Strictly Come Dancing 2011 *** may contain spoiler*******

[Perdita]

Several Strictly Come Dancing stars are reportedly facing the axe in an end-of-series clear-out.

Professional dancers Ola Jordan and husband James are unlikely to return next year following a series of backstage rows.

A show insider told the Daily Star Sunday: "There could be a very different lineup this time next year. Producers are keen to keep things fresh so quite a few faces could be dropped.

"It's going to be brutal for some of them. But that's the way it works when you're on telly's top show.

"The only ones who have been discussed are Ola and James at the moment. They might be liked by viewers but that may not be enough to save them."

The pair have already been axed from the Strictly Come Dancing tour, apparently due to their behaviour on the show.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood later labelled the pair selfish after James "moaned" about his axe on Twitter.

The atmosphere backstage is said to have been "tense in the extreme" during this year's series, with James and Revel Horwood barely on speaking terms.

Meanwhile, the judges will return next year since Strictly Come Dancing bosses have "learned from The X Factor" that changing the panel can cause ratings to drop.

[megan999]

Congratulations to Harry & Aliona Wasn't Aliona in the Final last year with Matt Baker?

[Tuareet]

Yes she was.

[Chloe O'brien]

Next year she will get paired with someone who is really bad so she goes out early.

[megan999]

Next year she will get paired with someone who is really bad so she goes out early.

You're probaby right. We're such cynics

[megan999]

Kara Tointon is fave to replace Alesha Dixon
Actress is being lined up as new judge on Strictly Come Dancing

EX-EastEnders actress Kara Tointon is favourite to replace Alesha Dixon on Strictly Come Dancing's judging panel, BBC insiders said last night.

Kara won the show in 2010 and is engaged to Strictly dancer Artem Chigvintsev.

But the move could spark a catfight as dancer Karen Hardy is desperate for the job and is already a consultant on the show.

Meanwhile, fans of Arlene Phillips, axed from Strictly in 2009 and replaced by Alesha, are demanding her return.

She tweeted: "I'm overwhelmed by your incredible tweets campaigns and Facebook messages."

source: The Sun

---> I liked Alesha as a judge.

[Tuareet]

Unless they get rid of Artem, Karra can't be a judge as it would be deemed an unfair advantage to him.

[Chloe O'brien]

It should be Karen, Arlene or another professional like Camillia or Darren's wife can't remember her name because they know what they are talking about when they give advice on how to improve their skills. Kara would be just as useless as Alesha, being on a dancing competition show for three months doesn't qualify you as an expert.

[Perdita]

Strictly Come Dancing is going virtual after the BBC signed a deal to take its hit show online.
UK users of the Stardoll website, which is aimed at teenage girls, will be able to dress their avatars in the show's trademark sequinned outfits, get props and design their own dancefloor for the online characters.
There are 145 million avatars, known by users as MeDolls, on the site, which has members around the world.
Simon Hutson, director of digital development at BBC Worldwide, said: "Attracting new audiences as well as building strong relationships with some of the show's most passionate young fans in new and engaging ways marks a very exciting move for the Strictly brand.
"This digital world allows fans to experience the glamour of the ballroom before, during and after the show's transmission, and ensures they have their own way of interacting with the show in an environment they already socialise in."
The move is the latest step in the show's huge commercial success.
The most recent series, won by McFly drummer Harry Judd, regularly beat ITV rival The X Factor in the ratings attracting more than 12 million viewers.
The hit ballroom show has been sold to more than 35 countries under the name Dancing With The Stars and is estimated to have an audience of around half-a-billion in 75 countries around the world.

PA

[Perdita]

Richard Hopkins, best known as the producer of Strictly Come Dancing, has died at the age of 47.

The TV executive, who had been suffering from cancer, passed away on Saturday and is survived by his wife Katy and his three daughters, reports BBC News.

After successfully pitching and developing Strictly, Hopkins sold the format to the US and acted as executive producer of Dancing with the Stars for its first season.

His other credits include Big Brother, The Big Breakfast, Fame Academy and Mastermind.

Hopkins also produced Channel 4's The 11 O'Clock Show, which launched the careers of Ricky Gervais and Sacha Baron Cohen.

BBC entertainment commissioning controller Mark Linsey hailed Hopkins as "one of the leading entertainment producers of his generation".

"His drive, energy and passion was an example to us all and whatever the size of the project, regardless of the broadcaster, he gave it the same professionalism and dynamic approach," Linsey explained.

"People who had the pleasure of working with Richard will always remember him as a joy to work with and someone absolutely dedicated to his profession."

His joint managing director at Fever Media, David Mortimer, commented: "Television is, by its nature, an ephemeral business, so very few of us can hope to have any lasting legacy.

"Richard was a glorious exception to this rule and, as one of the greatest producers of his generation, he quite literally got the world dancing."


RIP Richard