No, I have to agree. I liked the steady influx of new faces throughout the first few series, but now it's ground to a slight halt. Although I'd rather that than have every series increase the number of couples.

I'd like to get to know more personalities through the show and agree it would help to keep it fresh.

Definitely think it's time to swap a few judges now.

At least he's more knowledgeable than Simon Cowell, the transatlantic face of pop music, whose claim to fame before pop idol/ AI/X factor was Westlife, Robson & Jerome and the Teletubbies! The best people rarely get the best gigs, unfortunately...

I come from family of dance teachers and my old dad says its the teachers 'who bake the cake' for other teachers to decorate that are the backbone of the business

I remember Paul Killick from years ago watching him compete in his early days and seeing the natural talent that you just knew would lead him up the ladder of success.

I suppose it is inevitable that comparisons are always made between SCD and X Factor. I agree re Simon Cowell, and Len defiitely has the correct grounding and background and yes its a shame the best people don't get the gigs - but my brother on phone and he reckons some high profile people turned it down - bet whoever they are, they regret that now

I thought Len gave a very good interview recently where he said a few years ago he was ready for retirement and SCD came right out of the blue for him, and he's just gone with the flow, and now obviously makes alot of money from DWTS too, but he considers it all a bonus in his 60s.
I do think there is alot of jealousy in the dance world, and Len got lucky.

Unfortunately I am only 17, and therefore am not quite old enough to remember Paul's early career, but I wish I had been around to witness it. I have so many videos of him with Inga, and after that with Vibeke and Karina.

For me though what I love most about Paul was his partnership with Hanna, but I guess that just goes without saying! I love how much they love each other, it's so cute! They really are the very best of friends. It makes me go awww every time I see them together.

He is just a beautiful, beautiful man in every single way. He is the sweetest, funniest, cutest, loveliest man I've ever met and I absolutely adore him, but I guess I've made that a fair bit obvious. Okay, I'll stop now !

Wasn't Simon Cowell asked to do the first Pop reality show "Pop Stars" but thought it was a rubbish idea so turned it down and Nigel took his place. On seeing what a huge success it was he begged to be on Pop Idol.

I take it Len was a really good dancer? Who was his partner and what did he win?

I'm afraid I'm not quite that old enough to know - sorry!!

Well my comments are not based on jealousy just my opinion and have heard it expressed by othe people in the business too though may be some of them could have been jealous (I dont know) but they are way up the ladder from me

As far as I know, he danced with his now ex-wife, competing in Exhibition. I'm sure I heard he won the Exhibition at the British, possibly even the world?

Back to the original theme of this thread - yes I agree that in some way the judges panel needs refreshing, every year we get the same old tripe from Arlene and the acerbic coments from Craig - its almost as though we are actually waiting for the nasty comments to start - definitely needs a guest judge each week to keep it fresh and the other judges on their toes (and yes I know that is a Ballet position and not a ballroom one )

I enjoy reading all the opinions of those in the know bendy, that's why I like to read the forum. Everyone's entitled to express their views, and the Judges are not immune from critical comments. It certainly is true that on DWTS they refer to Len as being some sort of big cheese and font of all knowledge on Ballroom in the UK. Considering all they dance is the Smooth version of Ballroom, I wonder what the American Ballroom world think of the Judging Panel, with not one representative on their panel?

Yep quite right becca Len specialised in Exhibition dancing in his competing days rather than formal Ballroom and Latin comps as such he won the british exhibition championships and made the Worlds final but dont think he ever won that

I like Len. If he has to criticise someone he always adds a few word of encouragement.

I love Len and I like the idea of a different guest judge each week - I don't mean a token celeb but maybe a dancer who is still in the competitive world? they will appreciate how hard it is for both the celeb and the dancer teaching them

I'd like to see some better informed judges who know more about the dances- not just words like 'sizzling'etc

And who dont shout & shriek.

It's called dignity (Bruno & Arlene)

And Craig is just vile.

That's a pretty good summing up.

And Zig and Zag! How you could you forget Cowell's other great contribution to music?!

Len is an excellent judge, extremely professional. He knows his stuff.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has had enough of Bruno.
Imo he is totally OTT now & become a charicature of himself, the sychophantic smarming on DWTS is cringeworthy.
I just FF him now.

Thank you la Rhumba

I like Len, and think he is the best on the panel, and should definitely stay. BUT - as for those who originally "turned the opportunity down" I think it was the other way around. Other people from the ballroom world were asked, but proved to be totally unsuitable.

For example, when Strictly first started, I listened to a couple of pros complaining how it "took the mickey out of dancing" etc etc. When I suggested it was just a bit of fun, I was asked what I meant by fun!! (Get the picture!)

I take your point kaycee, and there is an element of that about the show versus the Dance world. However by series 5 it is clear that it is very successful and overall great for Ballroom - when has dancing had such a high profile on TV before? If you listen to the red button commentary there was a lady on there first week who made constructive points who could easily replace Arlene.

I doubt they will replace any of the judges for this series but if enough people make it known to the powers that be at the BBC, hopefully they will install another professional ballroom judge for the next series. I realise that will want someone, not only who is an expert, but must also have personality.