Strictly 2017 Celebs are being announced...

[CaveMum]

First one confirmed is Mollie King (the blonde one from The Saturday's)

Not sure when the next one will be announced, just hope it's not like last year where they dragged it out for weeks!

Gaz!!! Hadn't realised you were on this thread, lovely. Oh, I'm not just music-mad, I'm Strictly-mad too. Sadly, don't have access to DWTS, but can't wait for Strictly 2017 to start. Oooh...exciting! Bring it on!

Is Len being replaced? Not sure if I missed any news about that.

I watch DWTS via live streaming on YouTube or just catch the individual dances on there. I used to discuss it on digital spy but they booted it off the Strictly forum (purity of dance no doubt!) I do like the host Tom though, he is just lovely. I also think Shirley Ballas should be good, based on her commentary on AfterBuzz.
Strictly essentially gets me through the Winter. DH puts up with it, he would only watch it avidly if they ever signed up Nadine Coyle. I seem to recall him taking an interest when Rachel Stevens was on.
I'll shut up now rather than monopolising the thread, I'm a complete nerd.

Len is being replaced with Shirley Ballas whall

She was married to Corky (who subsequently ended up with Kristina R for a while!) and is Mark Ballas's mum (a former Strictly pro, he's very good). She also helped train the Houghs.
But she is also a professional dancer in her own right. I like her. She has always been quite cynical about the "journey" producers in the States promote, (especially in the vts) and she doesn't sugarcoat. I hope they let her be her.

Gemma Atkinson, don't know who she is though.

Gemma Atkinson was in Hollyoaks then went off to do some glamour modelling IIRC.

Gemma Atkinson was in Hollyoaks then went off to do some glamour modelling IIRC.

She's been in Emmerdale for the last two years.

Bless. He knows his place then.

Fuck that. It's ridiculous how he always gets stuck with the older ones that can't dance.

I like how DWTS always seems to include a competitor with a disability. They haven't done that on SCD. There was talk of Ellie Simmons joining this year, and I hope that's true.

DWTS is truely appalling. It used to be identical to Strictly in all but name, but how it's gharish and tacky with very little ballroom and Latin. I can't understand why anyone would choose to watch it other than to perve at Gleb obviously.

Strictly gets me through the winter too - we all watch it my husband has given up pretending he just 'happens to be in the room', although he does miss Ola. I never know half the slebs before because I don't watch any soaps, but doesn't really matter. I just love it all, costumes, music, dance.
Getting excited already

Looking forward to it. . when does it start ?

Ah, Strictly time rolls around again. I do not know any of the people so far, but no one should be surprised by that.

I am going to miss Natalie. At least Oti is still there.

i still can't understand how Oti didn't win last year.

Yaaaay thanks CaveMum And Gorka is still in it!!! You can keep bighead Gleb, Gorka is 100% more sexy .

Yes Oti was brilliant cowgirls

I have heard that:
Anna Friel
Jodie Marsh
Michael Burke
Victoria Coren
&
Diane James
are all taking part.

Cannot see Jodie Marsh and Diane James in it personally, but it's just rumors.

Mmm Interesting Neutrogena ,not sure about Vic. Coren; she gives me the impression of being a bit of a snob for SCD.

Where is the Z-list published that these people all come from?

wobbly - the first show with all the introductions/pairings is usually early Sept. Then it starts properly 2-3 weeks later and takes us right up to Christmas. Ooh...can't wait!

Oh great. Anna Friel would be good. Off to google for the others.

What Tony Beak is the UK equivalent of Tony Dovolani and he understands that/takes the piss out of himself now. Fwiw I do agree with you, it was fantastic seeing him jive with Katie and proving his detractors wrong. That said, I think the flak he gets for not upping his Latin after a decade on the show is fair enough when you think how far Brendan has come with his ballroom.
It would be really interesting to stick him with a ringah or young 'un but why would he want the inevitable slating if they don't reach their potential? Height difference is > important to me than youth. Lesley was very good but stretching up to Anton was awkward and unfair on both.
Patsy, Laila, Fiona, Katie, Lesley....were all more than okay in my book. Jerry could have been good but wanted to bunk off all the time allegedly. I usually root for Anton and Brendan but their place in the show now, rightly or wrongly is >elder statesman than pyts.
It would be good to see both with an unexpected partner (has Brendan ever had a pre-show "duffer"? rather than someone who turned out to be one?). But on the whole, the pairings are usually fine for me. (Kevin I want to see with a duffer to prove his detractors wrong). Last year I do think Gio with Anastacia and Brendan with Laura would have been better, I still think they switched last minute.

runny Tom Bergeron. Always Tom Bergeron.

I don't think Victoria Coren is a snob, it would be interesting to see how much someone so intellectual can "let herself go"

It would be great if David Mitchell did it as well.

They would be very funny in the after show chat.

I believe VC and Claudia Winkleman are friends.

@Andrewofgg

Heard some women on a train talking about it

I really hope Brian Conley joins up, he is brilliant. Saw him in Barnum and he was fantastic. He's done other stage musicals (Chitty I think) so can "dance" to an extent or perform is probably the better word.

Next celeb is being announced this morning on radio 2 breakfast show. Chris Evans says it's someone who regularly contributes to the show. I'm wondering if it'll be Rev Richard Coles or Rev Kate Bottley. I may be completely wrong though!