I think SCD has been spoiled by the more 'well-known' celebs like KB and PL-S. KB has already dancing experience and goes to classes and PL-S is married to a rock star. I prefer the less known celebs, like Gethin and Alesha, who seem more down to earth. I didn't like Gabby's too professional attitude(she left me cold) and I've never warmed to James Jordan. I think that's why those two ended up in the bottom two. I like to see people progress , like Mark and Darren did.......

There are 14 celebrities, meaning there is something for everyone IMO!

I don't see there being "more well-known" or "too professional attitude" issues personally.

In a series like this there's bound to be a mix of celeb background and profiles. I think that's part of the charm...where else would you get Stephanie Beacham and Dom dancing against one another. And I actually think Penny is very down to earth BTW.

There's also bound to be a little difference in dance experience but I feel celebs should only be excluded if they've had a substantial amount of dance training previously. How much is substantial? How long is a piece of string? I think the emphasis should be on the programme being a learning experience and as long as all the celebrities are actually learning ballroom for the first time, I don't see a problem with that.

In terms of the "too professional attitude" point, I think it all comes down to personality. Untimately, the public are going to have their favourites. I for one didn't have too much of a problem with Gabby being competitive, I just wasn't particularly drawn to her personality and found her dancing, although technically very good, lacked passion IMO. We are each going to be drawn to different types of personalities, as this forum attests to, which again, I feel, only adds to the programme. It would be quite dull if all the couples were the same (in terms of personality), no!? As much as I am not a fan, even I have to admit that having Brendan around does (not always in a good way) spice things up!!

LOL...EF...so succinct! Summing up in a nut shell what took me several paragraphs to do!!

Well know to some not so well known to others

I had no idea who Kelly is so she's not well known to me.

And does it really matter if they have had a bit of dance training at stage school most actors have. you can either dance and have rhythm or you can't.

Each series has always had some contestants that are more well known than others, for example people from Eastenders seem to do fairly well. There are also going to be difference in dance experience (I actually thought that Alesha had some dancing experience…..but could be wrong). Then there is looks, personality, connections, etc. The point is variety is the spice of life!

I do agree with you but I think they should have invited Kelly on SCD - I know people will hate me now - but she is a professional dancer who has appeared in shows dancing - even on her website it says she left the acting school to pursue a career in dance and acting - no wonder she is so good

I agree with you, it all depends on your age and what TV programmes you watch.

I don't watch Eastenders anymore although I used to, so I know of Letitia and whilst I had heard of Matt, I don't really know him at all.

I also am to old unfortunately to be part of the Blue Peter crowd so am not familiar with Gethin, but a lot of younger viewers will do.

As far as Penny Lancaster being very famous, well a lot of people will know her husband, but not many will know much about her.

It would be very boring if they all were brilliant dancers or they all were terrible, it's good to have a nice mix.

I think they get the 'celeb' mix about right, look at last year, the majority would have known Emma - she's far better known then Kelly is this year, but, outside of the sporting world, just how many would have known Mark, and to an extent Matt Dawson, yet who reached the final?

In the long run, even with the shocks along the way, the best dancers usually win out (unless Erin gets her hands on some flaming puppets ) no matter how high profile the celeb is at the beginning.

Every year there are celebs that I've never heard of or hardly know - I think it is the same this year.

This year, for the first time, I knew all the females - in fact 2 (Gabby and Alesha) I had suggested last year in the "who do you want in the next series" thread (see below).
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...0#post11963050

However I did not know the majority of the males. I quite like it that way - know some then learn more about them, discover some from scratch... it's all part of the journey we make as viewers. I'd hate a line up of 14 Britneys and Brad Pitts, or all complete unknowns.

this was 12 years ago & she soon gave it up to become a model, what shows has she appeared in? Penny had 10 years training in ballet, tap & modern dance does that mean she should not have taken part?