Aston Merrygold of boy band JLS will replace Adam Garcia as a judge on Got to Dance, The Sun newspaper confirmed today.
Adam Garcia is to leave to star in a stage adaptation of Kiss Me Kate.
Aston told sources (as quoted in The Sun): “My experience on talent shows will help me to understand what the contestants are going through. I can’t wait.”
Aston Merrygold’s choice as judge has been questioned by fans of Got to Dance and JLS alike who believe(d) JLS would be on tour during the recording stages of the show.
Others believe that Aston doesn’t have the same degree of experience in dance to be a suitable judge, including followers of All Street Dance on Twitter:
@allstreetdance discussing judges on reality tv shows, I think it should be an experienced professional that’s knows the whole industry
@brownie72 get judges that hire dancers in real life not ones are looking for a job in between shows — Mark Summers (@marksummerscast) August 3, 2012
GotToDance producers must know that fans are going to audition with the chance of seeing aston — Bimbo 😉 (@KatrinaPJ_NFG) August 11, 2012
Ashton merrygold replaces Adam on got to dance??? Huh??? He doesn’t have a dance background does he?? — Shauna Golden (@Shauna_Golden_) August 11, 2012
Additional Twitter reactions are embedded at the bottom of this story
The new Got to Dance judging panel will now be: Aston Merrygold of JLS, Kimberly Wyatt, dancer and formerly of The Pussycat Dolls, and Ashley Banjo, choreographer of Diversity.
Why has Adam Garcia left Got to Dance?
Adam Garcia is to leave to star in a stage adaptation of Kiss Me Kate at the Old Vic theatre in London.
Described as an “exuberant show-within-a-show” it “throws together gun-toting gangsters, sparring actors and romantic entanglements against a backdrop of a touring musical production of The Taming of the Shrew.
Adam Garcia’s run of Kiss Me Kate includes music and lyrics by Cole Porter choreography by Stephen Mear whose work includes shows such as Crazy For You, Betty Blue Eyes, Hello Dolly and Mary Poppins.
Twitter reactions from our followers can be found below – please give them a moment to load! Requires Javascript to be enabled, may not work on mobile phones – still can’t see them? View them on Storify here!
Reactions to Aston Merrygold joining Got to Dance Judge Panel – replacing Adam Garcia
How our Twitter followers reacted to the news of Aston Merrygold replacing Adam Garcia on Got to Dance 2013 (series 4)If viewing these tweets outside of our website the full story can be found here
What our followers tweet about Adam Garcia leaving
@allstreetdance adam garcia has left:(? He’s far better that aston merrygold.shannen.
So so so annoyed that Adam has gone and Aston has taken his place, no-one can replace Garcia. @allstreetdanceAbbie†Mitchell
@allstreetdance I loved Adam as it bought expert tap into the competition. For me some singer (No mater how hot) just wont fit the billSophie
I like Aston, but Garcia gone? Noooo RT @allstreetdance CONFIRMED: Aston Merrygold replaces Adam Garcia on Got to Dance http://bit.ly/MKbdBHHelen Wright
@allstreetdance its a shame adam is leaving as the judges friendship provides something special to the show!Aston has some big shoes to fillMichelle
@allstreetdance what makes GTD so good is that the judges are all exceptional dancers themselves and from different genres, huge shame!Georgie Ketteman
@allstreetdance I think it is a massive shame for the tap dancers who enter the competiton for the oppurtunity to be seen by @ThatAdamGarciagillian redford
What our followers tweeted on Aston being the new Got to Dance judge
There are loads of better people in dance for the job that Adam garcia had..sorry Aston is not made for that job..@allstreetdance #endoffNic Charles
@allstreetdance I was thinkin of doin it with crew, I saw this news, glad I didn’t bother! The best judging team seen so far is on CBBC!Lucie Talbott
@allstreetdance having got all the way to semi-finals on series 3,I can’t see Aston giving the same constructive criticism that Adam could..Michelle Taylor
@allstreetdance Not unless they’re a dancer too! Why not choose a chef or fashion designer instead?!Gemma Quinnell
@allstreetdance I don’t think so, people who don’t dance and don’t know dance wouldn’t be as critical and might think everyones fabEverything DV!
@allstreetdance Just No. Why not have top UK BBoy Mouse? Or one of @Soul_Mavericks? Credible + mind-blowingly talented.Hannah Knowles
@allstreetdance am not happy that he is going to be the new judge he hasn’t got any of the dance experience Adam has he won’t know what (c)JessicaKuiperLevitt
@allstreetdance (c) what to look for bring back Adam!JessicaKuiperLevitt
Instant reactions from our followers
So Aston Merrygold of JLS HAS been confirmed as a Got to Dance – Sky1 judge, it'… http://goo.gl/fb/UMjaA – BACK TO BED I GO THEN!I am Spiderman
@allstreetdance Seriously do GTD really think that the new judge is a asset !! WHY when they have so many uk dance icons to choose fromJulie Howell
Well, this sucks. RT @allstreetdance CONFIRMED: Aston Merrygold replaces Adam Garcia on Got to Dance http://bit.ly/MKbdBH” @ThatAdamGarcia:) dubdubble
@allstreetdance IS THAT A JOKE?Abbie†Mitchell
Aston is a judge for GTD –____– WACK AS F*CK!!!! He aint NO dancer!! SO many more people they could choose! I’m fumin!! @allstreetdanceJordan
I can’t even with him thinking that stupid back tuck and flip he does is amazing! Urgh hot ass mess!! @allstreetdanceJordan
@allstreetdance not happy:(Breeze C
@allstreetdance whatttttttttt :OLaurynstephenson
“@allstreetdance: So Aston Merrygold of JLS HAS been confirmed as a Got to Dance – Sky1 judge, it'… http://goo.gl/fb/UMjaA” 😮 wtfff!!lealea
“@allstreetdance: So Aston Merrygold of JLS HAS been confirmed as a Got to Dance – Sky1 judge, it'… http://goo.gl/fb/UMjaA” omf. omgonedirection
Aston Merrygold of boy band JLS will replace Adam Garcia as a judge on Got to Dance, The Sun newspaper confirmed today.
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