The Strictly Backlash

em-jo
Cannot believe they have axed Arlene. She is a brilliant choreographer and knows a lot more about dance than Alesha. Don't get me wrong; I think Alesha is very talented but yet again it's down to age and beauty over skill.

 

win1
This sucks - it is ageism and sexism. If the male judges and Brucie had any balls, they would have had the integrity to stand by Arlene. When are we ever going to see the end of double standards?
 

manic sonic
So. We have swapped a professional with a lifetime's experience for a pretty girl who can shake her booty. Shame on you BBC; you wouldn't do this to Bruce Forsyth who is well past it and embarrassing to watch most of the time cos he's a man! I'm no feminist but this is discrimination against the older woman. I'm sure that Arlene does not need the BBC, but there will be a massive turn-off in our family in protest.

 

Dawn Crook
What does Alesha Dixon know about dancing? She only won because her partner was a professional who showed her how to dance. This does not qualify her to be a judge. She'll probably score the dancers on their dresses rather than their dancing. This is a complete farce - more ageist behaviour from the BBC - such a pity because Arlene Phillips was great.

 

The Wise One
I shall definitely watch the new series now. I think Alesha is one of the most beautiful women on television and she will bring a lot to the show. Roll it on!

 

The teacher trainer
Why is it that TV (not just the BBC) thinks that because a woman has a pretty face, regardless of talent or experience, she will attract viewers? Once again this country is sending the message to the young: that you can get by on looks and youth. Surely it's illegal to discriminate against someone because of their age in this country?

 

jim98
Am gutted Alesha Dixon will be on the panel. I don't think I will be able to watch now as she is so annoying and has no technical knowledge or experience.

 

Alesha in, Arlene out: good decision? Have your say here

BlackKat
As a trained dancer myself, I think it's appalling that a professional with many years experience has been replaced by a young (albeit very beautiful) woman who was NOT trained as a dancer. Alesha did well and won the competition (however, Matt Di Angelo was actually the better dancer and, in my opinion, should have won) but is not qualified to sit on a panel of judges. The Beeb have made a huge mistake - I'm really saddened.

 

gingerbaby
Ridiculous! Alesha is not able to comment on how technically correct the dancing is; that's the reason there is a professional panel.

 

Moonlighting1
What a total farce Strictly is going to become! As a one-time dancer, I am positive that Alesha will NOT be able to critique any of the couples. I am wondering how the professional dancers feel about this: someone they taught is now going to mark them on their performance - what a laugh.

 

orlandob9
Another example of sexism by the BBC - disgraceful! I am sure Alesha Dixon is a wonderful person. But an expert dancer? I don't think so.

 

Bunny-Hugger
This sort of blatant sexism has got to stop. I bet no one is saying Len Goodman should be replaced for a younger model! Do the people in television land think we are so shallow? That we'd rather have a bit of eye candy rather than someone on the panel who actually knew what they were talking about? Makes my blood boil that this sort of thing is still happening.

 

Onlooker123
Utterly ridiculous to change the panel of judges - typical BBC Ageism. Did Arlene upset one of your highly overpaid executives I wonder?

 

sapphiresue
I think it is disgraceful to replace Arlene in such a way. Had she wanted to leave fair enough, but the BBC should be ashamed of themselves. To be honest, I am not even sure I shall watch the new series now.  

 

Baxen
I am afraid I have to agree with the majority that Arlene is one of the reasons we watch Strictly - replacing her with Alesha does not event warrant a response. Definitely smells of ageism and sexism. I hope the BBC is paying attention to these comments.

 

Ken Coventry
How dare they (whoever they are) axe Arlene! She knows more about dancing than any of the others, with perhaps the exception of Len Goodman.

 

cherry1612 
I agree with everything I've read so far about Alesha taking Arlene's place on the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing. As far as I'm aware, you have to have some dance/choreography credentials to be able to judge the dancers credibly. If I was a dancer on the show, I would not listen to her comments as she doesn't have enough experience to comment on anyone's abilities.

 

Alesha in, Arlene out: good decision? Have your say here

chellcat
Please get rid of Alesha! Which idiot at the BBC made the decision to sack Arlene? Obviously a man with his brains in the place where most men's brains are - and that is not in their heads!

 

Mr idontcare
Thank god for that! Arlene Phillips' claim to fame is she choreographed the only 'dance' group on the planet that made Pan's People actually look good. 
 
DancingKev
An awful decision. I love Alesha but Strictly wont be the same without Arlene. This is ageism gone mad. This will be the start of the downward spiral. What a great shame.

 

yfmf
I have just heard this news and I'm appalled. I like Alesha - she was a worthy winner. But to put her on the panel is a disgrace. What qualifies her to judge the dancers? What possible reason was there for replacing Arlene? I certainly hope it is not an age thing as has been suggested. I have never missed the show but cannot see myself watching the coming series.  

 

Jan Thomas
Ageism, sexism and PC rules. I shall not watch the programme again. Alesha Dixon is a pretty (if you like that sort of thing) empty-headed little thing with no knowledge or professional standing. With her on the jury the programme will be a joke.

 

Alesha in, Arlene out: good decision? Have your say here

 

Moppett
Arlene Phillips has worked with Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett, Tina Turner, The Bee Gees, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Queen, Cliff Richard, Diana Ross and Robbie Williams. She has choreographed over a 100 commercials, worked on films and theatrical productions and even directed Michael Flatley's arena production of Lord of the Dance. Alesha Dixon has done - What? Arlene the expert replaced by an amateur! Who's in charge of the asylum?

 

Martin-net
As I remarked some weeks ago about the prospect of Alesha being a judge, nice body - shame about the dancing. Good old BBC - another excuse to dumb down and replace Arlene's wisdom and expertise with a bit of fluffy eye-candy. I hope the professional dancers crucify her.

 

piggy33
I cannot believe that the BBC is axing Arlene for Alesha. Arlene is a professional choreographer with years of experience in dance. This stinks of sexism and if I were Arlene I would sue the BBC. We have Bruce over 80 and Len in his 60s - but that's okay because they are men.

 

R1S
What a very bad decision. I think the BBC has been watching X Factor too closely. Although Simon made a mistake when he axed Louis Walsh and essentially did a u-turn. 

 

Ally_A
If the BBC had really wanted to involve Alesha in the show, they should have replaced Claudia Winkleman on It Takes Two! The whole point of the judges is that they know what there talking about technically and can tell them how to improve. Why are the BBC trying to wreck a winning formula? 

 

chellcat
And here is the first commentary from Alesha as a judge.
 
Q. Alesha what did you think of the tango?
A. I prefer coke
Q. Can you give any words of encouragement?
A. Shorten your hemline and dont wear yellow, makes you look washed out.
 
Another informative commentary from the knowledgeable Miss Dixon.

 

mewhull
What next then? John Sergeant instead of Bruce?