Exactly, he's brought it all upon himself. He deserves to be hated for all the reasons you've mentioned. Then again it's been goaded by the people who sign lens pay cheque.

Giovanni got what he asked for

Shaking his head whilst one of the judges was giving feedback was even more unprofessional than Len's hissy fit.

Shaking his head may have been inappropriate but there was no need to humiliate the poor man like that on live Tv . Plus he's a newbie. Len was out of order

All the judges look ridiculous in the entrance bit but I think Darcy is the worst... her idea dancing seems to involve looking awfully smug every week. At least Len has the excuse that he can remember when dinosaurs were alive.

Edy I'd love it if BBC had the guts to drop len in future SCD editions and thought about hiring somebody else. They've got to look at the next generation of fans.

Thanks. I actually really thought he was 102

Not seeing it happening lol.

It's Louise Rainbow, I "christened" her; "The Rainbow Worrier." As all the new annoying features of Strictly she's introduced, suggests she must be worried that this year's ratings won't be better than those of last year.

He's probably made a lot of unethical short term gains for BBC, the BBC are too conservative to let people go and when they have a director general that's a tory what can you expect?

My Mum and Dad are 80+ and go sequence dancing every week where they learn the choreography for new dances. They often lead off some dances too.
They are not professionals but do miles better than Len in those introductions (despite quite a few health problems between them!)
(and yes, I am very proud of them. )

Yeah, he has no excuses!

You're not wrong. Len has serious trouble with at least one knee, if not both, which makes even walking painful.

Maybe they haven't got a knee problem that almost prevents them from walking?

I'm still confused by this thread. I don't think the judges' dance is meant to be serious. They're all deliberately looking a bit naff aren't they?

Well, I always assumed it was deliberate..............

I have a lot of sympathy with that. My Mum had her knee done last year and the surgeon drew us a little diagram to explain what had been happening over the years while she was resisting the surgery. I can see why it would be so painful. Its not just the loss of buffer and lubrication, Once those are gone the bone ends grow and the upper and lower bones are trying to fuse themselves together into one long bone. It must be excruciating.

Yes of course it is. Light entertainment show with strong elements of pantomime.

It's just a pathetic attempt to hype up the programme more than it has been already.

I'm sorry to hear that An Thropologist and am sorry for Len then.
Maybe they should be sympathetic to Len and just have the judges sat at their desk.

When did they start this "routine" thing then? Last couple of series perhaps?

Hah knew it, I am not sure why he is still trying though, as with Anthony I am not really into watching people give themselves pain in the cause of entertainment

Len discussed his problems with arthritis on DWTS; I recommend watching this clip, as it's rather sweet (he dances at the end of the routine as well) - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2pvqb6

Beautiful. Thank you for that it brought a tear to my eye. I hate it when people dismiss people when they get old. It must be so hard to no longer be able to do the things you want or the things you once did or indeed to be the person you once were.

My heart went out to him and others like him. Its humbling to remember that this is what awaits us all ...if indeed we are lucky. The alternative sadly is worse. Aging is a bitch.

Agree

Len is an old man now, do you really expect him to be the same physical quality as when he was in his dancing prime. He's done his dancing time, he doesn't need to keep proving himself in that respect (as no former athlete now in their 40s, 50s and beyond has to).

He's a judge now, which means you only need the ability to be able to watch and attach knowledge to what you is in front of you.

It's his knee that causes the problem. After Monday he will be fine no doubt.

Well, as he's just about to undergo a total knee replacement...