General Chat

Really Belle. I hadn't seen that.

Will add her to the list.

She may be Anton's partner.

wont be as interesting for me as last Year with Joe, thought he did so well from a beginner.
I had not heard of him, but now I watch all his videos, and love the relationship between him and Dianne.

Gosh Anneka Rice a name I know - agree she may be Anton's - may watch the fist show where they get their partners - cant be that many to announce can there.

So where is Chris Evans then .

That's the full compliment now. 15 contestants.

The launch show is sometime in September.

The launch show is tonight, where they get partnered up with the professionals.

Jaimie Laing is out with a fractured foot, but will appear in this show as it is recorded. I wonder if they will have one less dancer, or whether they will look for a hasty replacement?

Well that was the first one over. All the 'celebs' have been paired up. Still not too sure who some of them are!

The audience was a bit exuberant with all the whooping and screaming me thought.

Who is Anton partnering this year we didn’t get to see it.

Ann, Anton is with Emma Barton, I don't know who she is though :-)

I think Anton was delighted to be partnering Emma Barton. I believe like most of the soap actors she went to stage school, so she may have basic dancing in her CV. She is in EastEnders, Ann.

I like the segment where the judges danced, that Shirley is a mover!

I thought I caught the tail end of this on the BBC news. But have googled it, and it seems to be true.

Kelvin Fletcher, who is in Emmerdale apparently, is replacing Jaimie Laing, as he is out with a fractured foot.

I didn't see all the pairings but it made a change to see Anton paired with someone who looks to have half a chance... although I'm not a particular fan of Anton's :-D

Thought that Katya & Kevin's partners were those that were less likely to cause headlines of the 'strictly curse' :-0 :-D

Anyone know how the pairings are decided? :-D

Just a reminder that the new series starts tonight.

No eliminations this week. But we get to see how much natural rhythm (or not) they may have.

Get comfy long haul tonight 2hrs 20 minutes :-0

:-D :-D

I'm making a flask and sandwiches Mr M. Thank goodness we don't have an outside convenience. :-D :-D

You have a commode then ? :-0 :-)

Behave! :-D :-D

Crikey, that was a marathon! I was starting to take root in my seat.

However, even though I didn't know who all of them were. The standard seems to be somewhat higher than some previous years. OK there were a few plodders, but that was always to be expected, not everyone has rhythm, and it was only week 1. But they put on a good show.

Motsi was very animated and encouraging I thought. Shirley was critical but fair, Bruno was excitable, and Craig did his Maiden Aunt act.

I enjoyed it.

It was entertaining wasn't it. I thought Kelvin had promise but it remains to be seen if he can be as good with ballroom as Latin. Some of the others were good for a first time too. I thought Craig was a little less critical and a little more encouraging than usual. It wouldn't be Bruno if he managed to keep his b** on his seat! Shirley was very fair but also gave good advice. And I think, is she stops emulating Bruno in the excitable actions Motsi will be an OK judge. Missed Darcy though.

I didn't see them all dance but of those that I did Dev Griffin & Michelle Visage surprised me :-D

Also, the replacement guy, Kelvin, but surely he must have a dancing background :-0

Anneka gets 10 for energy.....she seems to have that same energy and enthusiasm she had back in 1882 :-0. Good on her :-D

I agree, Ann, about Darcy...a hard act to follow :-(. No doubt Motsi will grow on us :-D