Strictly 2017 - Nearly Show-Time!

[CaveMum]

The couples have been announced and rehearsals have started. So strap on your dancing shoes, it's time for Strictly 2017 💃🏻🕺🏼

- this one too!

Phew, I'm all caught up.

I don't think Charlotte is going to be too bad. I do think that Simon is going to struggle a bit but not as much as Rev Rich also Susan I think is going to struggle but she seems très popular so hopefully won't go too soon. I expect that Chizzy, Brian or Simon will be first to go but I've probably forgotten some of the celebs exist.

I don't have Alexandra down as a ringer at all.

Thank you CaveMum. It's a shame we have to wait!

Wow thank you MrsJamin That's above and beyond the call of duty!

Did you notice the song that SusKev are dancing to? A song written by gay man Noel Coward which is sung by a woman but is actually meant to be about Noel Coward's infatuation with James Cagney!

No childhood dance experience but I took up jazz, tap and ballet at the grand old age of 31. Loved it, but stopped when DC came along but I have dabbled in ballroom.

Famous last words, but I think Simon Rimmer will do well. His posture is good and he appears to have some natural grace.

Can't wait for this season to get going. My money's on Oti and Johnny.

I just copied and pasted from the Strictly page, @ppeatfruit! Some interesting choices in songs - there's some obvious reasons behind some (mad about the boy, there must be an angel, mad about the boy). I thought they used to just give out easy dances to begin with - not stuff like the tango and paso doble? They leave argentine tango and charleston to later on, though.

You see I'm a real technophobe mrsjamin you might as well have told me you'd sent it up to a satellite which beamed it down to my laptop . I love the waltzes actually. done properly they ain't easy but as you say easier for beginners. Dizzy making though!

Yes I agree about Simon Rimmer, he's a pleasant chap too. twilight

You're not wrong about waltzes, ppeatfruit.

My teacher was a senior Latin champion - and he made us work! Our calves would be so sore after one of his waltz classes.

Yes it's the "step up onto your tiptoes" Must be hairy when you're in high heels Ouch!!

Rev Richard has tweeted that his first dance is a Cha Cha to 'There must be an Angel's (playing with my heart)

He is now adding #thebeautyandthepriest to his tweets!!

Harry Judd and Caroline Flack both had Cha Cha's first time out IIRC. "Moves Like Jagger" and "Can You Feel It" respectively I think

I say it every year, but I do wish they would go back to the old format of Week 1 50% do Waltz and 50% Cha Cha and Week 2 they swap. It would help public compare like with like. Plus I do think that anyone doing a fast-paced Latin dance has an advantage as they do look more "interesting" than, say, a Waltz or Foxtrot even though the latter are more technically complex.

yes Cave I was thinking the exact same thing earlier.

Ooh thank you for the songs. I'd guessed a couple of the dances from the first steps vids and they looked okay (Simon surprised me) and what I saw of Joe. roll on next week!

Great Interview with the Rev. and Diane on R4 earlier, she sounds a fun girl. They're known as Beauty and the Rev. ! Apparently

Maryz and Cavemum Yes that sounds a better way to do things, I wonder why they stopped? Maybe everyone on Twitter and FB etc. should campaign to make the producers reintroduce it. Or at least to ask why it was stopped..

DUH silly me blush 'Beauty and the priest' Of course!

Rather disturbing picture of the Rev Richard on Twitter this morning, he is dancing in his black underpants 😱😱😱

Says he forgot his gym kit !

Apologies cannot do links from this phone.

Yes he said that on the radio too!! Diane commented!

There is a programme on tonight about it. I'm listening to Zoe on R2. it's on BBC5live called All THAT GLITTERS hooray!!!

At 8pm!

Just watched it on Iplayer , I think Aston and Simon will be good , I'm also still sorting out all the blondes ! I know she's very popular, but Ruth looked very unrhythmic (?) in the group dance.

Joining in, although am strictly an armchair dancer. For some reason I seem to favour male celebs, so Jonnie and the chappie from Holby are my top two to watch.

Creme I couldn't get it I'm in Fr. It' doesn't work outside the UK . What went on?

Ppeat if you use google chrome on your computer then it's not too tricky to make iplayer work from France. Let me know for you'd like some tips. (I used to live over there too and now sometimes spend time in Italy for work)