Perhaps controversial, but I don't particularly rate Craig's judging. His technical knowledge of Ballroom/Latin isn't particularly strong, hence he usually goes for poor hand placement, or 'pigeon toes', and seems to prefer more performance based dances.

My opinions on each judge go up and down because they are inconsistent. Overall I like Bruno best. I think he speaks well about what he knows from his dance background. I don't think he pretends. He is over generous in his marking and biased towards Anglo-Italian pros and celebs.

I don't like Craig as a judge and find his hobby horses d-u-ll.

Darcey gives some good critique and tries to find positives to support but I find her comments uncomfortable at times.

Len is Len and wildly inconsistent, which is a shame because he knows his ballroom, as he has demonstrated this series.

This is only my second series of watching Strictly and I know nothing about dance.

Bruno - awful, lecherous and completely OTT. Some of his leching and comments would be deemed as sexual harassment elsewhere. He is an embarrassment much of the time and comments more on the dancers looks than the dance they have just done.

Len - gives very little actual dance feedback but when he does his marking seems to contradict him.

Darcey - seems to give nice feedback to soften the harsh criticism from Craig.

Craig - the only one to give actual technical feedback, which is usually interrupted by a rude audience but he sometimes does try to balance it with something positive. However he can be very nasty and despite people trying hard he is OTT at rubbishing their efforts.

It's probably time to change all the judges. Many times someone has been hugely praised with no criticism at all and still they didn't get a 10

Craig - sometimes I think it's more about playing the nasty judge and getting the laughs by saying something mean than it is about giving helpful feedback and that's probably not completely his fault, he's probably been told to do it. There are definately times when he goes too far. But he can also be funny and once or twice he's been really encouraging and some of his criticisms are good because they're simple and to the point. I think there have been times he should have given a 10 but I like that he doesn't give them too easily. It's like first contestants aim for a 10, then they aim for a 10 from Craig.

Darcey - everyone says she's the nice judge but she's actually the meanest on average after Craig. She wasn't at her best last night (I bet everyone has bad days at work) and one of the other posters made an interesting point that her knowledge is limited so there's not much she can say at this stage when everyone's so good (Alesha started having the same problem round about Week 1) so maybe that's an issue. But I do like her positivity and when she can give advice it's very clear and encouraging.

Len - I never know what to expect. He can be really kind, positive and encouraging but he can also be really vicious. Sometimes he gives really good comments, technical but helpful and often really interesting but other times it seems like he can't quite be bothered. I was sad when I heard it was Len's last series but after watching him this series it's probably the right time. The man's over 70 and if he doesn't want to be flying back and forth across the Atlantic every week then far enough, not everyone has Lesley Joseph's energy.

Bruno - he varies too. I think he's got this image he's got to live up to and he does his best with it, sometimes he's hilarious and other times he crosses a line and it gets really uncomfortable. It must be really difficult not crossing the line sometimes when you've been told to get as close to the line as you can and we all have moments when something that sounds ok in our head actually isn't. But he can also be really kind and encouraging, he's great with the DO couples and you've got to love his enthusiasm.

I really cannot watch Bruno anymore, he's way OTT and attention-seeking. I see it in the bits in Len's lens when Craig or Len demonstrates some steps and you can see Bruno is desperate to be doing it. The fast-forward button I used for Brucie is now reserved for Bruno...

Len is reading from a script and keeps pausing to wait for the boohs (that don't always come) when he criticises a dance. He is just going through the motions now.

I like Darcey who always has a kind word for the contestants, and she is a good foil for Craig and his brutal honesty.

Craig - pretty much spot on with his comments and scores although sometimes he could think of a nicer way to say some things!

Darcy - I am in 2 minds about Darcy, I sometimes wonder what she was watching when she comments and other times I find myself nodding in agreement, she can be OTT with the men (bit like Arlene was) but overall I think she is fair

Len - unpredictable! can like something one week and hate it the next, respect him and his knowledge of ballroom and latin but I am glad its his last series, he can overmark and I dislike that he has the final say in the judges vote (dislike the judges vote on the bottom 2 anyway but that is a subject for a different thread!)

Bruno - oh my, where do I start!! underneath all the flamboyancy and over the top-ness he is pretty good at dishing out practical advice, he is excitable, over the top and sometimes annoying but its Bruno tendency to overmark

Craig - villainous, acerbic yet delightful
Darcey - biased, gushy and can barely string a sentence together
Len - antiquated, irascible, petty and tiresome
Bruno - outrageous, whimsical yet somehow constructive

Len - still gives some useful technical comments but I'm glad he's leaving if he'll be replaced by someone who really knows enough about ballroom and Latin. I'll miss, " You came aht" though.

Darcy - I'd prefer to see Karen Hardy or Erin Boag if Karen is too busy. I can't think of any reason for Darcy being there.

Bruno - goes over the top sometimes but that's why he's there - to liven it up. Not my cup of tea but Ican understand that producers might want that energy on the panel.

Craig. Why is he there ? Cringeworthy.

I miss genuine judging and reactions. The judges now seem to mostly reflect the wishes of producers. I think that any replacement judges will be those who agree to toe the line.

Would love it if Arlene came back as head judge and gave Princess Darcey the push!

I like them all. My favourites are Craig and Bruno. It's good that there is a variety of dance experience from the judges. Makes it more interesting.

Craig: Can be biased and his comments are not always very helpful. I agree that he is limited with his ballroom critique.
Bruno: Even though his manner is irritating, he is a very perceptive judge and often says what I've been thinking. Was annoyed with his bias towards Laura this season though.
Darcey: A bit wafty and flowery in her summing up. Not very convincing in her ballroom critique as well, especially when she bangs on about jive retractions.
Len: Don't particularly like him but have to defer to his expertise. Dislike the way he can be quite nasty one minute and act innocent the next.

I think the mix overall is ok really.

I just wish they would all remember that they have paddles numbered 1 to 10 inclusive and be a bit more realistic in their choice of score. Ideally the score would match the feedback they give and start from 1 when it is deserved. My order of preference.

Len - but I wish he would remember to deduct points like he used to.
Craig - good scoring but I wish he would remember he has a 10 paddle.
Bruno - good feedback but I wish someone would tie him to the chair,
Darcy - nice but easily distracted by a male celebrity

Replace Len from the world of ballroom and latin a strong persona and acceptable sense of humour essential

Get shot of Craig whose lack of knowledge belittles the position of judge he must surely be able to find a pantomine somewhere

agree. except craig is not quite delightful, though he is likeable.

and i think darcey is usually sloshed isn't she?

BIB: I'd love that. If the rumours that Len's replacement will be a 'heavyweight' from the ballroom world are true, I'd be glad to see the back of Darcy - who adds very little other than looking enviably glamorous - and the inclusion of a new female judge who knows what she's talking about. I always loved Erin's wry snarkiness - I think she'd be brilliant. What would be even better would be for the ballroom 'heavyweight replacing Len to be female too.

I adore Craig, he's definitely my favourite. I'd be gutted if he ever left the panel

I quite like Darcy, and I like Bruno but feel he gets a little too carried away at times, to where it feels like he's putting it on. Would be happy to see them back, but would shrug and accept it if they left. I think I'd miss Darcy more than Bruno.

Len is a right grumpy b*gger and I will be glad to see the back of him, as long as they don't replace him with someone worse! His smile seldom reaches his eyes, Seems like the kind of guy who'd glare and snap at a waiter and then later speak to the manager to try to get them fired if they accidentally gave him the wrong type of fork.

have to agree with this but Darcey is really getting on my wick, it started last year in week 3 ... and refusing to give a dance the ten it deserved and her constant nitpicking with Claudia's characterisation, Claudia couldn't have put more character into that Salsa yet Darcey has to get on her high horse. please let her join the miserable old git on his way out of the door.

I hadn't though of that - a female head judge ! That would work and really shake things up.

Generally I really like them all to be fair but some things irritate me.
Craig, although funny, is unnecessarily harsh sometimes and he seems to pick people he dislikes and sticks with that in my opinion.
Bruno makes me laugh and is generally ok, although he has his bitchy moments!
Darcy I like but she does annoy me the way she dribbles over the men and gives them preferential treatment sometimes.
And Len I just absolutely love, pure old fashioned cheese and he makes me laugh. Yes his "oh dont start" comments to the audience can be a little repetitive but to be honest the audience really annoy me with their constant booing over any slight criticism. It stops you getting a good critique and shouldn't be allowed. Aside from clapping after dances I think the audience should be quiet throughout, if you want to interact with the show then go see craig in panto, you can boo all you like then!

Definitely not in this millennium, please!!

I saw Arlene recently on a late night TV show - she was kept waiting a lo oo ong time in the wings, and when she came on, she seemed very odd - very programmed. Maybe because she found herself face to face with Ed Balls (relaxed) and Michael Portillo (bemused) and - after letting fall that she had been definitely kicked out of Strictly - she went on and on about grieving at being given the push.

So, if you brought back Arlene to the Strictly judges panel, it would be over a sea of dead bodies, and, you would need a good ventriloquist to run her, because her brain has seized up with grief.

Craig - is fine by me, at least he uses a decent range of scores.

Darcey - inconsistent and lacks belief in her own opinion. Needs to find her character rather than trying to be an unconvincing cougar.

Len- at least he is trying to be more technical, but has definitely reached the end of his time on Strictly. Needs a younger, sharper version to replace him, preferably someone new to UK Strictly.

Bruno - can be wonderfully descriptive in his critiques, but often goes off into a world of his own. Tends to favour leggy blond women celebrities when it comes to marking.