Reader views (31)

 Add your view

Karen Hardy was one of the best dancers on strictly. If she lacked any thing in talent she made up for it in her brilliant choreography.

Aleysha should not have replaced Arlene she hasn't got the knowledge or the experience and her comments cannot be taken seriously.

Say goodbye to another 5 viewers.

- Denise Smith, Barnsley, 13/10/2009 12:53
Report abuse

NO WAY is she 39 years old! That just doesn't seem possible, she looks at least a decade younger.

If she was sacked for being 'too old' then it was definitely a woman who did it, no right-minded, red-blooded man would have...

- John, London, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

I REFUSE, WILL NEVER WATCH IF THEY KEEP THAT VERY OLD MAN BRUCE FORSYTHE Forget it BBC you are fast becoming the dinosaur

- Amazonmothe, hasting, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

She ain't too old for me..........luvvly lass

- Kedge, wilts, england, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Maybe men can stop being blamed for all the ills of womankind. (true they can be blamed for some but not all). More recently it's the sisterhood who seem to be sticking the knife into their own kind. If it's not Jay Hunt dumping Arlene Phillips cos' she's deemed 'over the hill' then it's those witches on loose women bitching and sniping or the the self loathing female editors of trashy mags with their front headlines, she too fat one week, she's too thin next week, katona this, katona that. Thoguh i fear we're stuck with this for some time to come as women appear to take glee in other women falling of their 'pretty' little perch - something to do with low self-esteem no doubt.

- Jack, London, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

I think Karen should replace Arlene with her vast experience in dancing
She is a valuable asset

- Elizabeth Farrell, Croydon surrey UK, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Given the age of most of the administrators of the BBC they should all get the sack now, after all who watches television

- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

I'm sick of all of this messing about with a winning formula. It is just horrible how women have been treated by the BBC. I really liked the show but now I've had enough. I won't be watching it this year. But i'm pretty sure the BBC won't care as I'm over 35 and am probably not their target audience. The BBC has to know that the audiences for Strictly and the audience for the X Factor are different and they aren't going to pull a substantial amount of people over by doing these ridiculous staffing chances. i can not believe i am paying for this with my t.v. license. It's very, very disappointing.

- Lynn, London, England, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

The BBC are demonstrating their ignorance of the subject of the Programme. Think of it as national Football. Suppose two of the most experienced and successful players were axed and young new players substituted, because they had shone once! - what would be the reaction from football fans? The BBC lack of understanding does not excuse them -they should LISTEN to the public, many thousands of whom obviously know more than they do! (And, please remember, Bruce is supplied with a scrIpt - he does not ad lib all his material, he does not enjoy it any more than you do. as many people seem to think!)
The BBC have lost the plot - even the music can sometimes be inappropriate to the point of weird. and no one on the Programme is allowed to criticise. Who chooses it? Not the dancers, or the judges, or even the Orchestra. Well, who? And for goodness sake, why? Some of the music can be almost impossible to dance to. An excellently choreographed dance can be ruined by inappropriate music - and has been!
Someone with an understanding of ballroom/Latin both dance and music is required here, to sort this fiasco out.
BBC, get professional help here before it is too late! This country has the best teachers and trainers of this genre in the World! Use them!

- Pauline Ruminska, Bournemouth England, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

The BBC make me angry with their eye fodder. We get older, intellgient, exerienced and popular men who full of character, which is wonderful so why do they they think have to give us young supposedly pretty women who are just not up to the job. Somebody needs to stop this.

And Alesha Dixon replacing Ms Phillips is going to kill the show. Ms Philips was knowledgeable, daming and funny.. I fear Alesha's comments will be weak, shallow and fawning. Hope I am wrong.

- Stephen, London, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Now is the perfect time for people to show their disagreement with the BBC for its attitude to older women. Switch off Strictly Come Dancing.

- Mj, East Anglia, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

As a social dancer my wife and I have religously watched Strictly since day one, although we don't always agree with the judges comments we do respect there views and there experience in the profession, gives them the right to be there. We understnd technical content and terminology i.e. heel leads, heel turns, spin turns, chassis,etc.etc. and can relate to the judges comments. Axing Arlene from the judging panel is not right, she has the experience and knowledge to be there. As good a dancer as Alesha Dixon was does not give her the right to be there judging the skill of others like her. Now I read one of our favourites Karen Hardy is being axed, our overall favourite Cammila is quiting, "I wonder why?". BBC you are losing the plot and you will lose viewers to this popular show,

- Sue & Alan Dunlop, Chester, England, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

I think it's disgusting! why should highly experianced women be made to leave from our televisions by sexist males that make up the BBC boardroom and leave ageing male stars to still grace our screens! This is Sexism as well as ageism. Older females have just as much relevance on prime time television just as much as older males!
Get rid of the bosses not the stars!

- Natalie, London, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

I think the person who should be sacked or dismissed is this Jay Hunt, she has made a complete mockery of a very good Saturday night entertainment show, whilst I loved watching Alesha dance she does not have the knowledge or experience which Karen and Arlene have, and what does Darcey Bussell know about ballroom dancing??? I will not be watching this program any more they have ruined it for me

- Chris Ford, Cowes Isle of Wight, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

The BBC has ruined the show axing Arlene in favour of Alesha, and now getting rid of the older dancers.
Alesha is a lovely girl but has no idea what so ever about judging a dance competition.
Sad way to go into this series with such poor decisions.
Bring back Arlene, we don't care how old she is !!!!

- Scd Fan, UK, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Karen Hardy has bags of personality in addition to be an excellent dancer - just what is required. Hayley whatever her name is may be blonde and young but totally lacking in personality and cannot remember her dancing either. Arlene has so much experience and is easy on the eye any way. What can Alesha bring to the panel - only prettiness nothing else, she has NO experience for the role of judge whatsoever and her comments will be a pure waste of time. Time for the BBC to wake up - kids who are 'wannabe' singers are not going to watch Strictly anyway even if they do have a couple of bimbos on board.

- E. Code, Sussex UK, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

What a mess the BBC are making of Strictly Com Dancing. Ageism rules and talent doesn't. What was my favourite programm will no longer be watched in my home. l am disgusted by the actions of the BBC. Elsie Smith

- Elsie Smith, wigan uk, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

I shall not be watching this show again. I would like to say, though, that Bruce Forsyth should be sacked, ias he is egocentric and inane.and it would make for better viewing.

- Pam, London, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Why complain? There's 2 replacements for the age of one!

- Bob The Builder, london, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

I think the person who should be sacked or dismissed is this Jay Hunt, she has made a complete mockery of a very good Saturday night entertainment show, whilst I loved watching Alesha dance she does not have the knowledge or experience which Karen and Arlene have, and what does Darcey Bussell know about ballroom dancing??? I will not be watching this program any more they have ruined it for me

- Chris Ford, Cowes Isle of Wight, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Firstly, the show would be much better off if Karen had replaced Arlene who is extremely knowledgeable but just a bit too abrasive. Putting Alesha on the panel cheapens the whole show - she just isn't knowledgeable enough. Secondly, the BBC seems to have got themselves in a bit of a muddle. Getting rid of the older women to please the younger audience (supposedly) but keeping Bruce Forsyth who alienates most of the same audience. I think they have shot themselves in the foot again.

- Sally, London, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

If it ain't broke, why is the BBC 'fixing' it?

In agreement with others, Alesha is fab, I love her, but she doesn't have experience. Karen is brilliant and one of the most passionate dancers on the show, okay she's had health problems in the past - perhaps this is her reason to leave? If not... what the hell is the BBC playing at? SCD is probably the only light entertainment show worth watching, I shall give it the first 3 shows to judge... if it's not up to scratch of the past series, I won't bother watching. It's sad, very sad. Isn't practisiing ageism illegal :yet?

Most of the Beeb's output currently is dumbed down to appeal to an extremely dumbed down 12 y.o. Yes, sad... very, it's ptiful to witness the steady decline of a once world-leading programme maker. Anyone watched the 'Bang Goes The Theory' 'science' show? What a joke... why do adults have to have kids programming rammed down their throats at primetime. Please credit your audience with some intelliigence, we do not need puerile presentation of science! OU-ch!!!

- Cazz, Brighton, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

I do think this is a crazy decision, if it was not Ms Hardy's wish to leave. An analogy is Arsene Wenger who now realises you cannot have a quality product when it is purely youthful. There has to be balance. Although she was a bit quirky and batty sometimes Ms Phillips was brilliantly entertaining. Ms Hardy is innovative and an exciting partner for celebrities. I am getting more angry as I write.

- Bryan Stanion, Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Talk about stirring it. Every body new last xmas she would not be continuing as she opened her studio. Camilla wa never going to return after she won with Tom. IT IS NOT AGEISM!!!!!!

- Jackie Norris, Maidstone, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

The show will go on. Shame to see Karen go , she had a great body, with great legs a lovely smile and danced amazingly, i do hope they have a replacement with similar qualifications.

- Mr S.Port, London, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Perhaps the older women should go on a course with Jay Hunt's Presentation Company!

- David Burns, Beckenham, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

After several debacles last season, all of which were prompted by the comments and behavior of the judges, its not a surprise to see the producers trying something different. Arlene is gone because she went “outside” the show to make comments of the John Sargent affair, not because she is too old. Having a non-professional as a judge is good – as the millions of viewers need a “common man/woman” viewpoint.

Sad to see Karen Hardy go – she has a great genuine passion. Remains to be seen if king size “Richard-Head” James Jordan is back this season, he most certainly would not be a loss if he was replaced.

- Mike, Dublin, Ireland, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Replaced by 2 foreign dancers seems just right to me. One should remember labours quote, british jobs for british workers and then let in 2million poles to do the jobs.

- Stan White, leeds, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

With legs like that,somebody at the Bbc needs to visit an optician.

- Michael Monaghan, London, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

I certainly will not be watching strictly this year, I have loved the show since the beginning, but what are the BBC doing, as much as I like Alesha, how can she judge the dancing - she has only just learned half the steps recently herself, surely there must have been someone else with dancing talent and good looks and youth who could have taken Arlenes role, oh yes, Karen. why has the BBC let her go, she is lovely and has lots of talent. The BBC has lost the plot.

- Sally, Leeds, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

How replacing the programme to boot. BBC should not be using licence fees to attempt to recycle the careers of minor celebrities and sportsmen who have hung up their boots.

- Jim, London, 13/10/2009 11:53
Report abuse

Add your comment