Strictly Come Dancing 2014

[FrankelandFilly]

Two celebs confirmed so far for the 2014 series:

Frankie from The Saturdays
Judy Murray (Andy's mum)

Not sure if they are deliberately only releasing one name at a time, but it can't be long before the big reveal.

So polish off your Cuban heels and slip into something tight and sparkly, it's almost here!

Leaping, that's so fucking depressing isn't it?

So disappointed with the quality of the new professionals. It's getting difficult to tell who is the pro and who is the celeb. They've been picked for their looks and youth, rather than dance ability. Not many previous champs in the mix. Makes Kristina look better than ever.

What do you think of Ola, 1boringmum? I know sod-all about dancing, and this is my first time watching SCD, but she seems very no-nonsense and focussed on the teaching, which I like.

Completely agree. Ola has a good track record. I know it's an entertainment programme but the standard of the professionals drops year on year (jazz dancers etc). Feel a bit cheated, not warming to the new ones at all. Compared to a few years ago when we had Martin and Nicole Cutler and Darren and Lilya.

Iveta is a proper ballroom/Latin dancer and so's Joanne.

Janette and Aliona not so much.

The last seasons' new boy Kevin ?

Kevin was a Junior Latin champion (he and Joanne danced together for several years), but on moving up to adult level he didn't make the grade so switched to West End work.

Here's who looks to my totally untrained eye like a 'proper dancer':

Brendan
Pasha
Anton (in ballroom anyway; not so sure about his Latin)
Aljaz

Karen
Kristina
Natalie
Ola
Iveta

Too soon to tell about Trent (although he didn't look great to me) and Tristan but I don't care cos I quite fancy him.

Maybe some of the pros specialise in Latin rather than BR and vice versa, I'm more ballet myself so not an expert on BR. I suppose they should be all rounders though because they have to teach and dance everything .

This week's dances:

Alison and Aljaz will be performing the Foxtrot to ‘I Just Wanna Make Love To You’ by Etta James.

Caroline and Pasha will be performing the Tango to ‘Blame’ by Calvin Harris and John Newman.

Frankie and Kevin will be performing the Charleston to the Happy Days theme.

Gregg and Aliona will be performing the Charleston to ‘Hey Good Looking’ by Ray Charles.

Jake and Janette will be performing the Salsa to ‘Mambo No 5’ by Lou Bega.

Jennifer and Tristan will be performing the Waltz to ‘Natural Woman’ by Aretha Franklin.

Judy and Anton will be perfoming the Cha Cha to ‘She's a Lady’ by Tom Jones.

Mark and Karen will be performing the American Smooth to ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz!

Pixie and Trent will be performing the Waltz to ‘Come Away With Me’ by Norah Jones.

Scott and Joanne will be performing the Tango to ‘Stop!’ by the Spice Girls.

Simon and Kristina will be performing the Tango to ‘Sing’ by Ed Sheeran.

Steve and Ola will be performing the Cha Cha to ‘Treasure’ by Bruno Mars.

Sunetra and Brendan will be performing the Cha Cha to “Million Dollar Bill” by Whitney Houston.

Thom and Iveta will be performing the Salsa to ‘Hot Hot Hot’ by Arrow.

Tim and Natalie will performing the Waltz to ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’.

Annoyed that they've brought Salsa and Charleston in so early on

I was going to say something similar Frankel.

I prefer being able to compare the dancers more directly in the early weeks, then see the better dancers really make the most of the mire difficult ones later in in the series.

And how in heavens name is it possible to tango to 'stop' by the Spice Girls???

Yes how? Thursday What's wrong with an actual tango song like 'Tangoed' by Caro Emerald?

Better still, some traditional Tango music without lyrics!

I hate that 'Stop' song at the best of times fgs. It's total shite

That's one of my bugbears. If I were a celeb, I'd demand proper Latin music for Latin (Shakira, Gloria Estefan) and proper tango music too. Would stamp my feet till I got it! [Grin]

So would I amigababy SO WOULD I

Also If I was the producer I'd change the leader of the orchestra!

Love the costume designer on IT2 though . Is Caroline anyone we should know?

I'm loving whichever costume designer decided on a vest for Steve B. It's a crime to cover those arms up.

Five minutes.

Claudia gets the thumbs up from me this evening.

Seriously are the judges going to dance on every week?

Why are they soundtracking this with a cha?

Hi all. Got tickets for the tour. Very worried who might be on it. If it's Scott/Greg/antiques man I may be selling my ticket.

Little mishaps like almost killing your partner?