What makes you think Karen may not return?

...I'm fairly sure they mean that Karen's the most likely to stay...

Sorry, meant she's the biggest cert to stay.

I'd like her to return as well. Whatever about her personal life, she's always brilliant with her celebrity no matter what their talent level is like.

My mistake. with the thread asking "who would not return" I misread your post .

Yes my dream would be that Kristina wins next year. However I'm afraid they won't give her a younger partner which would be so unfair

I think it's time for Anton to go, he's been way over the top this year, and he wasn't a very good partner to Katie, all of this "year of the Anton" stuff seemed to go straight to his head

The judges as well, we need a new lot, scoring etc. was not good this year

I'm worried about Gleb, with the judges always complaining about his choreography, he might leave for somewhere where it's welcomed (unless there are new judges or he decides to hold back a bit)

Wouldn't be too surprised if Aliona and Brendan left

I really don't get the Clifton comments. Karen and Joanne are criticised for being related to Kevin? He is criticised for being related to them?

Ola has gone and Christina is probably going. Gleb, apparently, has a track record of staying in competitions like this for just one year, but I hope he stays. Anton has finally had his moment of glory, and Brendan's was years ago, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them go - although I expect Anton to remain with the show in some capacity.

Then there is the question of the judges. They have been criticised for the inconsistency of their marking. It just takes sharp eyes and an alert mind to identify errors and breakages of rules, but the artistic impression is another matter altogether. That is a subjective assessment. Craig could have slaughtered Kellie and Kevin for their Oom-Pah-Pah Viennese Waltz, but he chose to praise them instead - and he was right to do so, in my opinion. I think Bruno comes in for some undeserved stick in this forum. All right he goes over the top with his flamboyance and clowning, but when he settles down to give serious advice, his comments are well thought-out and helpful. The guy is fluent in six languages and a respected choreographer. He is far from incompetent. As for Len, he has become more and more crotchety this series, and his reactions to the boos do him no favours. I went off him a year ago when he eliminated Pixie in controversial circumstances. The question is, however, who would replace him?

Anyone else think this thread was going to be a massive huffy flounce-fest?

Much as I have loved Anton over the last 13 series, and I was delighted to see him in the final at last, I'm afraid I think that this should be his swan song. He just doesn't cut it with the younger pros any more, and even as a fan, I can see that his Latin really isn't up to scratch. Tristan had a role on DWTS where he took on the older ladies/ duffers, and I think he could be Anton's replacement in that department.

As for the others? I think Kristina has danced her last dance, and the Clifton (well Kevin's mainly) unpopularity must be making it difficult for the producers. I don't think Gleb will be back either - he hasn't stayed long on any of othe DWTS shows he's done before, and it's clear Len doesn't like his choreography. He was lucky he got such a gung ho celebrity with Anita this year - not many could, or would have done some of the things he put in for her!

I think the Clifton's are only unpopular on this forum, remember DS is not representative of public opinion. Kevin in particular I think is very popular in the real world, as much as his haters on here won't like to admit it. If Anton and Brendan were to leave he'd probably be the most recognisable male pro left on the show to non diehard fans.

I think Gleb wants to come back from reading his Twitter, whether or not he will remains to be seen though. I think he only ever had duffers on the other DWTS, apart from in Russia obviously. And I think he likes the attention he gets over here.

I think Len wil retire and be replaced by Brendan. Brendan has judged in the Australian version and is IMO a safer pair of hands than Anton.
I think we have seen all Gleb has to offer, not sure he will be back.
Ola is out as will be Kristina if she does celebrity big brother.

I do not think Gleb will be back as he does not play by the rules and is a bit me me me.

There's a story in today's Sunday Mirror that not only is Gleb coming back next year but the BBC are looking at his wife, Elena Samodanova, as a possible replacement for Ola Jordan. She's a Russian dance champion herself and has appeared in the American and Australian versions of the show.

Of the rest Kristina might have danced her last Strictly, Anton and possibly Brendan too as I don't think either of them will get anywhere near the final again as the younger pro's will get the best celebs. Aliona might decide to go out on a high as the only pro to win it twice, but it will be her decision she won't be booted off.

I think all the judges will return, although as I've said many times before I'd like Karen Hardy to replace Len as head judge.

I would like Aliona to be a judge. Two female and two male judges would be a better balance. Maybe each week a judge opens the show with them dancing with a pro on the show.

If Len was to leave believe they would replace with a credible latin/ballroom judge of which there are many many, do not think they will use a pro off the show

I had a feeling she'd join the show next year, won't be surprising to me.

I think I could live with Brendan as a judge, but please not Anton!

I hope Anton and Gleb don't return. I wouldn't be surprised if Aliona calls it quits now given she's now undoubtedly the most successful pro in the show's history. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Kristina leave.

I don't think Natalie will leave but wouldn't be surprised if either she or Karen got pregnant and as a result sit next year out. I think the rest of the girls will stay and Joanne will get a celeb next year.

I wouldn't particularly miss Brendan if he left. I think the pro guys I haven't already mentioned will all stay.


that's not a fact at all - there's nothing to say Natalie wouldn't get a contender next year. She happens to be very good at teaching duffers, but it's not just about that.

I know they are def auditioning for male pro for the show don't know how many but know they are looking for at least one as I know someone who has been asked to audition

agreed with Natalie (like Kevin to some extent) who she is partnered with is governed by height and if there was a tall contender think she would get him - and there seems in every season to be more male duffers than female - which is why the girl pros on a whole deal with more duffers than their male counterparts

I think Anton is going myself. He'll stay with the show, just not partnering a celeb,

If Len goes I'd rather see Darren Bennett become a judge, he was a fine dancer and has been out of the performing arena for some time, plus he is also a judge on a version somewhere (it was on ITT, cannot remember where), plus he is a total gentleman.

I'm amazed at the Aliona will quit posters. Why would she, just because she's won it again? If she wants to start a family now, it would be a good time but she's still quite young and may want to dance for a few years yet.

Just because they're auditioning doesn't mean they'll actually hire anyone - they may simply be looking at who's potentially available rather than having a specific number of new hires in mind.

Len is so stuck in the past ...you have to give some movement in dances.

This year he came across as a miserable old goat who obviously had a favourite and when it was becoming clear that his favourite was getting hammered in the polls by Jay he became even more unbearable...time to go Len.