But it can never be a level playing field (and we say this every single year....)
Many actors and actresses will have had some stage school training, including dance.
The actors will be good at telling the story of the dance.
The sportspeople have great levels of fitness and stamina.
The models look good in lycra.
And there's always someone who the public love, even if they can't dance, and who stays in the contest much longer than if the dancers were voted off based solely on ability.
But that's the way the programme is. It relies on public voting - otherwise why not just go with the jduges scores each week. The John Sargeant/Anne Widdicombe/ Dave Myers personality makes for great telly, and has people talking about the show.