Before the first series started, Len had to teach Craig, Bruno and Arlene the basics of what they needed to look for in the ballroom and Latin dances. Unfortunately, as you know, there is far too much technique in every dance for them to learn very much, so they mostly have to rely on critiquing performance - as does Darcey.

I agree mostly with what Len says too. The others don't have much of a clue. I find it rather embarrassing to hear what they have to say a lot of the time, as when they critique the technique, they talk a load of rubbish basically. One of my pet hates is Darcy always talking of needing the lady ballroom dancers to bend backwards from the waist....perhaps she should try ! Its rubbish of course, impossible to do and completely wrong.

As in "nearly always before they've done it!". I sometimes think he does it deliberately to provoke an audience response!


Whenever I've analysed the judges' points allocation patterns over the years, Darcey has always been the one with obvious bias (towards good-looking young men and against good-looking young women).

I know we can have difficulty spotting the stuff that Len has, but don't forget he's probably seen it in the rehearsal too.

Len is certainly the best judge in my opinion, but he did go through a stage in around 2007/8, of being very antagonistic, and even his marks became less consistent for a short while. Not sure whether it was because of his traveling to the US that was getting to him. However, in the last few years he has been more steady and pretty solid and consistent.

Not to be controversial or fall out with anyone but can you explain in which universe Len is anything like Paul Hollywood please? He has never missed a series of strictly ( a couple of shows yes) and over the last couple of years has cut down his commitment to dancing with the stars, whilst staying with SCD.

He is also a well respected member of the ballroom community, having won numourous competitions, then opened his dance school and judged competitions at a high level.

I'm 46 now, but from the ages of 7-11 I went to Goodmans in Dartford for dancing lessons (50p an hour!). He taught Latin, ballroom and disco and he knew what he was doing. As a dance expert I rate him highly, as a teacher he was bloody terrifying!

I'm not a fan of Len's persona at all, I find it as appealing as root canal treatment. However, trying to knock his knowledge publicly is a bit...well, foolish, if I'm honest.

BIB Totally agree. It drives me mad.

Rather than question Len's knowledge, which is extensive, I think people should maybe ask how the other judges can be on the show for quite some time but still not have learnt some very basic stuff. I don't expect them to have the expert eye of a professional adjudicator like Len, but I do expect them to be able to talk about the basics with some accuracy, and maybe name a few steps.

I don't think Len's expertise of dance is really being questioned by the majority. What I would question, is how well he uses this knowledge as opposed to repeating pointless guff like "you came out", "give it some welly" and "you tried your best so well done". Not to mention his inability take the audience booing on the chin or even behave like a decent person all the time! So whilst his knowledge may be missed, I certainly won't miss Len as a person.

Really I can't blame Len for getting irate when he gets a rollocking from the audience for giving his expert, and often correct, opinion. Even more annoying when one of the other, less experienced judges interrupt him.

Unfortunately, he can't expect to be a "statesman of ballroom, revered by one all" and be a comedian at the same time. Added to which over the years he has been "consistent with his inconsistencies."

It's not "Come Dancing" it's a family entertainment show, not that dissimilar from a pantomime at times, so all the judges have to expect a bit of, "audience participation."

I find the times when he gets wound up a bit, quite amusing, as do I'm sure, many others.

My only comparison of Len Goodman with Paul Hollywood was that both have jumped ship at the BBC (which made their names) in favour of getting more money elsewhere; DWTS for Len, Channel 4 for Paul Hollywood.

You do know that is organized by the producers, as is the excessive clapping and hollering . They could stop all that if they wanted .

Thats why I don't understand the comparison, Len hasn't jumped ship as you put it, he's retiring (although both are grey he is a few years older than Mr Hollywood). He's already cut back DWTS. He's never not done strictly.

From The Telegraph;
It is understood that he is not retiring, and is likely to continue with his role as head judge on Dancing With The Stars, the American version of the dancing format, as well as his Radio 2 show.

I have never heard Darcey tell anyone to bend backwards from the waist. I have heard her tell them to use their core for support, lower shoulders, stretch neck, but never bend from the waist.

All I can say is that I really have heard her say that amongst many other things that are simply not correct. I have no problem with her speaking about arm work, core etc but she should leave the technical comments to Len that knows. As an experienced dancer myself, I am shocked at some of the things the uninformed say on the show, its a wonder the Pro's are able to keep quiet. Hats off to them.

I'm a bit older than you and I found him to be quite fun as a teacher. Not scary at all. We always used to finish off the sessions with March of the Mods.

It's not relevant to Len's expertise (although I am usually impressed) but I wanted to share a quick story. One of my customers at work has a daughtr with Downs Syndrome who absolutely loves Len so she wrote to him asking for a special autograph as a surprise for her. Ever since, Len has sent this girl a birthday card each year and she was so touched by his kindness Celebs maybe seem rude (the same as all of us) sometimes but I think he is true star.

BiB - respect!
(I dare say that it's an Assistant that does the sending, but even so, it's a thoughtful gesture.)

That's a genuinely heart-warming story and lovely to read. He can't be a bad egg.

I think that what irritates most people about Len is not his knowledge but the inconsistent way he applies it - ignoring technical faults in one whereas the same faults are criticised in another.

As I said earlier, "he's consistently inconsistent."

There are some celebs who show potential of picking up technique - Danny for example - and therefore Len will tell him if he is getting something wrong because he recognises the fact Danny has the ability to work on it.

There are other celebs, who, with the best will in the world, Ed, bless him! Widdy, etc., have enough problems trying to remember a few steps and are very unlikely to ever master the technique. Len recognises this, and see no point in complaining about something someone is probably incapable - especially in such a short time - of learning.

In other words, there's no point in complaining about how someone runs, if they haven't even mastered the art of walking!!!