Strictly - shall you?

Or just have the professionals, like in the old days?

Just professional dancers?

I do agree with others that parts of Strictly are becoming a bit hackneyed. I would also do away with any video clips of the celebrities in their usual setting - it has nothing to do with the show plus it's more interesting watching them learn to dance, isn't that what the programme is based on?

Anyone else think that Aliona looked a bit uncomfortable with Greg? I know she can be a bit reserved at the best of times but she looked positively distant!

It seems like they had all the best dancers in the second show. I loved Simon's jive (and his Michael Jackson 'whee hee hee') and the wildlife chap (what a pair of arms on him!) and he moved really well for such a big man.

I thought Claudia was quite funny tonight, and it didn't sound rehearsed. As Hollydaze says, delightfully quirky.

I think Claudia has settled in now and her personality comes through, but she is making Tess look ridiculously OTT with all her posturing.

Who's going to be first out? Greg gets my vote.

she is making Tess look ridiculously OTT with all her posturing.

Tess, to me, has always looked ill-at-ease, I used to wonder if it was Brucie but apparently not, she still looks really wooden; and her jokes are rubbish.

Who's going to be first out? Greg gets my vote.

It will be interesting to see but Greg would get my vote. Don't know what it is about the man but I just can't take to him in any role.

I agree with what everyone has said tonight - love Alison, am glad Claudia's back to her old self, Tess is rubbish and can't stand Greg!

I've never realy watched the programme but thought I'd give it a go tonight. I really disliked Clauia when she took over Film Night [too much of, what seemed to be false giggling] but I think she was great tonight and very funny. Hadn't realised she was Eve Pollards daughter.

I agree with what everyone has said tonight - love Alison, am glad Claudia's back to her old self, Tess is rubbish and can't stand Greg! grin

Ah, great minds eh

Hadn't realised she was Eve Pollards daughter

Is she! I didn't know that either.

I googled her because she seems to have been around forever and yet I knew nothing about her.

Claudia's sister, Sophie is married to Princess Michael's son Freddie, or Lord Frederick Windsor to give him his full title.

Agree that Claudia is natural and way, way better than Tess, who is so false and just poses all of the time.

My vote off would be as follows;

First to go Judy ( I have a famous son) Murray who is a miserable old hag and only smiles when the camera is on "her".

Second Greg ( green grocer ) Wallace. Jeez how bad was he tonight?

Third (I hate to say it cos I love her personality) but Mrs Brown's daughter/wife.

Promised myself I wouldn't watch this series.

merlot - really?! I never realised that. Wow.

I like 'em both. Think they're good together. Really enjoyed the programme tonight. Didn't think I ^could* enjoy yet another series.

Hollydaze, it was called Come Dancing in the old days when they just had professionals.

Ah, I see durhamjen - I have only been watching Strictly for about 6 years and only know it in its current format.

It used to be on in black and white, and go round lots of ballrooms. It was in colour when it finished towards the end of the 90s.

Never thought I'd say it but Claudia was looking so much better tonight - white lipstick and all (where does anyone buy white lipstick nowadays?) I do think she looks better with the shorter fringe though.

Tess is just awful. I thought perhaps she was scripted to be the dumb Bimbo for Brucie, but she's just the same without him. And all that arguing with the judges when her knowledge of dancing would fit on a postage stamp!

I have been critical of both Tess and Claudia and would like to exchange them for two less gushing presenters and preferably someone with natural humour and one with real dancing knowledge.

Here are my two contenders. Who would you choose ?

Anton du Bec and Angela Rippon

I love Anton and think he would be brilliant as the main presenter but I'd keep Claudia and make Tess redundant. Apart from being very pretty she adds nothing to the programme and I hate the way her accent veers between Northern and what she thinks is posh.

The motion before us, Hon. Members:

"That this house is of the opinion that Strictly Come Dancing would be immensely improved by the addition of Anton du Beke as co-presenter, with Claudia Winkleman. Tess Daly should be allowed to shimmy off, with thanks, to join Sir Brucie in the great upstairs."

All in favour? Aye!

Aye!

Aye aye!

No, sorry, I would get rid of Claudia and invite Karen Hardy, who used to be one of the professional dancers, to return. She and Anton or John Barrowman even would be a good choice.

Aye! here as well

No! to Angela Rippon. She sets my teeth on edge. Great legs though.

If Anton were to become one of the presenters I wonder who would be stuck with the 'duffers'?

Aye!

(except I'd miss Anton and his dancing)