Here are the 3 new male dancers.

mmmm me likey 

Brian Fortuna has quit due to this decision.


Strictly Come Dancing star Brian Fortuna quit the show last night after BBC chiefs demoted him and four other professional dancers and replaced them with younger stars.
Mr Fortuna, Ian Waite, Matthew Cutler, Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova - who are mostly in their 30s - were offered roles in a 'professional dance troupe', meaning they will no longer compete in the show or be paired with celebrities.
The announcement will reignite claims of ageism at the BBC as the three new dancers brought in to replace them are nearly a decade younger than their predecessors.


Gutted Matthew is going too, at least theres something that can't be blamed on Alesha this time PMSL.

I didn't watch any of it last year because of the Arlene/Alesha thing, and I won't be watching it this time either.
It sounds like it's turned into more of a personality contest than a dance one. It started with John Sergeant and carried on last year when, from what I've heard, the bloke who won was nowhere near being the best dancer.

I like Darren, Matthew, Ian, Brian and Lilia - why do they have to keep changing things?

The BBC's press release says:
"Each of them brings a new area of dance expertise and will join in a series which features more genres of dance than ever before."
But why?
It's a ballroom dancing competition for goodness sake. I am not suggesting that things don't change over a period of many years, but I remain very happy with the standard and staple dances we already get.
Another instance, I suppose, of change for changes sake.

I absolotely love all the demoted dancers ..................what's wrong with the beeb - if it aint broke don't fix it!. I especially love Iain.

I think the beeb must be trying to keep up with the oh so tacky US -'Dancing With the Stars'.

LEAVE IT ALONE!!!

Dancing with the Stars is absolute gloop compared to our version. I can't watch the US one.

Why...?  Why do they do this?

They've b*ggered about with this show and spoilt it in the past.
Looks like some Head Honcho Idiot is determined to contine.

Someone from the Phil Edgar Jones school of telly production.

Delighted Kristina is back, only pros I really like who are returning apart from her are Brendan, Anton, Vincent and Natalie.  Erin and Aliona leave me cold, don't mind Flavia. Look forward to seeing the new male dancers.


Not bothered about Darren and Lilia tbh, I respect what they have acheived and I wish them well, poor Ian is all I can say.

I have mixed feelings about this.... I think it is silly to mess about with a good formula....don't like the idea of ageism one little bit ( and IMO Alesha  replacing Arelene added nothing  to the programme), but have to say the one of the left is quite cute

Rumours were that Camilla was in talks to become a judge, however Alesha has apparently confirmed that she would be back... but i've saw a rumour that the contract hasn't been officially signed yet.  If any of this was true then Camilla would be a fifth judge anyway I think?


I'm glad Arlene left and I do hope that this series won't be the same Alesha/Arlene debates that the whole of last year had which were becoming a major distraction from the dancing. 


Len better not be as grumpy this time, the jetlag of doing DWTS was certainly getting to him.

Really sad to see Brian and Matthew go in particular.


I understand though that they feel the need to keep programmes like these fresh.

Didn't think I'd like Alesha as i was abig fan of Arlene but she was actually alright.



And Baz, I agree with you,  I think Artem on the left there could become my new favourite.

Yep. I can't believe why they change things when the programme is so popular.

I don't always believe in change but sometimes it is good, in some ways it keeps the format fresh or it could backfire. Some will never accept change in a show like SCD which is fair, however there would probably be moaning if they kept things as the same from some people as we all can't be satisfied.



Not a fan of how the BBC have gone about their business in some cases regarding the show, however they are damned whatever they do because everyone will still be moaning regardless.

Aww Matt, Brian, Darren and Lilia were among my favs
Don't really care for Christina!

Re-reading it only says Brian is going - although I'm sad about that. The others may still join the professional "troupe" ??

 But I need to see him wink first Hi Miss S

Jared is cute
I'm going to miss Brian, though. He was my fav.

 Hello Baz.

Oh of course - it all hinges on that and how good he looks in lycra

What are your thoughts Yogi?

The one on the left and the one in the middle are rather tasty  - and those pecs!

 Hi Miss S, are you all set for tonight?