Strictly 2024

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.

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

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

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 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 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 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."

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

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!

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

If he is dancing who is going to look after the turkeys in the run up to Christmas 🤔

Perhaps modesty isn’t one of his traits kittylester, no doubt we’ll find out. I do think he might be able to dance though.

Millie22

If he is dancing who is going to look after the turkeys in the run up to Christmas 🤔

His wife presumably, as well as doing everything else, like all long-suffering farmers' wives!

I think the partnership with Amy and JB Gill will be a good one.
Pete Wicks I think will be good, he looks surly but I have a feeling he can dance.
Strickly is also about celebs who can't dance but show improvement. I saw this with Bill Bailey and Oti on a previous series.

Grannynannywanny

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.

Paul Merson is an absolute sweetheart, Grannynannywanny, I promise.

Paul Merson was arrested for assaulting his wife, not such a sweetheart.

I am glad the BBC continued with the programme, otherwise the unpleasant Amanda Abbington would have been able to spoil the careers of all the participants and the enjoyment of fans because she wasn't 'loved' enough.

Has the BBC said she lied ?

eazybee

I am glad the BBC continued with the programme, otherwise the unpleasant Amanda Abbington would have been able to spoil the careers of all the participants and the enjoyment of fans because she wasn't 'loved' enough.

Why is she unpleasant, she seems to be very upset by this. I can't I can't say anything about Gio but what one person can deal with others can't.
Maybe Gio training was not right for Amanda but Debbie Magee and Rose did not complain.

Perhaps Debbie Magee and Rose could move faster

She is unpleasant because she left abruptly without giving any explanation, at least to the public, some of whom would be fans. She is a professionally trained dancer so she knew dancers do not indulge in all the lovey-dovey -ness she seemed to expect; there simply isn't time. After several weeks she began releasing snippets of innuendo, then when the show was over and everyone dispersed she made allegations, which just happened to coincide with the opening of a play in which she was appearing.
It seems to have been a clash of personalities. It happens, but usually without the attempt at wrecking someone's career and taking out a popular show.

She tired to wreck someone’s career and bring an end to strictly!

Hello All. I thought that was a fantastic opening sequence of dances. Did anyone else enjoy it?
Does Claudia think she is on Taskmaster tonight - she seems to have a dress (loose description) that suits that programme which she is also on, better.

Hi everyone!

Great opening sequence. Nick Knowles was better than I thought he’d be.