Anton du Beke to join ^Strictly^ judges.

I’m glad to see him as a judge, but I can imagine the complaints there’ll be, the same as for the other judges, except Len perhaps.

I like Anton but he needs to be tougher, I can’t stand Shirley!, and the presenters are irritating!

Pleased he will be judging. He is very knowledgeable and quite amusing too. A breath of fresh air.

I'm really glad to see it! Although I agree, he needs to be more than just nice this time.

Anything that keeps us away from Bruno's buffoonery is great by me - but I like Anton in his own right too.

I don't mind Shirley Ballas, though I find it embarrassing when she leches at the younger men.
I can't think it anything that Motsi Mabuse contributes to the panel.
I love Craig with a secret passion ?

No doubt he'll say that everyone is 'marvellous'!

I think he was minding his p's and q's when he was, briefly, judging last year. This time he can, hopefully, be more honest about the celebrities.....and funny too I expect

Yes I’d love him to present the show. Possibly alongside Claudia who I love. Can’t stand Tess Daly. But I know he’s a bit marmite, as many people can’t stand him as love him.

I am pleased for him - he has had a raw deal so far.

I love Anton and felt he always got lumbered with the person with 2 left feet.I am glad he is going to be a judge did not watch the last series as l did not like all the political correctness shenanigans. Doubt l will watch this series either.l think its had its day!

All the political correctness shenanigans? I'm going to guess you mean a couple made up of 2 women?

Is PC gone mad, I tell you!

And Anton got to the final twice.

Anyway, I liked him as a judge, he was nice to people but marked them fairly I thought.

I'll miss him on the dance floor. Lovely dancer and always has a fun partner. Will make an excellent judge though.

I always wanted him to replace Bruce as the presenter but he’ll be a great judge. Was always unfair the partners he was given!

Polnan, the book isn`t totally about Christmas, the story starts in April of that year.

I agree with most that he would have been a fabulous presenter to follow in Bruce’s dancing shoes. Similar style and humour.
I’m not a fan of Tess Daly but quite like Claudia.
I’d love to see Arlene Philips return and join Craig, Darcy and Shirley. However if Anton isn’t presenting then Craig, Arlene, Shirley and Anton to judge and perhaps a good all round showman to present, someone like Brian Conley.

Great to see Anton make the transition from dancer to judge, a well deserved reward for 18 years of partnering some of the more interesting ladies, some formidable ladies and some of the worst dancers. First step towards him getting his own show.

Don’t see the point of same sex couples in Strictly or Dancing on Ice. The sexuality of the pair is irrelevant. The dance in both cases is more about physicality. Just think it works better with a male and a female partnership.

I have just read and re-read your post several times LN- and it just does not make sense, sorry. If the sexuality of the pair is irrelevant how can it at the same time ...?

Dance is about exploring what you can so with your body. Here's a picture of male flamenco dancer Manuel Liñán in a bata de cola skirt and manton.

Hope nobody's head explodes.

can do, obviously. Sorry.

I thought he was trying too hard to be like Len but definitely didn’t manage to pull it off.

I wonder who'll partner any more mature person who is in it this year.

Nankate I so agree. Can’t stand their stupid attempts to be funny. Not keen on the female judges either. I like to record it and only watch the dancing.

LauraNorder The dance in both cases is more about physicality. Just think it works better with a male and a female partnership.

I agree. There are certain moves that are hard to do with same sex couples. One man cannot swing another man above his head, etc. unless the man to be swung/lifted is of slight build. Ditto women.

Oh, I love this topic, really.

Lets talk about Argentine Tango. All that sultry posing about and throwing women in the air? Argentine tango was famously danced in the milongas by same-sex male couples showing off their moves to impress the ladies, or to fill time until the ladies arrived. The stylised dances of all styles that we see on Strictly have evolved from much baser versions of the dances and the male/female idea is just what we have got used to.

Seeing the all female couple dance last year made my heart soar, really. And when the two men danced together the year before, it was one of those never-forget moments.

Male/male, female/female partnering seems a bit forced to me. I prefer clearly defined roles in dance like in ballet where the female is on pointes and the male in flat shoes. The movements feel more organic and romantic.