Len Goodman leaving Strictly

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bendymixer

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by Ellie_:
“Definitely needs someone with a strong background in latin and ballroom. One of the ex professional dancers would be my ideal choice as they would know what they were talking about, and be recognisable to viewers. Ian Waite would be the best choice imo. He toes the line between talking sensibly about the steps and mechanics and being funny really well on the wednesday warm up. He'd look great walking Darcy across the floor too!

Is Jason Gilkison a potential? He judges on other shows and is currently director of choreography on strictly.”

Or maybe Jason's ex dance partner and partner in BTF? Peta Roby

Jennifer_F

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by soapfan_1973:
“Angela Ripon would be a good call, a reference back to the original series in the 70s and 80s plus she is a trained ballroom dancer so does know her stuff.”

I don't belieive she is a trained ballroom dancer, I don't think that she would be able to add anything to the show at all. They need a strong personality with solid ballroom/latin experience.

Christopher D

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by Monkseal:
“From a casting point of view Anton would be the obvious replacement. He's exactly the same archetype as Len - old, male, traditionalist, doesn't like forrin nonsense or Political Correctness Gone Mad much, doesn't really "do" Latin, or any of that contempowaft nonsense, wears pyjamas and a nightcap to bed, naff sense of humour etc etc. The issue is that he's a pretty poor host and any time he's been asked to judge anything else before he's come across as pretty inarticulate and stilted. Most of his "witticisms" on Strictly are funny noises and silly faces and awkward gestures - he's not really one for full sentences. You'd have to get him a pretty good scriptwriter, probably better than Len's.

My preference out of the former pros would be for Karen Hardy because the woman can talk and has built up an appropriate amount of gravitas in terms of opinion with the viewers. I think there are others who could give it a good go but not many. I can't speak as to outside ballroom figures, although I think it definitely should be someone with a solid "ballroom and latin" resume.

Len himself I've liked more as the years have gone on, although he was never going to be my favourite judge. I think the personality balance of the panel shifted when Arlene left, and was replaced by first Alesha and then Darcey - female judges who could back the male contestants over the female ones without constantly sounding like they wanted to bork them. I think this freed Len up to be less "BLOKEY BLOKES SPORTSMEN WORRRGH DANCING'S FOR REAL MEN" and hence more bearable. His judging's been poor for at least a couple of series though - just non stop streams of YOU DUN YER BEST, ham-fisted innuendo, and attempts to make every comment somehow relate to the title of whatever song it was that was just danced to before giving one of the four scores he gives out (fewer in the earlier weeks).”

Agree with most of this. One of the judges has to have ballroom and Latin experience and I think they will likely go from within the "Strictly family". Anton is the most well known by the public and I am sure will want it. However by choosing Karen they will have an experienced judge, former Strictly pro winner and have a panel of equal sexes, two men, two women.

Now watch as Alesha Dixon is asked back

Jennifer_F

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by bendymixer:
“agree Jennifer - and don't think James would be a good fit for the show either”

Think I'd rather it be someone completely new to the viewers.

JohnStannard

13-07-2016

I think Ian will replace Len, want it to be Anton though, if it is Anton I hope this year he gets someone good so he can go out on a high

Sarah777

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by JohnStannard:
“I think Ian will replace Len, want it to be Anton though, if it is Anton I hope this year he gets someone good so he can go out on a high”

I feel the opposite. I would like Ian or Karen Hardy to replace Len, but I feel it will be Anton, don't like the guy.

bendymixer

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by Jennifer_F:
“Think I'd rather it be someone completely new to the viewers.”

will be interesting to see who it is - when I am home later will pm you re interesting conversation I had just after last series ended

Sarah777

13-07-2016

Just remembered, Gleb can replace Len. Such eye candy.

Jennifer_F

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by bendymixer:
“will be interesting to see who it is - when I am home later will pm you re interesting conversation I had just after last series ended ”

Thanks Bendy, look forward to hearing from you later. To be honest I would like one of the other judges to go too, so the producers can replace them with 2 qualified judges from the BB/LA world.

Jennifer_F

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by Sarah777:
“Just remembered, Gleb can replace Len. Such eye candy.”

Yes, he can sit there but say nothing

Not much knowledge there....

Bunthorne67

13-07-2016

Everyone is talking about a replacement judge as if it is a given. It probably will turn out to be so.

I would be quite interested to see no replacement made and the show soldiering on with just three judges, as has worked on DWTS. It would mean Craig's scores would have more impact with only two other scores to boost the contestant's overall total.

I doubt very much that will happen, though. On DWTS Len tended to be the lowest scorer of the three judges but his low scores were higher than Craig's are. Perhaps Craig's scores would have too much impact.

Just a thought!

Jennifer_F

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by Bunthorne67:
“Everyone is talking about a replacement judge as if it is a given. It probably will turn out to be so.

I would be quite interested to see no replacement made and the show soldiering on with just three judges, as has worked on DWTS. It would mean Craig's scores would have more impact with only two other scores to boost the contestant's overall total.

I doubt very much that will happen, though. On DWTS Len tended to be the lowest scorer of the three judges but his low scores were higher than Craig's are. Perhaps Craig's scores would have too much impact.

Just a thought! ”

It could work, but none of them are ballroom /latin trained so don't have nearly enough knowledge. I still cringe at most of their comments some years later.

21stCenturyBoy

13-07-2016

I wonder if they might give Adam Garcia a try? He's pretty BBC-friendly and judged the Aussie series for a bit.

Bunthorne67

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by Jennifer_F:
“It could work, but none of them are ballroom /latin trained so don't have nearly enough knowledge. I still cringe at most of their comments some years later.”

Ah, yes. A very good point, and well made.

Jennifer_F

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by Bunthorne67:
“Ah, yes. A very good point, and well made. ”

I know its bIlled as more of an entertainment show these days, but I feel the show does need one of two persons on the panel that have solid knowledge and experience, and know what they are talking about. It will be interesting to see who they select.

breppo

13-07-2016

There can be only one: Herr Joachim Llambi of the German version.
Still active as a professional judge on the big tournaments.
Brutally honest, but always fair, unlike some on the Strictly panel...
Hates faffin' abaaht even more than Len, but always blames it on the pro.
Can be a bit harsh on the celebs, but only if they deserve it.

The perfect replacement for Len.

Steve9214

13-07-2016

One more Clifton ??

Keith or Judy ??

Jennifer_F

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by breppo:
“There can be only one: Herr Joachim Llambi of the German version.
Still active as a professional judge on the big tournaments.
Brutally honest, but always fair, unlike some on the Strictly panel...
Hates faffin' abaaht even more than Len, but always blames it on the pro.
Can be a bit harsh on the celebs, but only if they deserve it.

The perfect replacement for Len.”

There are many judges in the UK that would fit the bill - some so harsh they have been known to almost reduce dancers to tears.....not that I want to see that necessarily, point being, we have more than a wealth of home grown talent here.

AntoniaA

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by Sue_Howarth:
“Joanne Clifton could work. She knows her stuff and was great on choreography corner.”

She's too stupid and embarrassing, all right on the dance floor.

Len will be a tough act to follow but I think Karen Hardy would be good, she has the experience. I wasn't keen on her as a pro partner (though of course she did win with Mark Ramprakash), but she'd be different as a judge. I think that is her forte.

Jennifer_F

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by AntoniaA:
“She's too stupid and embarrassing, all right on the dance floor.

Len will be a tough act to follow but I think Karen Hardy would be good, she has the experience. I wasn't keen on her as a pro partner (though of course she did win with Mark Ramprakash), but she'd be different as a judge. I think that is her forte.”

I can't agree with your comments here. I really don't think Jo is "stupid and embarrasing", I think that is rather rude. As for " all right on the dance floor"....she is amazing and a former World Ballroom Showdance Champion, of course. She has been involved in dance for her whole life and is a lovely lady, and a very talented one at that.
Karen also a former World Champion is/was a fabulous latin dancer and top adjudicator.Both of these ladies are fabulous, but as far as Jo is concerned, I would rather see her in the competition.

soapfan_1973

13-07-2016

Another name being mentioned a lot is Sir Matthew Bourne, the ballet choreographer although would TPTB want two ballet people on the panel?

bendymixer

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by soapfan_1973:
“Another name being mentioned a lot is Sir Matthew Bourne, the ballet choreographer although would TPTB want two ballet people on the panel?”

he is a fan of the show but not qualified in ballroom and latin - and as close friend of Kev Clifton's can you imagine conspiracy theories on here

Jennifer_F

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by bendymixer:
“he is a fan of the show but not qualified in ballroom and latin - and as close friend of Kev Clifton's can you imagine conspiracy theories on here”

Lets put Keith and Judy on the panel and see this forum go into meltdown

soapfan_1973

13-07-2016

That is true lol. ok I'll stick with my first option and go for Flavia

aggs

13-07-2016

Originally Posted by Jennifer_F:
“Lets put Keith and Judy on the panel and see this forum go into meltdown”

I guess the dance world is fairly small and most people will know each other or know people who know people ... but what happens in real life completions? Can/do relatives judge each other?

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