Strictly Starts Tonight

What about Hamza's astonishing hair? I'd be tripping over it if that were me.

I liked Hanza and Jade.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Will was definitely the standout dancer. I liked Ellie as well, and Hamza.

I’m a Jayde fan and I liked her pairing with Karen and although she’s not a brilliant dancer, she was very enthusiastic.

I’m so glad the Blackpool week will be back. ???

I watched it, i find it really uplifting given the positiveness of the 'celebs' capabilities to dance. The costumes are fabulous.

I had to question what on earth had Kim Marsh done to her face which monopolised her dancing which I should have been concentrating on.

Very enjoyable indeed. How much plastic surgery has Matt Goss had though! Wow.

I think there's a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks.
A few obvious leavers first, then things will get really interesting.

I really enjoyed it much to my surprise…

Yes, great fun to watch

Some brilliant dancers this year. Will was my favourite tonight.

Shinamae

I really enjoyed it much to my surprise…

That's great! Maybe you'll become a fan?

I loved the dancing. I thought the judging was inconsistent though. The second half dancers seemed generally better than the first half and had better music in my opinion. Will Mellor was a delight. Tony Adams less so. Lots of good dancing. I look forward to the series.

I agree regarding the judging Grandmabatty, I wondered if they were trying to bolster all the celebrities’ confidence - Craig seemed to give a high mark to the ones that the others scored lower?
I think it’s going to be a good series, there were a lot of promising dancers.

Strictly is back, my Saturday nights are complete.

Loved it ?

Great show last night. Really liking the new professionals, particularly Carlos.

Good to see a full audience there too.

Had it on record so I could skip the flummery and just watch the dancing. I’m impressed that Ellie is there, and enjoyed their dance but am concerned about her partner’s back. I get the impression that Craig would like to be out there dancing; not to be judged, but just to dance. It’s like watching a different person with all those twirls, smiles and waving arms.

I used to like strictly but the same sex couples just ruin it for me now.
Ballroom dancing is man & woman.
Every year it’s getting worse for box ticking.
But it appears I’m the only one who thinks this way.
I’m glad everyone else still loves it.

I thought the judging was inconsistent though.

I agree Grandmabatty. Perhaps the judges were trying to boost the confidence and quell the nerves of the ones who had struggled.

Looking forward to being able to vote.

We don't normally watch until the last few weeks but there was nothing else on TV. We did miss the beginning.
However, we'd never heard of most of the contestants!

Will Mellor was a delight. Tony Adams less so

I thought Tony was funny and obviously didn't take himself too seriously, just as well.

Will Mellor - you're my favourite (as Bruce used to say).

I thought giving a 9 on week 1 was ridiculous. Can we expect a 10 on week 2? The judges should not have been applauding those they liked to watch- they are supposedly impartial.

I have no idea who Jayde is- is she gay? I thought her costume was horrendous.

I agree with others re Nikita and his back. Surely Ellie could have been partnered with somebody shorter for that reason. He is one of the tallest blokes on the show.

I felt sorry for Tony Adams. He looked quite embarrassed. I don't think he will last very long. Otherwise, it's impossible to tell who will succeed and who will fall at the first hurdle. A dancer who looks good in a foxtrot might find a samba beyond them. And vice versa.
According to the notes on the Strictly home page, Jayde is heterosexual but asked to be partnered by a woman - Karen drew the short straw there, I fear!

So rude!

Just so rude!!

Oh Volver I’m not a dancer or gay or anything but b……well said!

dogsmother

Oh Volver I’m not a dancer or gay or anything but b……well said!

Thanks dogsmother

I'm not clear why Jayde is subject to such an unpleasant comment.

Because she's not a size 10 model?
Because she wanted to stretch the boundaries of what is seen as acceptable?
Because she's not the best dancer in the cast?

I probably shouldn't ask.

Kandinsky

I used to like strictly but the same sex couples just ruin it for me now.
Ballroom dancing is man & woman.
Every year it’s getting worse for box ticking.
But it appears I’m the only one who thinks this way.
I’m glad everyone else still loves it.

You are not the only one who thinks this way, far from it I believe.Will everybody be honest in saying what they really feel? Probably not, for fear of being thought not politically correct.
It is nothing to do with prejudice it is the way that a man and a woman complement each other upon the dance floor, the way they look, move and so on.
I used to very much enjoy the programme, but with the way it has changed and the ever present fake joy as others have noticed I like it less and less.

Why does "Strictly Ballroom" keep popping into my head?

Where the man goes, the lady must follow...