Seeing Erin made me remember what a good teacher she was. She used to change her teaching style to suit.

She was quite forceful with sportsmen - who were used to that style of training - but so gentle with Julian Clary, who needed support. (He said in a TV interview he came over 'all heterosexual' when Erin was paired up with Colin Jackson the year after.)

Erin even babysat for Austin Healey!

She stayed friends too - Julian Clary went to her wedding.

Aliona seems to have the same knack - friends with Tony Jacklin, supportive with Jay, pushing Matt Baker.

Aljaz seems to cope with different types of celebrity too - though he always seems gentle.

(Am leaving Greg Wallace and Richard Arnold out of this )

Yes, Erin was one of the best in my opinion. She also appeared to be one of the nicest, most genuine professionals ever to appear on the show. A classy lady.

I loved Matthew Cutler as a pro on SCD the most. Not even mentioning his dance credentials, he was an exceptionally patient tutor with his celebs and apart from the ones knocked out first thing he established some lovely friendships as a result.

I loved the relationship between him and Alesha and how he contained (rather than controlled like other Pros may have done) her natural mad side. Watching their training clips was a real joy.

I agree re Erin. Special mention also for Anya - she was only there for one series, but I thought she did brilliantly with Patrick

Erin got exceptional results out of all levels of celeb. Ricky Groves for e.g. was not talented but she achieved marvels with him and Julian Clary as others have mentioned. Katya and Flavia were very good teachers in my opinion as well. Vincent got a lot out of different levels of ability too.

Erin and Aliona.
Eta and Flavia
Eta and Matthew

Vincent

Flavia

Kristina

Erin

Aliona

Surely Artem should get a mention!

Matthew Cutler for me was the best male pro on strictly, obviously he and Alesha were dynamite but I quite liked him with Christine too, remember they went on holiday and stuff and although not the greatest dancer he showed great class when teaching her

Loved Katya too particularly with Phil Tufnell

It has to be between Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe for me

Agree with everything in your post. I too was disappointed that Anya only did the one series. She did two absolute showstoppers with Patrick when she choreographed the QS and Charleston and I was disappointed that we didn't see either routine danced again in the final.

I would also liked to have seen Trent do another series as I loved everything he choreographed for Pixie.

Matthew Cutler was the best, he was wonderful, I missed him a lot when I was still watching.

There was something magical about watching him dance, and he always brought out the best in his partners.

Another vote for Anya

Lovely Lilia Kopylova, hands down.

1st with Darren Gough, 2nd with Matt Dawson, 4th with Aled Jones - and none of these were natural born dancers, but she prised the very best out of them.

Of her three no hopers, she gets 1st prize for not decking Dom Littlewood who had something of a penchant for her rear end, a Certificate of Merit for getting a brilliant tango out of Don Warrington, and then there was Richard Dunwoody.......A genius horseman - but not cut out for the dancefloor!!

Strictly has always been the poorer for her absence.

Agree with Fuschia. Lilia by a mile.

Artem, no question about it

It's really difficult to say because when you think what's asked of them, I think the pros are all amazing. Erin and Lilia were the first two people who came to my head. Ian was always great as well. But really they all were - I'm very fond of almost all of them past and present. The show was a little different in Lilia and Erin's heyday though, with more focus on technique - imo - so the focus of the teaching had to be different.

Of the pros this year, Aliona, Aljaz and the new three stand out for me - but now the show is more of a test of choreography than teaching maybe - coming up with exciting new choreography that your celeb can do when you can't choose the music or the styling, rather than teaching the basics and showing it off?

Then again perhaps I was just a more trusting viewer and just naively believed they were learning all the basics back in the day.

Aliona hasn't been great with the less talented celebs she has been given. It's no challenge to teach people like Jay who have had training. Even then, he often feels like a prop for her.

Yes, Natalie for me. What she did with Michael was miraculous.

this x 10

honorable mentions to Aliona and Natalie for the girls

Pasha has grown in stature with me over the years - for the boys

Vincent Artem and Erin

Erin and Natalie

I think Kristina is definitely worth a mention. She always seems to get the best out of her partners - even her first year with John or this year with Daniel. I think last year was a testament to this - she really refined Simon from someone mid-table to a near-champion.

Can't argue with this - she gets a Very Honourable Mention from me too. That charming waltz from John, and who could forget the iconic paso?

Lilia Kopilator