Bring Arlene back

No, if a relative is on the floor the judge leaves for that competition

Jennifer have pmd you

Hi Ruby!

For the life of me, I don't understand people here mentioning James Jordan. Aren't they aware of the bridges he exploded after he left? I'll be the next Prime Minister before JJ gets anywhere near the BBC ever again, they probably have a restraining order against him.

Its not small really, its just that the same names get banded around on here - the same people that appear or have appeared on the show or relatives thereof.

Thanks Bendy - I did reply, perhaps it takes a while to come through?

Cool. Thank you
So either of the senior Cliftons technically would be a bit of a no-no if normal rules were applied.

Going to stick my two-penneth in.

I'm gutted. I love Len. He's a traditionalist and the only one with a Latin and ballroom background. I will miss him.

As far as replacements go ...

Anton: obviously I adore him. He'd make a wonderful judge and I'd have him on my telly every weekend. But I'd miss seeing him dance. Kinda torn.

Ian Waite: I love him and like Anton he'd be brilliant. But it's doubtful if he was made judge we'd still get him on ITT and I'd miss him there with his Wednesday warm up and his chemistry with Zoe. So I'd say no.

Karen: she's ok. But marmite. I could be happy I think if she got it. But I'm not sure she would do it due to get other commitments. She does miss a few weeks of ITT each year.

Any former contestant: JUST NO

Donny Osmond: EVEN MORE NO

Anyone called Clifton: NO NO NO NO NO AND MORE NO NO NO. JUST NO. NO.
I like Jo but she needs her time as a pro. The other two can disappear into oblivion for all I care.

But the winner is (for me)

Erin Boag: I'd love this. She was great on ITT when she's filled in. I'd love to see her back on the show and this would be perfect for her. She's also got a decent dance background. She'd be my choice. Make it happen SCD!

I think Ian Waite would be a very good replacement for len with Darcey being head Judge

No Americans please. I don't want Strictly becoming any more DWTS-sy than it already is.

No former contestants. Alesha was out of her depth and so will others be.

No Cliftons. I don't need to explain why.

No Arlene. She was the worst judge in her previous era.

No Donny Osmond type character. We already have OTT in the form of Bruno.

A former pro would be fine. One like Erin, Ian, Darren, Karen...with a big enough profile to be a 'name' but not to overshadow the panel. I'd even settle for Anton if it meant he didn't inflict his Latin on us

It's got to be Anton? Surely? Dancers have a half life, and he turns 50 this year. He's got to the final, done his show dance, done all he can really hope to do other than win it, and I doubt he'll get a female ringer, so he's got to be nearer the end than the start.

If not, Camilla has been road tested on the live tours, and Karen is an obvious choice with her experience on ITT. And then Erin/Ian are also realistic ex pros. That's my top 5 possibilities, anyway.

Glad he's going. And a big "Hell, no" to Anton (Why is he still there? Does he have the negatives ) or more Cliftons.

I'd lay odds on it being someone the SCD viewers already know. But that's quite a broad choice. I was in the Ian camp, until someone mentioned Matt Cutler. Though if there's a bigger night of the long knives (unlikely), I'd love a 4-up of Craig, Flavia, Ian and Matt.

Why does it have to someone already connected to the show? I would love them to bring in someone new from the Ballroom/Latin danceworld, to freshen things up. Someone not afraid to say it how it is.

Karen is an international ballroom judge so would be the ideal choice but I reckon it will be Anton.

No Darcey as head judge, shes dreadful enough as she is

BIB Lol to continue with the jokey theme you could say that il be president of my college union before JJ gets back to SCD on the judges (I didn't get it this time but got a couple of college years left?)?? Lol

I think its nice that there are lots of potential candidates who would bring in distinctive qualities to the judging table, and that it would be good if they were given an opportunity to be on the panel.

For me, the individual to assume the title of head judge, would need to be someone who would be able to bear the burden and heavy responsibility of making difficult decisions. The barometer would be whether if he/she can arrive to a balanced, discerning decision - for instance, when choosing between two couples in a heated dance-off deep into the dancing season.

Aside from winning professional competitions and a nice resume, has this person been in a similar (but rare) situation in the past? Can they cope with the pressure and the aftermath? True, while the show is part entertainment, the celebrity, their partner, pro dancers and the public would have a measure of vested interest in the outcome of any decision (big or small). Hopefully the replacement will have the necessary requisites and temperament to carry out the judging duties.

Or, just do away with the dance off ...

BIB Totally agree. Sadly there is more American influence through the back door.

I keep wondering about Anton, and why he didn't retire with grace after his excellent series last year - and then I remember that Ruth Langsford is a pretty safe bet for the show this year. She's definitely one of those celebs that would put a specific clause that she was dancing with a specified partner, if she took part. However, given his 50th birthday is in a week's time, that has to be his final run of the show, surely, before they find 'alternative employment' for him!

He's basically the most likely pick for Len's job, however much other people are well-qualified. I am of the opinion that Anton is best in small doses, whilst dancing and keeping his mouth shut. He can gurn and flap around all he wants as a pro-dancer, hamming it up for the cameras, but I still have my doubts that he can string enough intelligent sentences together to make a decent judge (the scriptwriters will be a lot busier with him than they were with Len!).

Strictly's great strength has been hitting the winning formula from the start and then having the wisdom to make as few changes as possible. People tend to dislike change and whatever you may think about Len, he is a big part of the legend and its the passage of time that is forcing this. Its hugely important who they choose here and I don't think any candidate is a shoe in. Anton can be funny, but only in small doses, and if he continually plays the fool, it will be a turn off. The judges have largely worked like a dream over time -the chemistry has to be right. Thy don't want any X Factor style musical chairs.

You can have Derek Hough. Nobody in the US wants him anymore.

In theory he's a bit busy doing his own US-based dance show. Although supposedly the ratings have fallen this year so perhaps he'd be available if the show gets canceled.

Oti dancers on the German Strictly and her sister is a judge

I suppose having to be impartial about your son, daughter and daughter-in-law could be seen as a bit of an ask?