He's already gone

Keep them all except for ola now.

Lots of love for Trent on this thread, which I share. I wish he hadn't gone after just one season. Presumably it was a combination of him being gutted about what happened with Pixie (as was I) + there was some issue about him wanting his wife to be included iirc. I can't imagine TPTB would have got rid of him as he seemed to be diligent, creative and cute, but what do I know.

I liked Katya too, would like to see her back. I think the show really needs one or two taller pro women (Natalie can't dance with all the tall men) as then the situation with Jeremy and Karen wouldn't be happening - they look ridiculous together. I think Katya was a bit taller than average?

Jo should really be in as well, she did pretty well last year and she's obviously keen. She can replace one of the other tinies - Ola or Janette.

It's hard to believe that anyone tunes in to see Brenda these days, and he's certainly no contender any more. As for Anton he just isn't even pretending to be good enough any more. They can both go.

I'd love Artem to come back - is that even a possibility? Quite liked Brian too. On the other hand I have NO desire to see Robin return.

In general I think the show does an indifferent job of retaining good pros and getting rid of inferior ones, but it is the BBC after all so no great surprise there.

BIB would agree and replace her with Anya

Every celebrity should have a partner who is at least competent in both latin and ballroom.

For that reason you could argue that Anton should never have been in Strictly. The gulf is becoming more embarrassing each year.

Some people might find him amusing but the professionals are not there for comedic value.

To go based on abilities:
Anton
Janette
Ola
Tristan

To be replaced by:
? wish they could reinstate Ian
Anya
Gordana
Trent

re-BIB: Another Trent fan here. I think the beeb asked him back but he made a condition of his return that his wife join as a pro female and the beeb said no.

Bib: I agree with you edy.

Females:
Ola definitely, replace with Iveta, if poss. If not Katya, Anya, again if poss. Joanne should be given a proper shot too.
Janette, I can't make my mind up - I find her personality delightful and her athleticism astounding, but she really does seem to lack the requisite skills.
Karen - has done well with a duffer, give her another season.

Males:
Brendan and Tristan deffo. to go. The first checked out years ago and the second is pretty ineffective in the role.
Giovanni doesn't seem to bring much to the party either.
Anton has a role but it is a big mistake to have given him a contender.

As for replacements; Trent definitely, he was great. I suppose bringing back Ian or Matt is never going to happen now? So, almost anyone other than Robin or James would be OK by me.

I'm really clueless about the training the pros have, but IMO Brandon seems to be a bit tired of the show, teaching the celeb, and forming a partnership. He could be replaced with Trent.

I'm surprised Janette doesn't get as much bitchiness (for want of a better word) directed at her as Anton re suitability to be on the show. Everyone knows Anton can't do Latin - is in fact disdainful of it - but perhaps he gets more flak because he's been on Strictly longer (ever since the beginning?, so there's been time for resentment to build up), and he's older - well past prime dancer age.

My attitude towards Janette is the same as Anton - she is not qualified for the show. She is charming, but then I like Anton's personality as well.

I don't think Janette is as bad as people make out. I think since Julien, she's really come into her own and as one half of a golden couple with Aljaz, like Kevin and Karen, I don't think she'll be going anywhere

I think it's 99.9% certain we'll be saying goodbye to Ola. Replace her with the wonderful Emma Slater!

I'd have said the same with Aliona but since her partnership with Jay, I've fallen in love with her again! She doesn't deserve another duffer next year at all.

I'd happily say goodbye to Anton and Brendan. I can't imagine Anton getting a partner as good as Laila Rouass or Katie Derham again. Brendan's the same. His attitude recently is shocking when it comes to his partners, yet behind the scenes and with Claudia, he's funny to watch! I'd replace the two of them with Kyle Taylor!

Aliona, Emma, Janette, Karen, Kristina, Natalie & Oti
Aljaz, Giovanni, Gleb, Kevin, Kyle, Pasha & Tristan

My pro line-up

I think Anton gets more flak because any viewer at home could look at him dancing next to the other male pros and see a clear difference, but that's not really the case with Janette. She may lack skill in choreographing/teaching ballroom but she is a good enough dancer to not look out of place in pro dances and she looks like a good dancer when doing her own choreography, even if experts can see its not totally correct. I'm not sure the average viewer at home who knew nothing about any of the pro's backgrounds would be able to pick Janette out as the one with the least training.

Anton's proved he's no good with celebs who can dance.
Brendan's attitude doesn't fit with the show. He's not playing a role, he simply comes across bitter, moody and uninterested in it all.
Kevin for the simple fact he annoys me.

No idea who can replace them unless previous pros come back, which I don't think is a particularly good idea.

I think you must be right. Anton's Latin is embarrassing to watch, whereas most people would have to visit these forums to understand what's happening with Janette (and that's a tiny percentage of however million people watch the show). I certainly wouldn't have realized it unless I read about it here. I mean, I noticed that something was wrong, but didn't know why - one can fake dancing it well enough (after all, isn't that just what the pros are teaching our celebrities to do?) but you can't fake teaching it. I just can't imagine any of the other pros showing such spectacular failure at remedying ballroom problems.

However, the producers DO know better. After all, they have to look at dancers' CVs when hiring, so they have no excuse.

Trent should have stayed he was one of the best male Pros ever. He should have won last year with Pixie.

I'd keep Tristan, though many seem to dislike him.

I'd get rid of the old boring pros like Anton, Brendan, Ola.

I agree about the producers, but with the way they are taking the show I don't think they really care that much anymore about teaching ballroom technique. It seems to be more if you can teach the celeb a crowd pleasing routine that they can get through reasonably well, whether it looks anything like the dance its supposed to be or not. Very few of the pros introduced since 2010 seem to be better teachers than those they replaced.

Re the other pros, I think plenty of them fail to remedy ballroom problems. Aljaz is a good ballroom dancer but has never fixed gapping issues with Abbey and now Helen. Pasha won with Caroline but she still had all sorts of technical issues in both ballroom and latin at the end of the show. I think when someone is less trained like Janette, or not great at latin like Anton, its just easier to put all the blame on them rather than the celeb. It may be true, but there's no proof that another pro could teach them any better unless they do a partner-swap.

I think Janette gets a lot of stick, unfairly so much of the time. There's a bit of snobbery about her (& the other BTF dancers) sometimes. She's a great dancer, a good partner and she gets bashed for flashy choreography but her record has been pretty good.

I like this pro lineup - there are a couple I can take or leave, but for the most part, as long as they put in the effort, I'm happy for them to stay.

When did Kyle turn Pro ?

This in spades. I started watching Strictly because of Anton - way back near the beginning - his is the only training video I watch (I'd watch others if they weren't so awful nowadays). All my friends love him and don't give a stuff if his Latin is weak (most of them can't tell anyway). My favourite male pros are Anton, Kevin and Tristan.

If I had to choose then I'd drop Brendan - because he really doesn't look interested any more.

My favourite female pros are Natalie and Kristina. Kind women who happily tackle the less skilled dancers and don't reek of desperation to win.

I'm in that minority too, I just could not get past her body shape which was too lean for me to enjoy her dancing.
I did not like Robin Windsor and agree that Anton's time is up.

I do not know the world of pro dancing so cannot recommend anyone!

I think of the men I would get rid of Anton and Brendan.

Women - Ola and Kristina.

I would also love all 3 Cliftons to go but would settle for just Joanne.

I would bring in fresh blood to replace them all.

I really don't think that Giovanni will be back next year.
I keep hoping that the Cliftons will disappear up their own backsides, and it WILL happen sooner or later.

Bring back Artem!!!

They can't get rid of Anton and Kristina, the show would implode

Yes, but in a good way