Strictly '22 #18 — Who's going to lift the glitterball? We don't know, but it will happen in this thread!

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

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We're moving so fast I'm setting this one up to be ready!

Here's the link. Once you've applied it'll give you the option to go on the mailing list which will alert you when the live show ticket draw opens.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/strictly-launch-show-6sept23

Brilliant, thanks @EvilRingahBitch

I never knew the tickets were Maybes! I knew others were but I expected better from Strictly!

Hopefully we'll get to find out who the contestants are next month 😃

Gorka and Gemma’s baby has arrived, and rehearsals start next week.

Yeah. It was really tough given that Strictly has a lot of older female fans who might struggle with long queues outdoors with no seats or toilets

In particular it was really rough on fans from a a long way away who couldn't afford to take a punt on a long journey and two nights in a hotel if they weren't even going to be guaranteed to get in. That's the specific reason that they've given for the change.

That is great news!!! I remember queuing with my disabled MIL years ago, had to bring a little fold up stool for her to sit on. Once we were in the staff were amazing with her (we went when it was still being filmed at White City), but the queuing was difficult.

Oh that's a much better system!

Also seats are allocated at random (with couples seated together I assume) so there's no benefit whatsoever to being first in line.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd1e7j8kqllo

Sad news for Amy who has a second cancer diagnosis now so won't be appearing this year.

Oh no! Poor Amy. How unlucky she’s been. Wishing her all the best for the next bout of treatment.

Amy has been bloody unlucky. Hoping she comes through and can dance next year. She's around 5ft 9 so it's a loss for taller male slebs as the new girls iirc are 5.5/5.6. Lauren Oakley got some buzz last year, following a pros routine, so she may be completing the line-up this year?

Thats really very sad news

Oh poor Amy.

Amy’s one of my faves. Wishing her massive luck.

How sad about Amy. [Sad]

Poor Amy, she's my favourite female pro. I hope she gets well soon bless her 🙏

Just seen on Instagram that Gio has twisted his ankle so needs to rest for the next few weeks which will mean he'll be missing from a a few of the strictly professional numbers. Hope he is fully recovered soon.

Sad news about Amy and Gio.

Although a twisted ankle is hardly multiple cancer diagnoses.

Posted from my phone in a hurry. Didn't intend to compare the two.

It was clear what you meant lentil 🌻

Folk can be sad about Gio maybe not taking part if he is a favourite.

Likewise with Amy.

Their health issues are poles apart but folk will miss them both this season and will be wishing them both well.

Is there any news when the first announcement is likely to be? I'm sure it's usually the last week of July / start of August so should be very soon..

Any rumours yet?

Loads of rumours on Digital Spy gleaned from the tabloids. I hate the Sun but I can't deny that their cast rumours have been pretty reliable in the past. No-one that I'm particularly excited about yet.

There's an up to date summary post on the state of the rumours at the bottom of page 68 of this thread if you want to check it out.
https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2433247/2023-rumours-predictions-and-wishlists/p68