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!

husky that's cool!

I like that!

I'm not a fan of Kevin, but Susan is worth a hundred of James.

I like the Rev and Susan and the wee cheeky chap from Holby whose name I missed. He's cute.

Just watching now was impressed Ore was still so fast with the footwork

I think the Holly man looked very good. Simon Rimmer looked like he could dance too. Alexandra and Gorka will be amazing. I would love Debbie to win. They don't often pair an older woman with one of the hot young men so maybe the smart money should be on her.

I enjoyed the tribute to Brucie.

Might have had a bit of an Ore moment myself.

Not heard yet @sass Was the launch show worth waiting for lovely? I got more pairings right this year than I usually do but that's really not saying much.
I was surprised at how well Chizzy, Ruth and Brian came across. Less keen on Simon and Mollie.
If I were betting I'd take a punt on Jonnie.
Based on the group dance Charlotte and Simon will go early.
I would piss myself if Kevin got to the finals again.
Worst pairing for me: Mollie and AJ.

Can someone explain to me who the ginger pro is? He's like an unofficial pro he's been around for years but not one of the official dancers?

Ginger one was new pro last year Neil Jones. married to Katya, might have helped her with her choreo and does some group choreo, does group dancing, respected in the field.

Neil Jones.
Katya's husband and one of the main chereographers on the show.
He is also officially one of the male pros on the show but hasn't had a partner yet. Apparently he's also chereographing DWTS too so can't commit to having a partner in British version.

Gorgeous has it, he is married to Katya who was dancing with Ed Balls last year.

Thanks ladies

Just been scrolling back through tonight's thread and re the other female pro to leave, can't remember her name but wasn't it a blonde Russian (?) who danced with Judge Rinder? She only lasted a year

He was introduced as an official pro last year but iirc did neither Xmas nor filling in for illness. Maybe he prefers to be in the troupe/on the choreo side of things. Presume he would take over if a male pro retires.
not sure based on treatment of Chloe (introduced as pro last year, Oksana et al left, they took on 3 rather than 2 new female pros).

It's bugged me for years
Give him a partner please strictly it's sad watching him popping up now and then

Mollie looks like she could be this years pixie Lott to me

I thought Oksana was good.

@AnyonebutAndre sorry, don't know your new username but well done on predicting Susan and Kevin last year! Mystic Meg mega awesomeness!

Overall I did enjoy the launch Gorge and it has whetted my appetite for the main show. Drank wine and DD and I shared a big bag of popcorn. Love our Strictly Saturdays . Fingers crossed we get our emoji for the 23rd!

New-Ish to strictly. Mum is a big fan but I've never watched a full series properly. But dd now works on a sat night so thought I'd give it a go.

Love Susan calman very funny lady know most of the celebs - maybe it's an age/what you watch thing. Only thing I don't watch is GMB (piers no thanks)

So apologies if I tread on super fan toes in advance.

AJ (?) looks about 12!!!!

Hi all! Finally caught up and pretty happy with the pairs, though I'm going have to reconcile myself to the lovely Susan with KFG 🤔

Welcome aboard @Graphista, all Strictly fans welcome - new and, er, not-so-new

AJ is adorable but tbf it must be hard to pair him up with anyone - when you think of the more "sexy" Latin dances, pair him with anyone older and it starts looking all kinds of wrong. He's not just young - he looks like child.

How old is AJ?

Just placemarking as I watch on catch up. Soooo excited!!