To think the Strictly celebrity line up is absolutely dire this year?

[KimberleyClark]

I’ve heard of 3 out of the 15 “celebrities”. If this is the best they can come up with then the show must be on its last legs. I think the brand must have been fatally damaged by the business with Giovanni and Graziano.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/articles/2025/strictly-come-dancing-2025-celebrity-contestants-confirmed

Sorry @AmyDudley- just seen you made the same point about few female celebrities.

Dont understand why they can’t get more women this year.

My DC are pleased Ellie Goldstein is doing it, they love Malory Towers.

Where have I implied that they shouldn't be on Strictly? I mentioned that some of them stay on longer because they have a strong online presence - meaning the voting is based in popularity, not because they danced well.

I know it's always been a popularity contest hence the dance off, but case in point - Pete Wicks made it to the semi final when he was barely week 4 standard by that time.

Many of them who have been on in the past are famous for simply being on social media. That said, I am not against YouTubers or TikTokers being on Strictly. I really wanted Richard Franks who is a comedian but does them mostly via SM to be part of the line up this year, but aas no. If you don't know who he is, Google him as he has an excellent skit of Mum watching Strictly.

I know 11 of them. Some by the face, not by their name. As I said "oh its so and so from that show.'

I am surprised that no one yet has mentioned the Results show on Sunday. They make to say its live. No its not! They film the results show about half an hour after the voting lines are closed. Also, especially with some of the 'special' weeks like Halloween, some celebs and pros spend hours having their make up, hair pieces etc applied. They are not going to take the make up etc off at 9pm them come back late Sunday morning to have the same done again.

They make it appear the results show is live as the judges, Tess and Claudia change outfits.

BBC, stop pulling the wool over our eyes!

YABU for watching that crap. There is better ways to spend your time.

I’ve heard of 7-which is a lot for me. But there doesn’t seem to be a same sex couple-unless, god help me-the drag queen is taking that slot. I want someone gorgeous for Johannes to dance with….

Kristian who dropped out was also a potential same sex couple. La Voix will be partnering a male pro. Not sure about Karen.

I do think they should stop pretending the results show is filmed on Sunday. It’s ok to show it on Sunday, makes sense as they have such a family audience and is they put that out live starting at 9pm it would probably be too late for a lot of kids who watch, but they should drop the pretence.

(And replace Tess.)

I don’t know loads of them but will be watching because I love it! Can’t wait to see Ellie, Alex and Dani dance, and I will be thoroughly hooked after week 1 I’m sure 😁

Yes, pretty much same here.

Don't it make you feel good?

I know 8 of them and I don't watch TV at all anymore!

The cynic in me does also wonder if last year's series was just too perfect with Chris and Dianne that anything else will be unfavourably compared. So they've decided to do a more rubbish watered down version this time and reset with a bang next year.

It’s run its course now, not least because of the behind the scenes abuse that’s come to light. Who wants to sign up for a show where a previous contestant has been kicked and spat on by their partner?

It’s also gone through a phase of ‘X Factorisation’ in recent years, with the mawkish sob stories and elderly relatives being wheeled out for maximum blubbing. It’s become almost unwatchable.

I'm not watching this year, I think I remember the Moll Flanders actress but noone else. It's time to put this show to bed after all the issues.

It’s so formulaic! One actor from EastEnders, one YouTuber/someone from social media, one sports person, an actor, a singer, one person with a disability (this is excellent; Strictly is really good at raising awareness and at representation), blah, blah… This years crop is really bad though. Hardly celebs.

I'm doing better this year than usual, as I know 5 of them and recognise the names of some others. I think the show is perfectly secure and will continue for some time yet.

I expect I'll watch. Every year, I end up cheering for people I'd never heard of before the start of the series (and usually taking a dislike to someone, and having a grumble about how the ringers shouldn't be there while enjoying their actual dancing). I suspect that a decade or more ago, when we weren't having gender ideology shoved in our faces from all directions and being instructed to take it seriously, I wouldn't have been at all conflicted about a drag queen being one of the contestants.

I won't watch it, I don't enjoy watching men performing 'woman', it's insulting and I'm disappointed at the BBC for their lack of respect for women. Not surprised though; they're obsessed with drag queens.

I know 8 of them and it would have been 9 if him out of Game of Thrones hadn't dropped out.
There's some well known actors and sports people in there.

Oh, I didn’t know that. I was wondering how they were going to pair him up because of his height.

Nine men, six women. Why the imbalance in the sexes. Or are they counting the drag artist as female? I don’t understand it.

And stop treating us l I’m e idiots that don’t realise it’s all filmed on the same night

I’d usually say there’s no greater Strictly devotee than I. However I have seriously wondered if I can be arsed this year. I’m uncomfortable with the recent pattern of “we must have a disabled person” (and I totally get the representation argument and know IABU), hate drag with a passion and feel the gender mix is off (but I get why it might have been tricky to get more esp younger women on board).

As mentioned in a PP by moi, some pros and celebs have loads of make up, wigs and possibly prosthetic ears, devil horns during specials - Movie, Halloween etc. For example, Dev Griffin was covered head to toe with blue make up for being Aladdin's Genie.

Hate these supercilious kinds of post. There are many things I don't watch, soaps, Love Island, Mrs Browns Boys to name some. But I wouldn't dream of being so rude to people who do enjoy them.