Anton is terrible at Latin dances.. his latin routines with Katie were so poorly choreographed.. Katie had so much talent.. but Anton FAILED to bring the best outta Katie. & gosh his smile is creepy as hell!

& Brendan is a torture to watch.. it feels like someone's forcing him to do the show & he's doing a favor on the viewers by being on the show!! He looks so disinterested & grumpy most of the times.. & his choreography is mediocre at best.

Wonder wtf strictly TPTB are smoking by keeping these 2 over a freakin' GLEB!! or Trent!!

But all these BS apart, i'm glad TPTB have roped in new pros.. hope within next season, these 2 are kicked out for good!

I've been wondering this myself. Actually I don't mind Brendan so much, although I think he's just going through the motions now and can't be arsed anymore. Like you say, if they let Gleb go for allegedly not showing much enthusiasm about coming back you have to wonder why they keep hold of Brendan don't you?

Anton really needs to just piss off and leave though. His latin is embarassing, he looks like a drunk dad at a wedding night do during the pro dances and he's shown himself to be a lousy teacher when given someone with potential.

Anton is there because they need someone to partner the "older" celeb and Anton is perfect for that

Brendan - not sure tbh - I like him but but I do feel his heart isnt 100% in it anymore

My opinions of Anton are well known how he is still there is beyond me he just can't keep up anymore. I don't mind Brendan but he does seem less interested as each season goes by

Still feel Gleb and Trent didn't return because their other halves not offered parts on show

They're both still there because they're popular and recognisable, and have been there since Day 1. Trent on the other hand was only picked up in the first place because Robin got injured and wasn't popular with the public, and Gleb...well Gleb hasn't lasted for more than one series of any of the versions of the show he's done, and he's done a lot, which does suggest rather that it's not them, it's him.

I like the fact that they're still there as a link to how the show used to be.

Anton gets a lot of criticism on here but, Laila aside, all his partners seem to love him and have a great experience on the show. if you go on without any expectation to win its probably much nicer to be partnered with him and have a gentle few weeks of pressure-free fun than end up with one of the more competitive pros like Fern Britton, who had a much different experience on Strictly than she was expecting.

I now have no time for Anton (If you can't tell that already) at lest when Brendan got Sophie in S11 he produced some of the highlights of the series, upped his choreography to nearly Kelly levels with only Jive and Freestyle (should have done a Disco routine) being duds and embraced the Neo Charleston which turned out sort of alright didn't it?

In fact Anton NOT getting 10s in Foxtrot (had the potential of being a 40) and American Smooth highlighted shortcomings. The Viennese Waltz was a lucky fluke as that they had time for the pivots at the end to go from 8 to 13. Rumba was good but it was more her than him. Tango was the music. Jive was Week 1 shock that she could dance.

I keep saying my friend who has watched since series one, but goes off and does other things in the off season can really only remember Anton with any certainty and Brendan at a push at the start of the new series. Things gradually come back (where's him with the teeth? Has he gone? I liked him ... what about thingy? You know? Partnered whassherface from Corrie) over the course of the launch show - but I'd have money on her not being able to remember most of the pros who have only done one or 2 series.

Artem?

Artem again? Jarred?

Why are Anton and Brendan still on SCD??? To flog their tour tickets, the real money earner, that's why.

Just so

The audience know who they are and like them. As aggs says many people who are 'casual' viewers recognise Anton and Brendan.

Long time viewers like the continuity.

Anton in particular is popular with celebrities - and if Strictly can't attract good, varied celebrities it will lose viewers.

Spot on I would say plus Anton works well with ladies of a certain age who can't dance - they all love him so he must be doing something right !

this. I don't think Ann widdicombe could've coped with someone like Brendan or James Jordan& Anton was the perfect pro for her

Having watched all 13 series I'm someone who likes the continuity of both being on the show. And I know he was a Latin specialist but I love Brendan's ballroom, routines he choreographed for Sophie and Lisa particularly stick in my mind. He still produces that Strictly magic.

I loved watching Anton and Erin dance together when they were both on the show, it was nice to see her back (very briefly) last series and he was a good partner to Katie and his other celebs. Katie was wonderful in ballroom (with Aljaz at the Proms too) but I don't think she either wanted to be pushed hard at Latin or would have achieved more with another pro. She'd likely have left the comp sooner and seemed to have a ball with Anton.

I feel like Brendan's just hanging on in there, hoping for one last contender who has an easygoing personality and can inspire him to put a bit of effort in, like Sophie. Although judging by how over it all he looked with even a mid-range-with-potential contestant like Sunetra, he's batting for someone who's really good. I wouldn't hold my breath.

Your friend is just like my husband:
"The old one"- Anton
"Him with the big head" - Brendan

I'd have loved Ann Widdecombe with Brendan or James.

I agree that both are there because they are popular with the viewers, especially Anton (sigh). I completed Monkseal's online poll about the pro dancers and had more than one "who?!?!" moment.

First


I think that the show wants to maintain a sense of familiarity; these 2 have been there since the very beginning; yes the pros dont make the show but quite a lot of the audience are used to them. It is what it is.

I like the fact that Anton and Brendan are still on the show. I think it's great that 2 dancers from series 1 are still there.

It's nice to have a mix of different pros. They don't all need to be young or from BTF.

To be mentors for the newcomers and you need something for everyone.

Anton seems to be very popular with his celebs. I'm not sure why people forget that as it's important for the celebs to enjoy the show. Brendan, not always so popular is he?

With the even younger Pros joining this year they will look even more out of place than before, especially Anton, who is old enough to be some of their dads, I think!

There is some argument for Brendan to be still there (he could partner the older ladies now) if he could reach deep inside himself to drum up the slightest bit of enthusiasm for the show but Anton is well past his sell by date and his cheesiness is sickening.

They must be there (on their part) to sell tickets for their respective shows but why the BBC still want them is beyond me.

Strictly sells itself as a family show which appeals to all ages, so why shouldn't there be some older pros? Personally, I would like to see an older female pro on the show too.

After all, there is a real mix of ages with the celebs.

Anton and Katie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKl_MUARswk

KIRSTY! ........ & brendan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h21oZcirIKw

Anton has had some tough gigs, but he seems to be able to make something happen - maybe not a Samba though....