Like you I would love to see some of todays' top dancers do dems on Strictly, but on the other hand I can understand why many wouldn't want to do it. Strictly is mainly aimed at non-dancers looking for a bit of lively Saturday night family entertainment. What many (NOT ALL) know about dancing comes from what they see on Strictly, which is hardly conducive to what top competitive dancers do, so in many (again NOT ALL) viewers eyes it is the competitive dancers who are wrong, not the Strictly pros partnered by beginners (i.e. Joanna & Michael?).

Fully agree. I can understand IF the budget doesn't allow for a dem by a non-Strictly pair, but they have so many Pro's at their disposal on the show , I really don't know why they don't feature them on a (so called) dance show. You are right as I'm sure the Pro's would love to show everyone what they can do, in addition to the group number.
People go on about the ratings for SCD and have a " if it ain't broke why fix it" attitude, but the show could be greatly improved so very easily in an instant making the right changes.

I do see what you mean and you are quite right if course. The M & J dem fell bit flat with most of the non dancing public, more's the pity, However, I do recall an absolutely beautiful dem by Jo Bolton and Tim Howson....could hardly breathe though it, as it was so effortlessly smooth . Not sure how that went down, but I LOVED it...perhaps again, non dancing viewers can't see what us dancers can.

I don't think it should be that difficult to predict those professional dancers who will translate well from the competitive dance floor to small screen and receive a more positive response from the audience. I think Michael and Joanna have a very distinctive style which is at one end of the spectrum, and so were always going to have a very mixed response.

Also any ballroom performance may have to have a bit of kerpow about it to appeal to the casual viewer but that doesn't mean it can't also be high quality.

I don't remember Timothy H and Joanne B doing Strictly.

[quote=Ann_Dancer;80343733.

I don't remember Timothy H and Joanne B doing Strictly.[/QUOTE]

Yes, it was one of the very early series, a wonderful slow fox....she wore a beautiful white dress. It was just beautiful to watch, so smooth and technically perfect as you would expect.

Yes, apparently 2007. It really annoys me how videos of old Strictly episodes are unattainable.

Really hoped when Joanne Clifton joined Strictly they'd persuade her and Paolo Bosco to demonstrate part of their World Championship dance - it was stunning, even to a non-dancer like me.

Suppose it's too long ago for them to do it now.