Source: daily mail
The BBC’s attempts to revamp Strictly Come Dancing by recruiting Alesha Dixon as a judge appear to have backfired – with thousands of complaints flooding in.
Fans of the show claim the former champion is ‘nice but rubbish at judging’ and should never have been chosen to replace dancing expert Arlene Phillips.
They are now calling on the channel to ditch the singer and reinstate Arlene, whose departure tied the corporation up in a fierce ageism debate.
The appointment of Alesha, who commentators agree was brought in to ‘sex up’ the show, angered many.
After she made her debut on Friday night viewers rushed to slate her performance on MailOnline. And more than 2,500 used the BBC’s own Strictly fan site to rubbish Alesha’s performance.
Many complained that her comments added little to their understanding of the dancing process, saying she was more cheerleader than judge.
Rachel in Northampton wrote: ‘Alesha is a lovely girl but I don’t like her as a judge – in a show like this a judge needs to be able to comment on technique, not just saying “I know how you feel”.’
Dennis in Richmond agreed: ‘Arlene was missed. New girl, giggly and fluffy, but didn’t add any real content.’
Fans complained that Alesha, who won the show in 2007, showed her lack of experience in her comments.
She said to Oxo mum Lynda Bellingham: ‘One word. Fierce.’
And athlete Jade Johnson was told: ‘You both look great together. I’m looking forward to your Latin.’
Alesha was also criticised for giving many of the dancers similar advice.
She advised Rav Wilding: ‘It was a bit odd with the arms,’ while Martina Hingis was told: ‘You need to work on your arms more. For me they were a bit flyaway.’
And she mentioned arms again when she told Jade: ‘Your arms were a bit throwaway.’
Now fans are keen to persuade the BBC to ‘bring back Arlene’.
Lucy in Newcastle said a petition should be started: ‘One of the great things about Strictly Come Dancing has been the previous credibility of the judging panel.
‘Alesha has zero critical ability as a dance judge. Lets get a petition going.’
And Debbie in Middlesbrough wrote: ‘Alesha had no dancing experience to properly critique the performances. All she could say was ‘use your acting skills’ ‘lower your shoulders’ but usually, ‘I thought you were really good.’
‘Unless she improves, then I fear it was a big mistake firing Arlene.’
But the BBC is backing Alesha.
In a hasty statement the channel said: ‘We’re pleased at how fantastically well Alesha was received for her debut on Strictly Come Dancing and delighted that so many people tuned in and enjoyed the show.’
Martina Hingis
On last night’s show former tennis player Martina Hingis and partner Matthew Cutler were the first couple to be voted off.
Hingis was praised by the judges for making ‘beautiful shapes,’ but criticised for flat-footed transitions between the steps.
She achieved a respectable score of 46 – which meant she came above Lynda Bellingham, Rav Wilding and Joe Calzaghe on the leaderboard.
Flexible: Jade Johnson and Ian Waite end their sizzling routine with the splits
But she came in the bottom two following the public vote, pitting her against Rav in the dance-off.
Although judges Craig and Alisha voted to keep Martina on, Bruno voted for Rav and head judge Len, who had the casting vote, agreed.
The 27-year-old Swiss star said she was sad to go in the first week but had enjoyed the ‘great experience’.
Last night also saw Strictly go up against X factor in the ratings war.
Previously the two shows have been scheduled at different times, allowing fans to watch both.
But BBC bosses ditched the Sunday results show and extended the Saturday night show during their revamp, causing a clash.
Friday night’s Strictly was watched by 9.1million – its second highest launch night ratings since 2004.