Seeing as Len is the only judge form the world of ballroom, whereas the other three are showbiz choreographers, surely as this is a ballroom competition, there should be another ballroom judge among the four. This is very often reflected in what they look for and affects their markings.

I say we need to lose one of the three from Craig, Arlene and Bruno and replace with a top judge from the world of ballroom or an ex top ballroom dancer.

I say we lose Arlene as I think a lot of her comments are based on if she likes someone, and replace her with a top woman judge from the world of ballrom or an ex top pro.

I think you have a good point there. I have been saying elsewhere that there should be five judges and then the judges final say would not just be down to Len to choose.

Craig knows little or nothing about ballroom and latin, if the BBC thought he did then they wouldnt be having an ex top ballroom dancer and Judge to be reviewing the tapes and feeding him with what to say on his weekly appearance on ITT.

I completely agree, and nominate Karen Hardy! She could still broadcast for Breakfast aswell, and just do it for this series if she wants to return as a Pro for SCD6.

CRH really does get money for old rope doesn't he? So you'd think he'd at least be a bit more cheerful!

IMO both Craig & Arlene are far too personal and cutting with their comments. The celebs, nor the pros, sign up for that - it's not X Factor - and just turn the whole atmosphere sour at times.

Karen would be fantastic although I doubt she would do it as Karen is still competing

Oh gosh! I thought she'd retired and was only Judging now?

I don't like Arlene as a judge, a lot of her comments seem pre-rehearsed and she stumbles over the words as she tries to say them as if she's just thought of them.

She was the same on the dreadful Dance-X, trying to to say these cleverly thought out and funny insults but tripping over the words and them coming out all wrong.

Stacey the choreographer and judge from that other dance programme seems far more knowledgeable and constructive, without lowering herself to petty insults to try and be a female Simon Cowell.

Where did you hear this? I hope not.

I am in 100% agreement.

Get rid of Bruno though. Doesnt really have much to offer.

Craig does know about ballroom dancing and has writen books on it. However, his main claim to fame is as a camp washed up choreographer.

Bring on Karen....A world champion dancer and an international dance judge.

However, we live in fantasy land and do not expect the Beeb to listen for one minute.

Yes, she is just judging and coaching now.

I am intrigued to know more about the ex-competitor they've brought in to put words in Craig's mouth. If it can't be said on here, can somebody PM me instead?

And I do agree with the topic in hand here, and I've said many times before that if South Africa can have Dave Campbell, Holland can have Monique Van Opstal and Italy can have Espen Salberg, then why can't we get a big name?

I mean, didn't David Sycamore and Denise Weavers express interest in taking part in some way?

I second the proposal to have Karen in place of Bruno - she is brilliant at Latin dancing and she knows her stuff

Stacey Haynes? I liked her. She's done a couple of reality shows, she's usually quite a good judge.

Hasn't she been retired for quite a few years now?

She's had a baby, and when she came back as a Pro on Strictly 3, she gave an interview on ITT saying it was a huuuuge deal for her and very emotional as she'd missed dancing and competing so much, and has Judged most of the pros on the show in various comps. It's quite well known that she retired a few years ago now. She must be about mid-30s.

I do agree, I like her and she's a much better Judge than Arlene, but she's another Musical theatre choreographer/casting director and not from the world of ballroom.

Craig may have a book on dancing but that doesnt mean he wrote it himself.
If he was so knowledgeable he wouldnt come out with the rubbish that he does spout and he would be capable of doing his own training tape reviews without the BBC having to pay someone who does know about dancing technique to do it for him

Yes that's her she was on the dance show that Graham Norton hosted and I think was the other one "Musicality" for the role in Chicago.

Like you say though, La Rhumba, she's more musical theatre, but on the Graham Norton hosted show (sorry I can't for the life of me remember what it was called) she gave quite constructive criticism on the ballroom and latin dances.

Surely Len has a few female pals he could bring on board from the ballroom world.

Yeah - I'd like her to be a judge, or another ballroom/latin dancer. What kind of dancing did Len do? If he did ballroom, then a latin dancer might work best to get different perspectives or vice versa.

Craig may be a trained dancer, but he uses Ballet terms and not Ballroom ones, and comes from the world of Musical theatre too - that's 3 Judges to 1 and too many IMO.

How do you know this?

Strictly Dance Fever!! I LOVED that show!!

She was always encouraging and gave constructive comments - unlike AP.

I say don't change it - from the calibre of judges picked by the beeb and the red commentary person - they are not the best of choices and doubt if you would geta top line Latin / Ballroom judge to take part with Len as head judge

Thanks, that's the one, it was driving me mad trying to think of the name.

A far better show than the dreadful Dance-X in which I thought both Bruno and Arlene were terrible.

as for Stacey Haynes her comments whilst encouraging on SDF were far from informed

I know it, I dance, I mix with dancers, competitors and Judges.