Who choses the dances? I liked it years ago when every week there was either a Ballroom or Latin Dance done, as in everyone did one of two chosen dances, It was much easier to compare them.
I can't believe there has been a Paso Doble in the first week, surely thats a dance that needs building up to.

It's all about ratings, the contestants are just "fodder" in the battle with ITV.
Keep that in mind and all the odd stuff will fall into place.

I know ratings plays a big part, but I dont see how that makes a difference, in the first show people want to see the contestants staring their journey and been able to compare them as they all do a waltz or a cha cha for example is much easier.

So the follow up to the question then is who is it decides who gets which dance? as those that have had "hard dances" - eg the paso or the Tango, I would both have said were "popular" so therefore would have been fine with any dance

I feel the same, TC. I'd also like to know why the pro dancers don't get to choose the music? I hate the way that recent chart hits are used that don't fit the dance or the mood at all, just because the producers think the audience will like it - I don't!

Its down to the producers, I asked that at a Q&A once& that's the answer I got

Paso isn't more technical than other dances and doesn't have much in common with the other latin dances. So there is no reason why it can't be a week 1 dance. If they're going to mix it up a bit they might as well include it.

Just wouldn't put foxtrot or samba in week 1 (which they didn't).