Do you mind if I join the thread? I'm relatively new to Strictly but have watched for the past three or four years. I don't know a lot about dance technique so I'd recognize if the performers were out of sync with each other, but I'd be oblivious to the intricacies of the steps and the posture requirements for waltzes etc. Mainly I watch it for the entertainment factor and the fab. costumes. I watch it with my teenage DD although she's with her Dad every second weekend.
My favorite judge is Craig. The other judges tend to start off with the positive comments and slip in a negative comment at the end, whereas Craig does it the other way around. He gets the negative comments out of the way first and usually finishes off with a positive. Except the audience are generally booing after the negative comments so they miss the positive ones. Also, I think he's more authentic - he's less inclined to go along with the fake tears and mawkishness aspects of the show.
I respect Shirley's position as head judge and her comments are often quite technical. Unfortunately, I don't understand a lot of them. It's a shame they don't show replays while she's talking, to illustrate her points. You know the way they show replays in football. And sometimes she makes a really nasty comment that seems to come out of nowhere.
Motsi is obviously a very talented dancer but I don't rate her as a judge. There's too much, "You go girl", and not enough substance for my liking.
I quite like Anton (controversial).
I really enjoy movies night (also controversial).
Aljaz is my favourite professional dancer because he comes across as a nice, friendly guy and he's easy on the eye. Oti is an incredible dancer and choreographer. I quite like Giovanni too.
I live in Ireland so I can't vote 
. I guess the producers are afraid that if there's an Irish participant, then we'll get behind them as a nation and vote for them en masse, so they'll have an unfair advantage. But I'd never have voted for Daniel O'Donnell!
I only ever recognize one or two 'celebrities' at the start of the series. I'm not a soaps fan and I'm far too old for the boy bands/social media influencers. But that's part of the fun for me - getting to know the different personalities and watching them as they progress through the dances. Feeling happy for them when they have a good week and disappointed for them when they have a bad week and end up in the dance off. The only celebs I know this year are Tilly Ramsey (DD has watched some of her cookery programmes) and Greg Wise - his name didn't ring any bells but when they did the intros., I realized he played Mountbatten in 'The Crown'. I'm really impressed with the deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis. To participate in Strictly would be daunting in itself, but to do so when you're deaf must be a huge challenge. I wish her well.
Looking forward to your company as we watch the new series.