ball took quite a lot of stick for allegedly doing just that.

It was before my time watching Strictly. I am pretty sure that many more have done so, but hidden it away.

I'm not really sure. In the first steps, some look like they're practising a variety of techniques, while others seem to just be focusing on whatever dance they have on week 1.

Oh, quite possibly . But take Carol. I read at the start that she regretted not losing some weight before starting and was struggling with the fitness element. I imagine she'd be someone who would see taking lessons first as 'not cricket', but I'm amazed she didn't think about yoga and some cardiac training (or find out what would be good 'body prep' - I have no idea what would be best ). As it is, she's battling on all fronts.

In the early series, celebs had 5 weeks of dance training with their partners before the first live show, never got over the fact that it's now down to 3 weeks, it shows

Also the early series, apparently the celebs were told they'd have to only spend a small amount of time training, I cant remember 4 hours a week? 12 hours a week? I remember Julian Clary saying something about this years later, and he was series 2 for those of you joining at a later date

They would be better learning basics which would help them with most of the dances. So for example:

Posture, forward and backward walks in ballroom, gradual and quick rise. How to incline the body to introduce sway.

In Latin, again posture, transfer of weight, some basic rumba walks forwards and backwards, settling of hip, use of ribcage, movement of arms.

they do, more or less, don't they?

between the launch show (which i never watch) and the first real show is about a month that they are in training, hopefully not just learning one dance parrot fashion (or whatever the dance equivalent is...) but getting some basic skills?

I think that depends on the pro. I can remember Ian saying that - in the days when the 2 dance weeks started much earlier - he didn't mind having to teach 2 dances a week because he spent the first weeks concentrating on technique so the base work was in place, but others had different methods and found it harder.

(Didn't Alesha have a brain freeze in one dance - foxtrot? - and they could just wing it because Matthew had taught the dance rather than a routine?)

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