Strictly Foreigners

[thesshhh]

Strictly Come Dancing have appointed 3 new professional dancers, and they’re all foreign. Shouldn’t the BBCs flagship programme be recruiting domestic dancers, of which there are plenty of good ones?

[hc4361]

Maybe domestic dancers turned them down, who knows. They've kept Kevin from Grimsby and Anton.

[kvalidir]

Why do borders matter with art forms? -If you've never enjoyed a Caravaggio or listened to Liszt I think you have some wiggle room with this otherwise it's a bit self defeating.

[anotheoldgit]

All part of the BBC's diversity programme I'm afraid.

[hc4361]

Why are you afraid, AOG?

[DarceyK123]

I agree, there must be 100s if not 1000s of British dancers who would willing and able to do the part.

It always astounds me why TV / Film people do this.

One example springs to mind, bringing in American, slim Renee Zelwenger to play an English, overweight girl for Bridget Jones. So she had to put on weight and an English accent.

There must have been 1000s of English, overweight actresses who could have fill the part.

[Mamyalynne]

Without being in on the audition procedure or knowing whether 100s of British dancers who applied with the same skills and credentials as those chosen were turned down , it's almost impossible to comment.

Hope the new series is a good one.

[mallyh]

looking at the photos of the new ones I think eye candy was the reason for the choice .

[JeniPeni]

Maybe there were no 'British' dancers that were deemed good enough. I always think the best person should get the job - not their background or gender.

[gingejbee]

I'm all for diversity....so I don't care where actors/singers/dancers come from. As long as they do a decent job, it's fine by me.

[jambutty]

Won't be the same for me without Brendan this year. May not watch.

[maggiebee]

Bet you'll still watch jambutty!

[Zacs-Master]

What nationalities were they replacing? Pretty sure 90% of SCD dancers are from abroad anyway.

[jambutty]

lol maybe Maggie, but I will miss watching Brendan, especially his jive.

[hc4361]

They've added an extra two pro dancers and replaced Brendan. There will be six British pro dancers this year

[Zacs-Master]

Brendan the Aussie?

[hc4361]

That's the chap. I thought he was showing signs of being bored of the show over the last two series.
Wish Anton would go.

[hc4361]

There are British pro dancers and judges on the US version, and an Irish pro dancer. Plenty of Russian, South American and Eastern European dancers, too.

[gingejbee]

I often see Brendan shopping in my local Waitrose....sometimes with two youngsters.

[Zacs-Master]

I’m not bothered what nationality they have. Especially if they have Orla Jordan’s physique.

[jambutty]

Do you ginge? I'm jealous!