Love the show; increasingly perplexed by the undercurrents of crazy intolerance amongst certain diehard supporters. I wonder if the way to really enjoy SCD is to never read the DS forum. Then I can go back to the 'all one happy Strictly family' feeling

I have been thinking exactly this, I joined DS because I wanted to read bits of info about the show and for the Spoiler thread. I can't bear to read some if the comments now, so mean. Most of my family and friends don't look at any forums about the show and they totally enjoy watching on a week to week basis with no agenda other than to enjoy the dances. No politics or conspiracy theories.

Wont miss it, and the only show I put my phone off the hook for.... I used to love the Ice Skating too but sadly its no more.

I loved the ice-skating too, I really miss it. I do however watch the pros on Eurosport, The Grand Prixs, the Euros and The Worlds. I absolutely love ice-skating.

I love this show! Yes you get cross with it but as one of my American friends says one thing Brits do love to do is complain! In fact Strictly and Only Connect are the only two shows I watch every week without fail, I'm more of a box-set gal when it comes to watching tv.

I think it's just a very vocal minority that skews the tenor of the forum. It helps if you can zone out from the more shrill/acidic voices (not always possible, I'll admit).

I don't have the same affection for the show that I once had. It's been cheapened in the pursuit ratings and is the poorer for it. The VTs are so dire that I mute most of them and the BLOODY AWFUL music choices make a mockery of the dances - and I really don't appreciate that.

Still watching, though.

I love it , but I must say I prefered it a few years ago with less tacky props and dressing up . I loved the plain old dances and the pro dances that were just dances and not panto
Having said all that I wouldnt miss it for anything

Yes this!

Im amazed how seriouly some people take Strictly. It's an entertainment show, not a real dancing contest and it's not supposed to be taken seriously. They make no bones about its and neither should we. Its just a bit of fun to keep us going during the cold dark winter months. Most people watching arent from ballroom dancing backgrounds and just want to be entertained on a Saturday, they don't give a shit about how "authentic" a dance is or about pointed feet or heel leads. Harsh but true. In fact most versions of the show around the world have moved away from the ballroom element anyway.

This is a common theme on DS though. The Big Brother and X Factor forums are especially hateful.

I don't like it. I LOVE IT!! Look forward to it every year!

It's not just Saturday night entertainment, it's a fiercely fought competition, not so much between the dancers but between Strictly's "Rainbow Worrier" and whoever produces the X-Factor.
For them, it's all about ratings.

It's only worth recording and watching later now. Far too much "hype" introduced years ago to compete with X-Factor, as if anyone cared which show got the best ratings. I think the nonsense over the dance off, was because with two dancers between whom there was little to choose, the one considered who'd help the ratings more, went through. Jamelia really hasn't a fan base.

With a recording, you can skip through the bits you don't like and for me, they increase in number every year.

I'm happy to pay my license fee just for the sake of keeping SCD. I love it to a ridiculous level and it keeps me happy and entertained every day of the week over the winter months.

I would rather stick pins in my eyes than be a celebrity but i'd jump at the chance being one if it came with a strictly invitation

I'll say it very quietly, but...

...this is actually my favourite series of Strictly so far, including the Jamelia scandal.

It's just so memorable, and there are so many good dancers this year (Jay, Helen, Georgia, Katie, Kellie, Jamelia, Peter, Anita, and Ainsley all turned out at least one fantastic dance in my opinion), and there are so many storylines ("Oh god Anton has a good one, buckle yourself in" being my favourite so far), this series has actually made me love Strictly more.

Plus the whole Jamelia vs. Peter was such a ludicrous farce, and Jamelia handled it all with such sassy grace, I actually loved it.