Strictly Come Dancing 2009 **could contain Spoiler***

[Jojo]

lol I love Arlene. I think at least she has some expertise in the field to be able to make some of the comments she does, although sometimes I find her a bit OTT on the nastiness.

[Perdita]

Fiona Phillips has criticised the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing revamp, claiming that Alesha Dixon is not qualified to be a judge.

The former GMTV host, who took part in the show's 2005 series, admitted that she felt disappointed when the plans for this year's run were confirmed this week.

On Thursday, BBC bosses announced that choreographer Arlene Phillips had been axed from the programme in favour of former Strictly champion Dixon and professional dancer Darcey Bussell.

Writing in her column for The Mirror, the TV presenter asked: "Since when was Alesha Dixon a choreographer? And who, outside the chattering class pastures of the broadsheets and the Royal Ballet, cares about Darcey Bussell?"

She continued: "Arlene Phillips, on the other hand, was an essential part of the winning Strictly Come Dancing formula - her caustic comments cutting through the ice of a wintry Saturday night, willing you to throw your takeaway at the TV screen as she lay into a well-meant but hopeless celebrity dancer."

Fiona added that the former panel member is "a decent person" and acted like "a caring mother figure" once the cameras stopped rolling for the BBC One show.

Strictly Come Dancing returns in the autumn.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictly...y-changes.html

What makes her such an expert? She really seems to miss the limelight since quitting GMTV

[Hannelene]

I never thought I would ever feel this way but Fiona is right!

[Perdita]

SOAP star Reece Dinsdale is in talks to star in Strictly Come Dancing.
Reece, 49, has quit as Coronation Street prescription drugs addict Joe McIntyre despite being offered a massive pay rise to stay, because he feared being typecast.

A source told TV Biz: "Reece has loved Corrie but he wants to move on - and he reckons Strictly is the perfect move."

Actors have done well in the past. Holby City hunk Tom Chambers won last year and ex-EastEnder Jill Halfpenny took the crown in 2004.

The source added: "Reece wouldn't do just any reality show. Strictly is really respected."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...e-Dancing.html

[Hannelene]

Fiona would probably know as she was a contestant on SCD so she may of seen what happened on the show after the cameras stopped rolling

[Chloe O'brien]

Maybe the beeb will do a u turn with all the crap they have been given about replacing Arlene with Aleesha and decide to keep Arlene instead.

[LostVoodoo]

Maybe the beeb will do a u turn with all the crap they have been given about replacing Arlene with Aleesha and decide to keep Arlene instead.

people will have probably signed contracts by now. they'll be finalising contestants and partners in the next couple of weeks.

[Chloe O'brien]

Yeah but look at Britains got talent they signed up Kelly Brooke and they decided it was the wrong decision. If Aleesha has signed a contract she won't be getting paid half of what Arlene was and they could offer her a pay off as compensation. It would be better to do that then risks loosing viewers.

[Hannelene]

So are you building up my hopes that Alesha could be sacked like Kelly Brook was?

[Chloe O'brien]

So are you building up my hopes that Alesha could be sacked like Kelly Brook was?

I am hoping that the beeb listen to the licence payers for a change. I don't see why they are getting rid of Arlene her comments to the contestants were no worse than Craig SCD wouldn't have been voted best reality show at last years NTA awards if the viewers didn't like the format or judges on the show. If the beeb want a change of judge then fine replace Arlene with someone who knows what they are talking about. A member of the public who has watched every series of SCD will know more about the dances and steps than Alesha does. What they are doing is sexism and discrimination why don't they replace Len or Bruno with a hot young male with fresh air between his ears because that is what they are doing to Arlene.