Yes, but the logic behind these people coming on, is that the BBC want to use them to attract an audience other than just dance fans. Ratings levels are more important than content.
The trade off is that to get them on the show they have to let 'em plug something, even Darren Gough.

Showing the penguins wouldn't have done anything for the ratings.

I see what you are saying Doghouse but I am still not convinced that having these,lets face it slightly past it stars on is going to make a huge difference to the ratings.
If you are a Strictly fan you will watch ITT regardless and hope for a majority of dance content and not plugs.
It would be interesting to see figures for those nights when it is just Strictly content compared to when these guest stars are on.

Showing the penguins - in their original context as the stars of the 'forthcoming motion picture event' that is Happy Feet - would definitely have done something for the ratings, if my children's classmates are anything to go by.

It might even have helped my sweet but noisy children to concentrate on ITT as well as they concentrate on SCD Missed opportunity Auntie Beeb

I would much rather have watched penguins than the self-confessed "fat lad from Barnsley"

You have to work out the mindset of the BBC "suits" making these decisions. They won't really be completely up to speed with current pop trends and it may also be a case of who they can get. Nellie Furtado, McFly and Westlife? they've all been on, plus others with less contemporary appeal. The programme is targeted at the likely audience at the time it goes out which will include a lot of younger teenagers.

Other than that, can you think of any other possible reason for having them there?

I'm so loving this campaign for the penguins

What's the penguins? Did I miss something...?

There you go Apricot, just for you...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLSFyMPZpUM

Ach, penguins are like that - they lull you into a sense of security by making you think they are cute and cuddly - then they strike!

Says she looking at at the scars from Seaworld.

Penguins are mean.

Remember Feathers McGraw ...

You legend! Anyone know if Penguins make good pets?

Why thank you Doghouse Riley - appreciate the penguins.

Dont even start me on the BBC's policys I pay 45 pound a month for sky so 110 for BBC just winds me up.

Penguins may look cute but are the most vicious animals i have ever come across, last year whilst on holiday i had the opportunity to take photos of some very regal looking penguins, swimmimg in a rather large pool! Photos over reached over to get my camera back from my friend and yesssss the penguin jumped up and took a chunk out of the inside of my elbow!!
I still have the scar and picture of the nasty penguin.
wont get too close next time lol!

Sneaky horrible penguin...........................sounds like Darren Goughs being to Lillia.

I still like Darren Gough! The chances are the cover of the book was chosen by the publishers not Darren!

I think it is a case of keeping costs down why pay Lilia if they dont have to.

I guess I just believe he would not of won without her and probably went out alot earlier.

No If she appears in the book which we know she does she will get paid regardless, also she would not have won without him either!

Thats true ~ penguins ROCK! I tried to steal one from Edinburgh zoo when i was little, I wanted to keep it in the bath.....

Not that I am a particular fan of Darren G & the book he "wrote" (but of course he did!), but re the cover, there's a good chance that he didn't have a great deal of say in which pic was used for the cover. I'd also go with the "it's not Lilia" account too. Although I do think its odd that the publishers would choose such an odd pic for the cover, to my mind thats one of the ones that would be rejected on the proofs on account of the obscured face

They have just stuck a woman on the front thats is a lilia-look-alike and obscured her face.

So there must be a reason its not the real lilia then surely?

It could be because it's not a SCD book but a Darren Gough one - stops the BBC making more money?

The BBC have their own book which I assume Lilia is on the cover.

Just a guess though!

Camilla and Ian have made there own DVD so I guess darren wants 100% of profits instead of giving 50 to lilia thats my guess.

But Camilla and Ian are a dancing couple and one could not have made the DVD without the other!

I get the impression the book is more about the experience of learning to dance for a complete non dancer instead of teaching dance!

Why else would there be that Dennis Taylor story?!

That's the impression I got, sort of a bit of technical info about each dance, but more of a 'SCD diary' affair

It is I have read it, its about his experirence on SCD and a beginners guide to the routines

Oh is it good? I'm quite tempted by it.