Strictly Come Dancing 2009

JP Liz

Acid-tongued judge Arlene Phillips has reportedly been sacked from Strictly Come Dancing.

She will be replaced on the panel by former winner Alesha Dixon when the show returns later this year, reports The Sun.

The choreographer has been with the show since it launched back in 2004, however, it's believed she has been given the boot in a bid to attract a younger audience to the series.

A Strictly insider told the paper: "It's nothing personal against Arlene - she's been brilliant. But the bosses want to bring in younger viewers - the 16 to 34-year-olds that X Factor mops up."

Although Alesha is yet to sign up for the series, the show's producers believe she is the perfect replacement for Arlene and will boost ratings in the same way that Cheryl Cole did for their ITV rivals.

The news comes just days after The X Factor revealed that it is revamping the new series by holding the auditions in front of a live audience and moving the results show to a Sunday night.

The changes put even more pressure on Strictly to attract younger viewers - particularly when the two shows go head to head.

A BBC spokesman said: "We can't confirm anything about the new series of Strictly yet, but we are always looking at ways to maximise viewers' enjoyment of our shows."

:eek:

lostexpectation

if they got rid of yerman the main judge they might briing the avergage age down more

JP Liz

Alesha Dixon and Darcey Bussell have been confirmed as judges for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

BBC One controller Jay Hunt revealed the appointments this morning, following a month of speculation surrounding the show's replacement for 66-year-old Arlene Phillips.

Dixon, who won the competition in 2007, is a full-time panel member, while Bussell will appear as a guest judge at the end of the series. The professional dancer will also have a role on this year's spinoff show It Takes Two, it has been confirmed.

"As a former Strictly champion, Alesha knows exactly what it takes to win," said Hunt. "Her eye for great performance and her charisma and charm make Alesha a great addition to the judging panel.

"Darcey has impeccable credentials as a dancer and, as a guest judge, she will bring an exciting new dimension to the last few weeks of the Strictly competition."

Speaking about her return to the show, Dixon said: "I'm honoured and excited to be joining the judging panel. I've always felt like part of the Strictly family and really believe in the show."

Bussell added: "It is a real pleasure to have been invited to join Strictly Come Dancing. It is a fantastic show and I'm looking forward to getting to know the dancers and being part of the excitement."

Strictly Come Dancing will air on BBC One in the autumn.

flutegirl

Never too early to start a Strictly thread, not sure about Alesha as a judge tho

Posy

As usual it's the older woman in the 'firing' line; the 80 year old host stays put I see. :rolleyes:

angel01

Arlene was a good judge, ok she got a bit close to the bone last year but she has experience and she should never have been sacked :mad:

laceyl

im going to miss arlene She wasn't half as annoying as bruno is, and Alesha is a lovely girl but seriously her laugh...it makes me want to cry!! Also dont think shes really quailified to judge proffesional dancers.

angel01

Allegedly the new Pro dancer:

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/showbiz/420442/DALLERUP-N-UNDER-Aussie-bombshell-Natalie-Rowe-to-replace-Camilla-Dallerup.html

flutegirl

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a167840/natalie-cassidy-tipped-for-strictly.html

Think she would be good.

JP Liz

The BBC has dismissed allegations that Sharon Osbourne and Richard Madeley have quit this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Earlier today, tabloid reports suggested that the pair pulled out of the BBC One reality show because of pay cuts.

However, the broadcaster dismissed the claims, insisting that there is "no truth to the rumours".

How much money does Sharon want?

flutegirl

If she does end up on the show I hope she's paired with James Jordan, he wont stand for any nonsense.

Shame about Richard Madeley, think he would've been good too. Can't wait for the show to return!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a168071/bbc-clarifies-strictly-celebrity-rumours.html

Would have thought it was fairly late in the day to only be signing people up now given the comment that's needed if they go far in the show.

mjmurph

Strictly Come Dancing stars Kristina Rihanoff and Brian Fortuna are teaching salsa dance masterclass at Wandsworth Palais ballroom on Sunday 23rd August, 2pm to 5pm.
They will be giving a beginner’s lesson and then will perform a full dance recital followed by a Q and A session, photos and autographs, and a social dance at the end.
It’s an amazing opportunity to meet and have a lesson with the Strictly dancers, who are both back in the new series on BBC1 this autumn. Tickets are £40 per person, or £70 per couple, you can book them on ticketweb.co.uk
or call the Box Office on 0844 847 1648
Wandsworth Palais, 52-54 Wandsworth High Street, London, SW18 4

flutegirl

Will be good to see the pair of them returning to Strictly, especially Brian.

flutegirl

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a168935/karen-hardy-axed-from-strictly.html

Shame, as she was one of my favourite pros.:(

flutegirl

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a169420/strictly-pro-hayley-fired-via-email.html

lostexpectation

she is to become government dance champion to fight the flab in the uk
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6794111.ece

flutegirl

Hurrah

flutegirl

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a172670/ali-bastian-linked-to-strictly.html

flutegirl

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/showbiz/strictly_come_dancing/465631/Strictly-pound50000-per-star-Come-Dancing-stars-paid-fixed-amount-BBC.html

JP Liz

The wait is over! The BBC today confirmed the line-up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
To be honest, there aren't a lot of surprises as most of the names had already been linked to the series over the past few months. In fact, the only big surprises were that Fern Britton and La Toya Jackson are not taking part, despite speculation that they would be competing. So, who is taking part then?
From soapland we have former EastEnders' actress Natalie Cassidy, who will be dancing with Vincent Simone and fellow EastEnder Ricky Groves, whose partner is Erin Boag. Coronation Street is represented by Craig Kelly (dancing with Flavia Cacace) and Hollyoaks' Ricky Whittle will be taking part alongside professional dancer Natalie Lowe.
Footballers' Wives' actresses Zoe Lucker (dancing with James Jordan) and Laila Rouass (dancing with Anton Du Beke) will be reunited on the show, and the showbiz line-up is completed by actress and presenter Lynda Bellingham (dancing with Darren Bennett) and The Bill's Ali Bastian.
The sporting world is represented by former women's world number one tennis player Martina Hingis, who is dancing with Matthew Cutler, and Olympic athlete Jade Johnston, who is dancing with Ian Waite. They are joined by horse racing legend Richard Dunwoody (dancing with Lilia Kopylova) and boxing world champion Joe Calzaghe (dancing with Kristina Rihanoff). I'm A Celebrity winner and former cricketer Phil Tufnell, who is dancing with Katya Virshilas, completes the sporting line-up.
BBC presenters Chris Hollins (dancing with Ola Jordan) and Rav Wilding (dancing with Aliona Vilani) will also take part, alongside model and businesswoman Jo Wood, who is dancing with Brendan Cole.
In a big departure, this year's series will kick off on a Friday night and there will be editions on both Friday and Saturday for the first two weeks. There have also been changes to the voting system and how points are awarded in the event of a tie in judges' scores. This means - and we quote - 'should there be a tie any one couple can be saved from the dance off, and no one couple is safe'. Hopefully you understand that bit.
The show's presenter Bruce Forsyth took the opportunity at the press launch to hit back at claims that The X Factor had beaten Strictly last year in the ratings. The veteran entertainer handed out copies of the ratings data to back up his claim.

Ginny

I'm quote excited, but annoyed the BBC clips won't work for us...:(
http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/

flutegirl

Ginny wrote: »

I'm quote excited, but annoyed the BBC clips won't work for us...:(
http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/

Somebody off the other forums will post them on youtube eventually.

Mr.Nice Guy

Why was Hayley axed? She was hot.

Full line-up for this year here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1208889/Strictly-Come-Dancing-Natalie-Cassidy-battle-Martina-Hingis-Zoe-Lucker-dancefloor-Strictly-returns.html

flutegirl

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Why was Hayley axed? She was hot.

Full line-up for this year here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1208889/Strictly-Come-Dancing-Natalie-Cassidy-battle-Martina-Hingis-Zoe-Lucker-dancefloor-Strictly-returns.html

It's all part of the "new improved" Strictly to encourage younger viewers and beat X-Factor to a pulp. :rolleyes:

flutegirl

Ginny wrote: »

I'm quote excited, but annoyed the BBC clips won't work for us...:(http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/

This one from the bbc site works

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8220020.stm

lostexpectation

so who are the judges alisha darcy len and ?

flutegirl

lostexpectation wrote: »

so who are the judges alisha darcy len and ?

... Bruno and Craig. Alesha, Len, Bruno and Craig are the main judges, Darcy comes in to judge towards the end, rumour has it she's stepping in for Craig towards the end of the run, she'll also be on ITT as well.

flutegirl

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a175749/first-strictly-show-details-confirmed.html

flutegirl

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a176547/wood-leaves-strictly-training-in-a-strop.html

Posy

Are there going to be Friday shows this year? That'd just be strange. :eek:

flutegirl

Posy wrote: »

Are there going to be Friday shows this year? That'd just be strange. :eek:

There are 2 Friday shows, tomorrow and next week, and then Saturday only.