That's a good suggestion. But not yet, I want Brucie to stay for as long as possible because, like it or not, the atmosphere and character of the show will dramatically change when he leaves and I like it just fine as it is.

I may criticise him for whatever I like , and in fact I was criticising him because he is self obssessed , as almost everyone else has said, he is all " me , me , me " , and for nothing else .

Helbrown , sarcasm is an extremely low form of wit .

I find him as I find him and that is my prerogative . I also found Craig crossed the acceptable line once or twice this year, and so did many others on the board .

I agree, he is an excellent musical theatre star , but I have never seen him present anything and so cannot comment on those skills .
I watch him regularly on Torchwood and as he has lived until recently in my home town , I know many who have met him socially .
I also feel that he would not be right for this show .

You may criticise him for whatever you like, but your original criticism was that he is "too overtly homosexual" and not "family entertainment", not that he was too "me, me, me" as you later said. I'd agree with the latter, but not the former.

As for crossing the line - if a homosexual man may not state that another man is attractive, can a heterosexual woman declare a man attractive, or a heterosexual man remark upon the physical beauty of a woman? As all have done that. Equal disapprobation.

I didn't see much of Joseph at all so can't comment on that, when I have seen JB presenting he's done a good job, but may well have become too "me, me", but I don't see what his sexuality has to do with him presenting the show or not. If Craig can make comments about liking his men with a bit of meat on them, or comments about a celeb's "pectorials" [sic] - and indeed with Arlene's constant drooling, and Len saying he'd give Alesha tips in his dressing room - I can't see JB joining the show as being a problem with the family entertainment factor...

I think Aled would be absolutely brilliant, Gethin would be OK probably.

I wasn't being sarcastic.

But you were being offensive and homophobic which is off the scale if you are talking about "lowness".

I find it bizarre that you have a problem with homosexuality on a programme that has historically had lots of gay influences and really should be called Strictly Camp Dancing sometimes.

You know where the off button is. And I sincerely hope that they do choose John if it offends you so much.

I hope it's just a wicked rumour...It'd spoil the show

I liked John on the Joseph show but lately I have gone off him. ..I would prefer Aled but I will miss Bruce

It's one thing to have him on a panel, but as a presenter....no thanks

I don't think I've watched Aled on anything since Strictly so no idea what he'd be like as a presenter, however I know there wasn't anything about him being on screen that made me reach for a TV Brick so that's a plus!

Hi - Aled presents on BBC Radio 2 and he is very good he usually stands in for Sarah Kennedy in the mornings - to me he seems a natural presenter but I don't know if he is a natural comedian

*LMAO*

I think (for better or for worse depending on your POV - for worse IMO) the show will change irrevocably whenever Brucie steps down. I think it will outlive his involvement, it started as a vehicle for him really didn't it? But has become bigger than that - but whoever takes over, it will change, what a set of shoes to step in to. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if they changed how the show worked when he left so that whoever followed him wouldn't have to try and be Brucie, as it were.

Aled - def. a natural at presenting IMO, and while possibly not quite the comedian like Bruce, (I can't see him delivering those appalling one liners with such conviction!!) I think his wry humour would be quite enjoyable.

I dont think Brucie should ever be replaced, no matter what people think of him. He is the king of strictly, and when he stops, strictly stops.

I've grown to like Bruce. However the thing about Strictly is that the show shouldn't have to rely on having any of the BBC's overpaid or overused presenters. People watch the show for the dancing, not the presenter. So the important thing is to have someone who is a competent presenter but won't mess things up by alienating viewers. In that sense I think Aled best fits the bill.
Last edited by Vivacious Lady : 22-02-2008 at 22:00

I agree - SCD is bigger than any one person. While it would change without Brucie, I see no reason why it can't continue.

^ I agree - it started off for Bruce but I think it has got bigger than any one presenter. I think a comination of Bruce leaving + other factors could see it end but I don't think Bruce leaving = end of SCD. I certainly hope not!

I ought to clarify my last post to say that I don't think Bruce currently fits into the category of overused. I think he has done well in presenting the show. I just think that sometimes the BBC underestimates the importance of having a format that works (like SCD) and relies too much on using the same personalities over and over again.

VL - can't speak for others, but I read it how you meant it

I agree. Bruce is still great but he's 80, and I thought he sometimes seemed a little tired last series. He can't go on forever, and I don't want the programme to end with him.

I like John Barrowman when he tones it down, but he can be a little me me me at times.

Would they really have sorted out a presenter now for 2 years hence anyway?

I think part of the problem is that they simply don't make 'em like Brucie any more. He is the classic variety song-and-dance man and there simply aren't any of them around (at least not under the age of 80 ). So of course the it is going to change the programme, whoever they get in.

TBH, I don't think that they need to up the camp factor through the presenter (and no, you don't need to be gay to be camp). The show is plenty camp enough already! On that basis, Aled seems to be the best option of the names mentioned. Besides which, I find him absolutely charming!

Plus JB was on with the opposition, Dancing On Ice, and he certainly wasn't a very good loser.

I like him but not for this.

The best suggestion so far, already experienced at presenting and almost won SCD!

Personally I can't stand John Barrowman, but each to his own. Love Bruce at the moment!

Oh no!! not Barrowman, I detest him - please god even if Brucie as to turn up in a wheelchair or on a zimmer frame, let him sign up again

I must say I've liked Barrowman ever since his saturday morning kids TV days.

I think he is more than capable of hosting the show, and as someone who has come from musical theatre, I guess he's probably the closest thing to a Brucie type entertainment type of guy around these days, given that the sort of background BF comes from doesn't exist anymore.

I too am a fan of Aled Jones. I heard him on Radio 2 recently, and he was witty and funny and definitely host material.

I'd be happy with either to be honest.

I do totally love JB - quite an obsessive really
Off to see his tour in April

but even for me I'm not totally sure if I am liking the idea of him presenting SCD
I like to keep all my fave people seperate
[John and Ian I might go into meltdown]

but hey we'll see I suppose

I think Aled is the best suggestion so far.