Strictly Come Dancing 2016 - Glitterballs ready?

[SheHasAWildHeart]

First 'celebrity' confirmed:
Ed Balls

emotions I just rushed onto to MN to express my very very strong desire that Claudia doesn't end up with KFG! I love her and find him so irritating I'd be in ecstasies of confusion

I wish Vincent were still around to go with her. Hopefully one of the newbie pros is a short arse

Isn't Joe Varney pretty small? Maybe he'll get Claudia F

Hurrah, my predictions were true!

4 feet 6! My 10 year old is taller than that! She's going to make Janette look like a giant next to her. Hope she's comfortable in heels..... She will definitely get the shortest male pro.

I think she'll be fab though, Louis Smith was great and there is such a strong rhythm component to gymnastics anyway. With pro sports people the dancers can push them hard from the start as they're used to the long training hours, unlike us normal people who would pass out if we had to dance for 4 hours solid.

I forgot about Joe Varney, good call MsI

There are 17 pro dancers, but they'll only be 15 celebs. So I wonder which two will get the "Joanne Clifton" be on the sidelines role.

Husband said judge rinder?? He is out so can't ask where he heard this . ... But please be true!

Kevin needs to get someone shit this year.

possible spoiler warning re sitting out roles

Sorry, know some want to wait for main show. plus am still waiting for Lesley frigging Joseph to be announced (her twitter she was v excited) so what do I know?

allegedly though, and I am surprised but the source works there apparently, Neil and Chloe are sitting out
am only bemused because I thought it would be a couple, ie Neil and his wife OR Chloe and AJ. If that is correct, then AJ would get the gymnast being the closest in age.

Although Usain Bolt would be awesome!!

I would love to see that! :o

Usain Bolt and Natalie. I can but dream

Kimmy I read on monkseal's Twitter that the Lesley Joseph Twitter account is fake so the tweets might not be accurate. Obvs someone has too much time on their hands to set up a fake LJ Twitter account.

If it is Neil that is sitting out I wouldn't be impressed if I was him. He's worked as choreographer on the show for a while and taken part in the pro dances. Finally gets announced as a pro dancer and then has to sit it out.

Brendan in this photo! mobile.twitter.com/Mrs_katjones/status/764146696423178240/photo/2

mobile.twitter.com/thelesleyjoseph

really? blimey! just...why?

Oh Claudia looks lovely - I hope because she is tiny and young they don't shove her into all the 'little girl' gingham dirndl outfits. Who is the shortest Male pro - is it Kevin ? (although he's due a duffer and I'm sure she won't be a duffer)

I wonder if Claudia might get the new young pro, AJ. I don't know how tall he is but he looks smallish in the photos.

AJ is 21. No idea how tall he is but based on age I think he might be paired with Claudia.

All I want to know is...who will dance with Anton?

I'm hoping that the reason they have more pros than celebs this year is that they are planning an 'accident' to take out some of the more annoying pros. All I'm saying is that Anton should be extra careful to look both ways when crossing the road, and maybe run a geiger counter over his sushi before eating it.

Judge Rinder just been confirmed!

Delighted that Robert Rinder is doing it - he is very acid tongued and will give Craig a run for his money!

I heard an interview with Craig a few weeks ago and he said he wanted Rinder to be on, apparently they're friends.

Robert Rinder is my favorite reveal already! I am hoping that he will be witty & charming (& just a bit hopeless at dancing.)

I heard him interviewed a couple of weeks ago and they asked him about the SCD rumors his replies were evasive and coy so I was hoping he may be in the line up.

I think Claudia will be a star, she will have so much stamina and drive from her gymnastics.

I think Robert Rinder will be great - and might be surprisingly good - he looks quite fit and nimble - but won't take himself too seriously. I wonder who he will be partnered with.