I liking that he seems to be picking up on/explaining more technical steps this series either in Len's lens or from the judging. It really adds to the understanding of the dance and something I think was missed before. I also didn't realise he was so well versed in latin as well.

It's also made me realise how basic Craig's comments are, does he actually know any moves specific to the dance?

Someone of Len's calibre must be Head Judge next series.

I am enjoying that aspect of Len too and, in that respect, it is a shame he is off.

As you say, a varied knowledge is essential for the role of Head Judge.

Funnily enough, I was just watching the following video for the first time ever - and Len shows there is no fooling him, even in Latin. And before I get lambasted, I did learn that there were eventual extenuating circumstances involved in the lack of Kelly & Brendan's training, which were clearly not known to the judges at the time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-buicD6ffs

It's been mentioned before on here by someone with inside knowledge, that in Craig's early days when he appeared on ITT, his critiques of the techniques of the various couples, were scripted for him by a professional ballroom judge, (and they named him) because he knew naff-all about judging ballroom.
I don't think he's progressed much further since.

I don't think Len's all that, most of the professionals are more highly qualified at dance than he is. He's the Gregg Wallace of the dance world, he's made a career out of 'liking stuff and not liking stuff'.

He's not committed to the show that made him, either. Like Paul Hollywood he's followed the money.

John Byrnes - Claire Sweeney's partner in Series 1

Well Len was a ballroom dancer himself, runs a very successful dance school in Dartford in Kent, and is a fully qualified Ballroom and Latin judge, so I don't don't know how anyone can doubt his level of knowledge.

Craig SOUNDS as though he knows what he's talking about, but if you actually listen to what he's saying, the technical stuff he spouts is nearly always ballet related, which is why he resorts to critiquing thumbs and banana hands..... minor things which don't really matter....

They definitely need the new judge to have real knowledge of Ballroom and Latin dancing like Len does, not yet another know- nothing show choreographer!

BiB as a competitor Len was actually known more for Latin than ballroom. What he doesn't know about both styles isn't worth knowing!

was just coming on to defend him too but you have done it so well

Haha - great minds and all that, Bendy.

To be honest, I wasn't so much defending him, just stating a fact, because - For Once - this thread is actually not Len Bashing as usual.

This is very true as Craig needed help in his assessments of couples.

I fully agree Carol. I actually like Len on the panel as despite what many think, he really does know what he is talking about. I wish they had at least 2 or 3 ballroom/latin judges on the panel but I doubt that will happen

Bit too much like a pantomime villain.

Not only has Len got the knowledge, he talks like a cabbie as well.

Indeed. In ALL of the ballroom dances, they are ALL based on basic groups and variations. I doubt very much that Craig would even recognise them, never mind know what they are called. Same goes for the latin dances.

Len Goodman
1. Examiner for the National Association of Teachers of Dance .
2.Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance .
3. Adjudicator for the World Dance Council, British Dance Council, Ballroom Dancers’ Federation .
4.Founder member of the International Dance Sport Judges and Trainers Association .

Len has received various awards in the UK, including a Life Achievement Award for his work in dance and two Carl Allen Awards .

Genuine question, what do you mean he's not committed to the show that made him? I thought he's been on Strictly since the beginning, or are you talking about a different show?

Made me chuckle that post!

Len gives his comments then I wait til Choreography Corner on ITT to find out what he meant lol. He definitely knows his stuff, it's a shame he has to be grumpy and be super sensitive when people boo (sometimes before they've even done it!), when people try to defend themselves. Overall though, that's just a minor thing for me and he gets away with it more because of how positive Darcy is and how lively Bruno is. It sorta works having someone like that in the middle of those two.

On the contrary, as he's been doing both Strictly and DWTS since the latter started he is actually reducing his income by choosing to do only one. Still let's not let facts get in the way of a good whine, eh?

Really liked Len's input the last couple of weeks. His explanations were really interesting and he's been encouraging to the celebs. It's gonna be difficult to replace him.

He can't manage SCD and DWTS so he's chosen the sunshine and big bucks.

Len is the best by a very very long way, but those outside the dance world can't always see it, because you really do have to understand what to look for, which critiquing a dance. Craig has a tendency often to miss the obvious, while elaborating on things like the hands, which although important, aren't really the first resort when studying the more important aspects of technique. He, like Bruno and Darcy, tend to give a thumbs up to the spectacle primarily, over the technical aspects, while Len sticks more doggedly to the aspects that relate more fundamentally to the specific dance. Yes, he gets boos because at times he seems like a spoil sport, when the others are embracing a dance, but he really is the more grounded of the bunch. Without Len, as i have said before, the show could descend into a free for all. The idea of Anton taking his place is a very bad one, because he hasn't got much idea when it comes to the latin technique.

The judges are usually in ballroom only required to give their scores, and don't have to justify themselves. They act in a professional capacity. Strictly Come Dancing, for the viewer can act as a great learning curve, as long as it is Len's critique and advice that is taken on board and not Craig, Bruno, and Darcy, although they do make some valid points on occasions, but they really can't be relied upon.

OK, that's a pretty impressive CV, but quite often he hides it well, with his " You cahm 'aht and give it some" type comments. Also he is too often bad tempered and rude.

I'm looking forward to seeing his replacement, so long as it is someone from the Ballroom/Latin world, not ballet or musical theatre.

I tend to find myself agreeing with the majority of what Len says. Yes, he does speak in cliches and metaphors quite a lot but the actual content of his comments make a lot of sense.

For me the worst judge is Darcey. I don't think I'll ever quite get over the fact she actually saved Steve Backshall in a dance off with the justification being "his guns!".