Strictly 2024

I think in recent years he’s been presenting Down On The Farm on CBeebies.

Casdon

I guess people would have wondered why he was there if he said he was a turkey farmer - which is an interesting choice of second career!

He could have said pop singer!

Thank you for that info AreWeThereYet. I hadn’t heard that till now.

I wonder how the pairings are decided and if the professionals have any say in it.

Angela Rippon told the Express:

We female celebrities were put in circles and all male professional dancers were put in a circle around us and they played eight bars of a cha cha. And what happened is we all danced eight bars with whoever was in front of us. Then after eight bars, they moved on.

"So we had the next one, and then they moved on and it was just like speed dating. We all ended up playing the music so we all danced with each other three times."

"While we were doing that, we were being filmed by possibly three cameras to see how we fitted with each other with height, with body, with language, with how we got on with each other. And that was how they decide who should go with who."

I thoroughly enjoyed last night, but then I am easily pleased when it comes to Saturday night TV.

I want to vegetate with a glass of wine whilst DH cooks, I even turned over and watched The Voice after Strictly, shallow moi…

I guess people would have wondered why he was there if he said he was a turkey farmer - which is an interesting choice of second career!

I though it was much better than previous first introductions.
Going to be a lively bunch some will irritate others will amuse.
You could predict which professional was going to get which Celebrity, we called it right on about 60%.
Agree Craig looked younger, suits him.

I do know who he is - my point was that he referred to HIMSELF as a pop star. Modest or what!

kittylester JB Gill was in JLS, I think two of the others from the band have done Strictly before. The fourth member is Marvin Humes, who compères The Hit List with his wife Rochelle. They are all still active on the pop scene I believe.

I wasn’t sure whether to watch it, not because of the accusations as such, but I thought it might be a very watered down strictly, with the professionals frightened to do anything beyond gently encourage, we shall see!
But my grandson was staying, and we did watch it, and yes, despite not knowing practically anyone, I’m hooked again.
I agree that Craig looks great, ten years younger, I also agree that Toyah Wilcox is extremely annoying.
My high point was also the comment about being in the same room as a doctor, quite a lot of personality there, so hoping it will be good

I was a little disappointed that my least favourite celeb from the group has been partnered with my favourite professional. I love Karen and was sorry to see her paired with Paul Merson. I wonder how the pairings are decided and if the professionals have any say in it.

^JB Gill annoyed me by referring to himself as a pop star.

Who is he?^

My point exactly!! He might have been a pop star but it made me embarrassed for him to refer to himself that way.

Paul Merson was also embarrassing.

Hmmm - in the main it was enjoyable.
Thought that Chris was really funny!
I have an 'issue' with Nick Knowles that I can't explain, he makes my flesh crawl, that's an awful thing to say and I apologise to any Nick fans.
Paul Merson - really?!
I think that there might be some really good dancers amongst the celebs this year - we will see.

Ditto. Onto mostly 3rd rate 'celebs' that no one has heard of...lol

JB Gill was a pop star with JLS.

kittylester

JB Gill annoyed me by referring to himself as a pop star.

Who is he?

JB Gill annoyed me by referring to himself as a pop star.

This is only a personal opinion butvI think there has been a dumbing down this year. Two men Graz and Gio are not dancing, due to allegations of bullying, although Gio has denied this. Kai and Carlos Gu not having partners.
They have put Neil with Toyah, a pairing I am not sure about at the moment. I really hope I am wrong but it felt bland to me, but I will keep watching for the time being.
Agree with others about Chris very funny.

Finding Toyah rather annoying. Early days though.

Really enjoyed Strictly last night . I thought it was better than the usual opening show.
I expect I’ll get a bit fed up with it as the weeks draw on and I’ll dip in and out.

Well, that wasn't too bad. Love your comments geannynannywany! Yes, I'd even go as far as to say Craig looks quite dishy (I actually thought he looked like Rylan). He's making Anton look quite staid and old fashioned 😉
And yes, I love Chris Causland's humour and the quip about being in the room with a GP made me laugh out loud! Not sure how he's going to fare as a dancer though - but I'm certainly looking forward to my Saturdays from now on.

I chose not to watch it this year, for me its gone bit tacky. I might have a look in on week 5 or 6.

I only watched the first half hour or so, seemed to be a lot of chat.

I too, only know about three celebs, Shayne Ward, Toyah Wilcox and the Welsh Go Compare opera singer. No doubt they will soon become familiar.

Not really bothered the first couple or so weeks until they have eliminated a few.

The biggest change I would like to see is to get the results on Saturday evening,

I dipped in and out and saw a dance routine for a couple of minutes. I only recognised 3 celebs and I am not at all bothered if I see any more or not but there is not a great choice elsewhere for me. All they appeared to do was chat.

As others have said this year's should have been given a rest and start afresh next year with a new format.