Tess isn't downright bad.

But I'm constantly left thinking 'It could be bettter'

I guess Graham Norton is too busy to present everything.

Or Jeremy Clarkson.

He'd be good.

" Ten million viewers"

It sent broke.......do not fix it.

Bar Graham Norton the names you suggest couldn't hold it down, at all. Next you will suggest Olly Murs.

better get some hot food in, or there will be a fight.

"Neither should be the frontmen for such a major programme."

As you refer to gender in your post, this they will never be.
More generally, I don't feel strongly either way - I think T and C work fine together, and yes, sometimes Tess annoys me but I get annoyed at other presenters too, it's par for the course. I like it that the BBC have had the courage and sense to try two female presenters - the judging panel is weighted to the men, after all.
The other thing is that this is a live show. Presenting a live show is DIFFICULT. You are not only needing to be 'sparkly and fun' but extremely on the ball and able to deal with any possible problem (which in a live dancing show with lifts, props etc. is scarily possible - see Ed and Katya this week). Plus, all the time you're talking you are listening to a constant stream of information inn your ear from the gallery, including someone counting up and down, estimates of how long the show is running for, and 'notes' from the director. So let's take all this into consideration and actually give them some credit. It ain't an easy job!

I tend to agree that Tess had an off night last night, and she has annoyed be a lot this series by constantly arguing with Craig over his remarks, even more so than she used to in previous series. However last night was an aberration to a degree with the missing Brendan and Laura having to take a bye. They were obviously scrambling to fill the time her dance and VT would have taken. She is much better than Bruce though, so that's a silver lining and I love Claudia, she is so funny and always makes me laugh.

However having been a fan of DWTS and Strictly for many years there is a glaring difference in the shows hosts. Tom Bergeron over on DWTS is smooth, funny, warm and gets on with the judges while still able to defend a contestant politely if need be. He is the epitome of a good host. Tess in contrast is loud, defends the contestants like she is defending her best friend and constantly does the 'they are on their feet' and the ever annoying 'look, look, take it all in' as if the contestants have suddenly gone blind and can't see the audience on their feet. It probably doesn't help that she has the producers muttering in her ear all the time which might distract her. When it comes down to it she simply might not have the experience or the temperament to be a good host for such a big, constantly changing show like this. Bergeron is 61 and has been in the business all his adult life. Maybe they need someone older, calmer and more in control to be the front host on the show.

Great post!

BBC's top two programmes are fronted by all female hosts. I don't think they care that some people on a forum are missing a man up front & centre.

You really think Julian Clary, Bradley Walsh or ANTON would do a better job? Sorry, I can't take that seriously at all.

Tess & Claudia are doing fine - they have good weeks and bad weeks but they realise that it's not all about them and I appreciate that.

As for Darcey - she's one of the few judges who consistently gives constructive advice on what the celebs can improve, so I don't think she should go either.

BIB I have to admit there was a couple of times I thought that last night. Particularly when she kept interjecting when the judges (mostly Craig) said something she didn't agree with.

Having said that I like them both and no-one is going to be perfect and certainly no-one is going to be to every viewers taste, so personally I can live with the little irritations because overall it works just fine. I think getting a new head judge next year may well shake things up a bit - if they added a new producer into the mix, one who actually listened to what the viewers like and don't like preferably. That would probably be all that is needed. Too much change in one go could alienate the strong fan base.

Spot on. Having kept an eye on the marking stats this year, Darcey's perceived bias towards the male contestants simply isn't true. She's the fairest marker out of all of them if you look at the big picture. Bruno is VERY biased towards the female dancers and Len tends to favour the males.

I 100% disagree, Tess and Claudia work so well together! The puns and jokes are obviously discussed with them so it's not like the autocue is down to them each week. Tess is the more professional presenter, whereas Claudia brings her natural charisma to the show and you can tell all of the celebrities and pros love chatting to her.

I think the two of them and Zoe on ITT are perfect and I wouldn't change them.

Zoe and Ian should take over from Tess and Claudia if we are taking Total Rehaul.

But...

I have a soft spot for Claudia. Her off the cuff comments are very good.

Tess...we play a game in our house where we shout TESSBOT whenever we see her being Tess. (I know, we need to get a life). Usually when there's a 2,3,4 awkward pause while she tries to work out a response, or more recently when she's taken to parrotting What? or repeating what a judge has said or trying to diss Craig. Tis excruciating to watch, bless her.

*sees Jeremy Clarkson mentioned as a viable alternative to Tess and Claudia*

*runs SCREAMING out of thread*

That's a point. Mel and Sue are going to have some time on their hands quite soon. And Mel hosted the tour last year (and was pretty decent doing it).

I think Tess and Claudia (Claudia in particular) are fine. Tess is what she is - a competent, if fairly uninspiring, live presenter. She's efficient and relatively unobjectionable - she's a safe pair of hands. Claudia's more of an individual choice (I really like her) but I think that works well to offset Tess' capable blandness.

I've mellowed.

in previous years when this sort of thread is started I've suggested Frankie Boyle.

In my opinion "the Rainbow Worrier," is only concerned about ratings. If this means in the quest to attract more viewers as it has done in the past, adding more irritating nonsense that moves it further away from a ballroom dancing competition, then it will continue to happen.

She's already attempting to attract more teenage viewers with the addition of a new "professional," a kid hardly old enough to shave.

And succeeding.

From the ratings thread- Strictly 10.07 million, X Factor 5.94 million.

Gap now more than 4 million (same last week)

Are the awkward jokes really Tess' fault or down to the writers? Poor girl looks embarrassed half the time to be having to do them. Brucie could cope with it by reverting to his well- rehearsed silly arse persona. Tess doesn't stand much chance really.

Claudias cringeworthy jokes certainly need to be got rid of, totally unfunny, i know shes only doing whats scripted for her but it really grates.

Sorry Penelope, I agree with Janet above. If you watch clips from the Bruce era now you can see how much slicker the show is now. Tess and Claudia don't have to do much and I wouldn't want them taking the focus from the stars or pros or judges. Last night's show was a bit dull but that's what happens in any kind of competition.

Tess and Claudia are fine in the show. The only reason to change them as hosts would be if Tess or Claudia wanted to leave.

I think actor/tv presenter Rob Brydon - currently presenting BBC 1's Would I Lie To You panel show - would be a great presenter of SCD.

Tess is not my cup of tea at all. She comes acroass as cold and false. There's nothing I find welcoming in her at all. She oversteps when the critique is in progress and should really be advised to stay quiet.

Safe she may be - inspiring and spontaneous she certainly isn't, which I feel are imperative aspects of live presenting.

Tess is terrible. A bizarre combination of leaden, wooden and plastic. She is a third grade host and it shows. Doing live TV, keeping it on the rails and trouble shooting if anything goes wrong is not easy - hence why there are very few likely replacements. But almost anyone would be better than Tess, who lacks the most necessary skill to do it - the capacity to think on your feet. The Newzoids Tessbot sketch works so well because it homes in on that.

I love Claudia but Tess's complete inability to be a decent straight man is making it tougher for her to do her schtick and make it work. Last night was awful. I hate to say it, but this is the first Strictly I have been bored by and I have been watching it from the start. Too many ringahs, a horde of stage school graduates with zero personality and way too much plain-as-the-nose-on-your-face mark manipulation by the judges.

Would we be happier if the celebrities stayed to dance for the whole series but each week we could vote out one of the presenters/judges/singers?

Tess can do a competent job if she were aware of some basic points.

She should just introduce the couples at the beginning of each dance, and afterwards link to the Judges That's all that is needed from a presenter. She can do that part very well and, in that respect, is ideal for the show.


She cannot, and will never, master any comedy content.

She should never, never, interrupt the Judges and she should show them respect.

Her opinion on dancing is, at best, a very amateur level, and is not part of her brief.

She has no idea what the audience at home is thinking about any couple, so why make inane comments to that effect.

She should stop her continual mauling, (sorry there is not other way to describe it), and hand-holding of celebs, both male and female. In today's workplace that is grounds for harassment complaints. Apart from which many people do not like such close personal contact. Try it round at your local supermarket when you querying a price on the shelf.