After watching tonight's programme I would like to complain strongly about the bullying it showed.

I refer to the bullying of Craig Revel-Horwood by Len Goodman.

There was no need to such agression and pencil pointing as shown by the so called head judge.

Len has gone past grumpy and ventured into downright unpleasant. He had the air of an agressive drunk tonight.

I'm a bit fed up of his 'they're all talking nonsense - I'll say something nice to get the popularity vote' mantra.

Apart from that - great show tonight!!

What's the number for OFCOM.

Or maybe Childline?

(Oh no! Esther's in the jungle!)

I think you're over-reacting a bit. It could barely be classed as bullying. That word gets thrown around way too much.

You could phone the Samaritans and/or Sane Line if you're 18 or older.

I completely agree, Mama. Len really peed me off this evening. Particularly because, imo, Craig is the most constructive and consistent of the judges!!

I'm finding these arguments, which appear to be manufactured by Len out of nowhere, quite embarrassing to watch. I literally had my hands over my face when Len was speaking.

Totally agree LaLa Laur!

When will people realise that we don't want our attention taken off the dancing - that we LIKE the dancing - we don't like agressive judges!!!

Ummm, I think you're missing the "irony" thing...

I think you could be right....

I don't know that it was bullying, but Len's behaviour wasn't what I want to see on an early evening family show.

Bickering and diagreement is all pantomine, but Len went way beyond that, that was total hostility and I'd rather he took that scowl of his face and remembered some manners.

In my defence, irony can be hard to read online.

Afraid I missed it too. So don't worry. In any case, I still think Len's behaviour is embarrassing to watch.

I quite agree. I'm getting very tired of all the arguing and shouting - even if it is all staged, that isn't the kind of 'entertainment' I want to see on a Saturday night BBC show. This isn't Big Brother!

I think it's all put on for effect, to be honest. Not just Len but all of them. Agree it's getting very tedious though.

Yes - very bored of Len. Is there really any need for him to spend the whole time Craig & Arlene are talking rolling his eyes and making faces.

Ok he doesn't agree with them but he has his own time to put his point across and all his nonsense just slows the show down.

Sorry if the irony didn't come through in my original post - curse these forums!

I was making reference to all the 'John was bullied off the show' threads.

BUT - I AM heartily sick of the way the rest of the judges treat Craig and I thought Len was horrible tonight.

Mama

I completely agree. Len was totally out of order and this has been going on all series. He is foul-mouthed and unpleasant and does not seem to understand that as a result of his actions he has lost the authority he once had. Most people prefer Craig as a judge and I also prefer Arlene as well.

As for the 'knickers' comment! Disgraceful!

matt should have leapt over the desk and punched Len (not that I condone violence!)

At least Craig tried to point out how inappropriate the remark was - only to be given short shrift yet again!

I don't know how Craig remains so patient. He has the temperament of a saint!

I do think that every judge should be allowed to comment without interruption.

Yes, I'm beginning to wonder if we're in a twilight zone - in previous years I've rated Len's comments, been irritated by Brendan's antics and been dismayed by the likes of Kate Garraway. This year Craig is my favourite judge, Brendan is in my top two pros (got to adore Kristina) and I love John Sargeant.

The over-use of the worf "bullying" is really devaluing its actual meaning and sometimes tragic consequences.

In real life, in work, and elsewhere, what you witnessed was NOT bullying. It was a straight disagreement which escalated into a minor argument (possibly palyed up for the cameras even). That's all.

EDIT: just read the first line of your reply in post #17 .......

If I'd noticed who the OP was, I'd have switched my irony radar on . I agree with the general sentiments anyway. But Len does seem to be egged on by the enthusiastic applause he gets from the audience.

Absolutely Vivacious Lady!

It's like a toned down version of the gladiators in Rome with the crowd yelling 'Kill him! Kill him!'

If Len had been so unpleasant to a contestant, there would have been outrage and a lot of booing.

Craig, it seems, is fair game - everyone can be horrid to him and call it entertainment.

They do pick on Craig a lot. However, not as much as Simon picking on Louis on the X Factor. That makes me really uncomfortable.