I agree how could they give Tom 10 for any of his dances.

It seems the judges have been around too long and they've become full of themselves to the extent that they believe they're more important than the contestants.

This series, every time I turn a TV or radio on I see one of the judges either spouting about Strictly or simply publicising themselves off the back of it.

Much as I enjoy ITT, I'd dearly love to watch it without hearing from Craig, Arlene, Bruno or Len. Things like Len's Masterclass and Ask Len simple pander to the guy's ego.

A solution would be to have guest judges each week in order to mix it all up a bit and to remove the spotlight from the judges.

This series has been my least favourite and thats all been down the way the judges have used the program as a publicity vehicle for themselves. Nothing will convince me that they didn't rig the semi final and I think that means they're treating the public (who pay their wages) with utter contempt.

Guest judges would indeed be an ideal way forward.

Or even a couple every week.

That didn't work though on FA2 when all the people who though Alistair was any good complained when Jonathan Ross and Daniel Bedingfield agreed with the judges and both clearly thought he was the weakest. You could argue you need qualified judges but a Radio DJ and a singer were as qualified as any they could have had there.

The SCD studio audience seem better judges than the voting public but as soon as you made them important people would pack the audience.

Fame Academy had some success getting the other contestants to decide but even that went wrong on the last CFA when they voted by sex and for their mates as I suspect Tom and Austin would have this series.

Actually the showdances showed that the public had a point - Lisa's was horrendous, Rachel's was ok and Tom's was one of the best we've seen.

That's an interesting point. I remember the FA situation. I wasn't a fan of Alistair but it did seem as if, week on week, most of the judges seemed to trot out the same old lines whatever his performance. It became so predictable that I even found myself shaking my head at Ross and Bedingfield's comments because they seemed to just be parrot fashion reiterations of what Richard Park felt.

It may well have been that both Ross and Bedingfield's opinions were exactly as they claimed (they loved Alex and didn't like Alistair) but I couldn't get away from the thought that they'd been secretly told to "toe the party line".

The reason I mention this is because I think it could well turn out the same on strictly. If guest judges agree with the panel's opinions, I can see many viewers thinking that the powers that be have whispered in their ear behind the scenes and informed them who's in favour and who's not. Imagine a guest judge (or two) coming on the final show and also giving Lisa two tens and agreeing she was better than Rachel. I'd be willing to bet most of the public would be stamping their feet and shouting "bias" and "fix". There will always be couples who the public will perceive to be favourites. Having different people confirm that they are actually good won't necessarily alter that.

In a way it would have been interesting to see what the viewing figures would have been for the final if Tom had gone at the semi final stage. At the end of the day this show relies on viewers watching - so if the viewing figures went down it would prove to the BBC that they need to listen more to the public and less to the judges!

Len and co can sit and judge it all they like - but at the end of the day it's the viewers who are more important - without us the show would be off air!

Lets have all guest judges from now on.

I'm not sure they're 'a waste of time' but some thing definitely needs to be done. This year more than any, the judges have completely climbed up their own a*ses. I dont think they're even aware that the constant mean spirited comments directed toward John Sergeant were one the reasons why he stayed in so long. They seem to think it's their duty to pick the winner and not the viewers. Hence, the deliberate - and rather embarrasing - overmarking of Lisa Snowdon.

I think the judges should still give marks but I dont think the marks should be weighted like they are at the moment. The judges marks should be used noly as a guide for the viewer. I think most of us fans know a little about dancing from watching over the years and we can spot a good 'un when we see one. I certainly dont need the judges telling me that Lisa's Cha cha was perfect when I know it was a long long way from being perfect

Spot on ESPIONdansant, the public can be trusted to decide with their votes.

OT I know but, on a lighter note, taken from the above:

I nearly had an Erin type accident when I read that
Penicillin anyone?