Was it just me who felt a little "ripped-off" with the idea of last nights show? I thought the competition was starting last night, so I tuned in. When it became obvious it was just a long "let's meet this years competitors" promo, I tuned out.

WTF? I thought I was in America and the BBC had turned into NBC. What a waste BBC.

I can't agree! I think it was very clear for the publicity that it was a preview and it was great to meet the competitors and their pro dancers and see some initial training footage.

I did think the look back over last year could have been half the length. But a true SCD fan turning off in disgust?

I enjoyed the whole show. I thought the look back at last year gave a sense of continuity to it, and having a short profile of this year's contestants was a very good idea. I now feel I know all of them a little and don't have to spend weeks getting to know them. Before last night I thought the line-up was a bit weak, but now I like all the contestants except one.

And I do think that it was made clear by the publicity that this was just an introduction and the show proper starts next week.

There was a launch show last year as well; it was clearly stated on all publications that I saw of it; I also think it was a good idea as it gave us a chance to meet them all and see what they're like. Also we got a chance to see the new pros and what they're like; it was a nice introduction to thre 6th series

The only way I felt ripped off was that they said in the write-up that they would be looking at what the professional dancers have been up to outside Strictly- where was that?

I didn't feel ripped off. It was well publicised that it was a preview.

As rita has said, it was good to get to know this year's celebrities a bit more. Before last night Austin Healey was just a rugby player with a silly name (); now I'm totally charmed by him and hoping he proves to be a good dancer.

It was also good to start getting to know the three new professionals.

I loved it, I didn't watch it last year and was told it was really good and felt gutted I hadn't seen it. I don't feel ripped off I knew it was only a preview show. It gave me a chance to actually find out more about the celebs (as never heard of half of them or else had but needed a reminder where I'd heard of them) and the three new pros. When the intro came up other then Brian I couldn't tell who was the pro or the celeb with Hayley and Kristina (Sp?) so I totally loved it.

One of the things the fans had been wishing for in previous years is an opportunity to get to know the celebs a little before the main show began and this gave that.

I completely agree with you there - i was looking forward to that bit

You couldn't tell who the Pro was out of John Sergeant and Rhianoff? Are you serious?

It went to fast and I was hyper . I'm sorry I wasn't paying much attention at first.

It was very clearly advertised as a preview show just the same as last year. I really enjoyed it as it was a great taster for what we've got to come! I can't wait for next week!!!!

There is another SCD show on tonight 5/30 to 6/30, is it just a repeat of last night?
It says it's a sneak preview of the 16 famous faces compeating this year... Video on just in case,I don't want to miss anything.

I've just checked tvguide.co.uk and they confirm the programme on at 5.30pm tonight is a repeat of last nights show.

I really enjoyed last nights show although went out before it finished. Was good to put faces and professions to the names and feel i know who most of the people are now.
Only got into this last year and am looking forward to good TV on a saturday which will make a nice change.

Although a little cliche for Brendan to get Lisa!!!

It was a bit of a half and half programme for me. I didn't enjoy the recap of last year, though I can't say why, and it reminded me of how annoying I find the judges, and I was starting to think if I really wanted to watch it again. And then it introduced all the new people, and I liked pretty much everyone and started to feel excited to see how they'd do.

I think it's a good idea to have a preview programme, but I think it would be great if we saw them all dance just a bit of a proper dance, with no judges or scoring, just so you could get a taste of everyone before the real nerves kick in.

There was a similar "meet the celebs" programme last year as well.

There was one last year, about half an hour before the main show instead of a week before. I don't see how you could think it was the actual show when it clearly said in all the TV guides and everywhere else that it was just the launch show.

I enjoyed last nights' show - it was what was advertised, an introduction (or launch) of the celebs and pro dancers. As someone who knows of all the pro dancers (except Hayley) but heard of hardly any of the celebs, I really appreciated it.

QUE?? Thre was exactly the same preview show LAST year??? Its no different- some people have short memories...

Well it's about the competition isn't it (the show itself that is), so I was expecting the competition to be starting. Of course I'm interested in the training, but in the context of seeing the dance being performed that night. It *IS* Strictly Come DANCING after all. I just didn't want to see an hour of "Here's the next contender, John Sergeant" , hear him talk about why he decided to get involved (or whatever the topic of conversation was) and see footage of him training and then NOT see him actually DO a dance until next week - and times that by 16 for all the competitors.

Why not have made it a 2 hour show, with all contenders having a first competition dance? I just saw the program as a sheer waste.

Well, the "preview" show passed me by last year...thank God and all.

I was perfectly well aware that it was a preview show and I think it is a very good idea. Personally I could have done without a quarter of an hour recap on last year but that is just my personal opinion.

Actually another personal opinion is that I would like to see all the couples dance once without somebody being voted out. It would give them an opportunity to see what it is like dancing live, the judges comments would help them to see their weaknesses and it would mean that no-one would be voted out without being given a second chance to get over their nerves.

The first series I watched was the second one and I do think that Quentin Wilson was probably beyond help but for the girl from My Family and Brian Capron last year (who, if I remember rightly was unwell) it seemed very cruel to be thrown out before they had really got started.

But it was never advertised as such

I enjoyed it - gave the public a chance to see everyone before the real competition starts next week.

Just look upon it as an bonus week before the competition starts

I think that's a very good idea.