SCD '23 #14: We're in Blackpool! So many tailsuits <does happy dance> NO SPOILERS

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Let's not mention the corsets.

SPOILER-FREE THREAD PLEASE

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Spoiler thread.

Dan Snow is a bit nice… I hope he can dance!

He is! They'll look gorgeous together, if nothing else.

A non-spoiler, spoiler alert that matters not a damn to anyone here at all.

Here goes.

I have never watched a Christmas Strictly Come Dancing.

I'm sure they're lovely and I love the show but by the time it comes to an end in December, I am done with it. Not in a horrible negative way but I've had my fill and am ready to leave it behind and wait for next year's contest which is why I've never watched a Christmas one. Please don't pick me out of the SCD club!

I think he's just very laid back. He was complimentary about all the other contestants and I guess he realises that he is very lucky to have avoided the dance off.

Katya posted a very funny warm up video of him earlier this week, and he certainly didn't look joyless then.

The Christmas special doesn’t appeal to me because I like watching the celebs improve week on week and I like the eliminations. Im always a bit sad in mid-late December when SCD is over for another year …but the special doesn’t really cut it, it feels like a pale imitation, and I don’t bother watching.

But I understand the PP’s point about it being something that children will sit down to watch after all the chaos of Christmas Day. And I’m sure it’s fab-u-lussly festive and camp.

I used to like it better when they brought back previous finalists to do it.

I've only ever watched one Christmas special. I just have no interest in them at all!

I would rather have a clip show

I'd like it to be a show where all the pros do a demo of the dances done to a really high standard.

I've just watched and agree very odd as there was no cheering or clapping at all..

Ooo

A clip show with highlights and repeats of best moments and favourite dances from the just finished series would be great.

I agree @Bluffinwithmymuffin

Yes I'd love that too.

I don’t think Nigel is joyless - just not all gushing and cheesy smiles all the time like some of them

I liked that too. It was sometimes (intentionally or not) an opportunity to settle scores/right wrongs. Colin Jackson was on it one year and did the most fantastic quickstep, and won.
However, I do like the 'random sleb' format too. I often wonder if it's an informal audition for the main show – slebs feeling out if they think they'd like to do it, the production team seeing how the audience and pros like them.
I remember Sheila Hancock being on once and thinking what a joy it'd be if she did the main show. Would still love to see her do it!

I thought if you did Christmas, then you weren't allowed to do the main show.

I much preferred when they brought back former slebs who were good but had gone 'too early' or been injured out. Would love to see AJ lift the glitter ball or Amanda Abbington come back.

If that's the case then it would explain why no one has ever gone from the Christmas to the main show! Maybe it's for people who fancy it but can't/don't want to commit to the long haul.
I do like seeing contestants come back. I think they should have a balance of those and new/one-off people.

Is Amanda still being shown on the opening credits ? I think she is, but I'm usually wrong !
It's a shame that she isn't coming back for a quick twirl at the final
I think she'd get a big cheer.

Yes, they don't change the credits.
Is it confirmed that she won't be coming to the final? I was wondering about that. I can't remember if people who've had to drop out usually do come back for the final.

A quick Google shows Matt Goss and Helen Skelton both did Christmas specials before doing the main series

Ah, so it's not the case that you can't then. Which makes me wonder again why so many DON'T go on to the main series...

I thought for sure you weren't allowed to do Christmas first and then the main show - wonder where I got that info from?!!

I think a lot of the Celebs that do the Christmas Special perhaps feel they couldn’t manage a whole series due to work/family commitments?

I’m going to throw in an early suggestion for the Christmas 2024 show - Jeremy Hunt. Apparently he does a bit of Latin in his spare time (god can you imagine!) and he’s likely to have some spare time come next Christmas 😜 He wouldn’t be the first politician, Vince Cable did the Christmas Special with Erin Boag one year (he and his late wife used to have ballroom lessons together) and then of course on the main series there was Edwina Curry, Anne Widdecombe and Ed “Gangnam” Balls!

Did maisie also not do the Christmas special before joining the "main" show?