Former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips has claimed that Strictly Come Dancing bosses should have consulted fans before they revamped the show. Fiona took part in the ballroom dance contest in 2005.
She spoke out following the news that professional dancers Darren Bennett, Lilia Kopylova, Ian Waite and Matthew Cutler will not partner celebrities on the next series.
Instead they will make up a dance group who will perform regularly on Strictly Come Dancing.
Writing in her Daily Mirror column, Phillips said: "At times, TV bosses are like politicians - they have no idea what real people want.
"Take Strictly Come Dancing. Last year they tinkered with the judges - axing favourite Arlene Phillips for having the temerity to be over 40 - and they lost ratings.
"This year they're relegating show favourites Ian Waite, Matthew Cutler, Lilia Kopylova and Darren to a dance group instead of dancing with the celebrities, a decision which has already got thousands of twitterers tweeting in anger."
She added: "Why doesn't the BBC do a David Cameron and ask the licence fee-paying public what they actually want?
"As Simon Cowell worked out for himself long ago, the audience generally knows best."
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