Strictly Come Dancing '24 Thread 1 : Who will be our celebs and Pros?

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Starting a new SCD thread for chat prior to the series as the last is about to fill.

These threads are usually helmed by @PolkadotsAndMoonbeams and I normally deputise, but I haven't seen her around in a while

This thread will discuss who has been chosen for the show, but not who has been paired with who as that's a spoiler for the first show.

This is a NO SPOILER thread

Get Ready To KEEP DANCING.

I think being directly employed by them is different from LR situation though.
She wouldn't be complaining against her employer as such

I agree about not rocking the boat because it's the BBC, if you want work and you're effectively freelance the media industry is notorious for being cutthroat because there's always plenty more people vying for their shot. Zara is a good case in point as her career is flimsy at best of course she doesn't want to appear difficult to work with

Ah, there was a second slide (I'm old and not used to insta).
She does mention the incident - he used derogatory words and it was unacceptable - but says she still didn't believe Anton was racist or islamophobic or she would have refused to dance with him. He was generous, patient and hardworking.

At the time, I remember thinking that she'd have given him the boot if he'd meant it in a nasty way. I've always wondered what actually happened, given that she's not from Pakistan and given that she said he's not racist, ie I wonder if they had both previously used the word in a jokey way, but she was offended when he used it towards her, or something. In other words, if she had been using the word too, then you can see why she wouldn't want to complain and also why she wouldn't want the details being made public.
Obv I'm guessing, but it just seems odd to say that she doesn't believe he's racist given that he used an offensive racial slur.

Seems to me that the anti-Amanda brigade on TwitterX are one or more of:

• massive Giovanni fans

• big believers of the happy family, sparkly, joyful SCD vibe

• haters of AA’s “trans women are men” stance

• lovers of a pile-on irrespective of topic

Some neutral types showing empathy but wondering if she underestimated the commitment and training required and was too soft of character for the show.

FWIW I’m inclined to believe her version and I feel convinced that there is a deal of toxicity within SCD, but I’m obviously not in possession of the facts. She just seemed genuine and candid to me in that interview. And as others have said, Krishnan is a serious journalist with no axe to grind, having enjoyed the SCD experience with Lauren.

"There has been much speculation over the last couple of weeks about alleged complaints I have made to the BBC regarding my time at Strictly.
I had no intention of making a statement but now feel it's necessary as over the last couple of weeks there have been false accusations, online abuse and harassment aimed at me and my family.
Strictly is a show I have always loved so when I was offered the opportunity to compete, I was ecstatic.
When I was paired with Anton, I knew I was in safe hands. The show demands much of your time and energy. Anton and I rehearsed 7 days a week for approx 6/7 hours a day.
This was on my insistence and Anton made himself available at these times. At no point did I feel pressured by Anton or the producers to add more time to rehearsals.
Unfortunately, my time on the show was scarred by a handful of incidents, some of which were discussed in the press at the time.
I would like to address those incidents; Yes, Anton used derogatory words and it was unacceptable. Yes, Anton publicly apologised to me.
Above all this, and most importantly, I do not believe Anton is racist or Islamophobic. If I believed he was, I would have refused to dance with him.
I wish to make clear, apart from the situation mentioned above, which was dealt with, at absolutely no point was I physically, emotionally, sexually or verbally abused by Anton.
At no point did Anton use manipulation or cruelty towards me during rehearsals.
At no point did I feel vulnerable in Anton's presence. Anton was generous, patient and hardworking.
I am making this statement as I do not want to take the focus away from those who have bravely spoken out about the alleged abuse they experienced on the show.
I do not want my experience to be merged in with extremely serious and disturbing allegations from other contestants.
The focus should remain with them and their stories, because their stories matter. Their stories must be addressed and investigated.
Also, it would be morally reprehensible if I allowed speculation about Anton to continue.
It would be unfair for Anton to lose his livelihood, his reputation and his credibility because of an incident that happened 15 years ago and to the best of my knowledge has not happened since.
I cannot in good faith along this guesswork to continue.
However, the experiences I have personally heard, from other contestants, are incredibly concerning and far eclipse my own.
Needless to say, I have not made an official complaint to the BBC regarding Anton and I do not intend to.
I do however welcome conversations with the BBC about their duty of care.

(full statement is on insta - she also talks about opportunities to have a conversation and grow but also championing those who stand against abuse).

Well that's comprehensive

So pleased to read that and know Anton is a good egg!

That's a cracking statement. Covers everything. And especially the bit where she says she doesn't want to be lumped in with the serious allegations.
I said previously that the lesser complaints are diminishing the actual issues, and glad that LR has also hinted at that

Great statement

Just seen the headline about signing Paul Merson. Honestly, if Strictly is going to start offering six-figure sums to get people to sign up then why go for a long-rerired footballer? He's exactly the kind of celeb they could have signed up anyway. I appreciate that I have at least heard of him but if they are going to pay out big money then surely they could get someone a bit more exciting?

He’d be this year’s Tony Adams. I do have a soft spot for Mers though.

Just told DH Merson might be doing strictly and he almost choked on his drink 😆

6 figures? Seriously?
This isn't DWTS!
Genuinely, I thought on both shows all competitiors got the same basic fee, then the bonuses.
I know they're at the hands of their agents and can say no or haggle but how is it remotely fair that a bigger name will command that much, if the rest are only on 25k? That's divisive for a start.
The pros are going to be told to go easier - how do they put aside resentment if their sleb is on 100K. That cannot be right, surely.
They get that much for winning the
Plus who's he for? He's a wife-beater not Thierry bloody Henry.

Well, I could understand six figures for Thierry Henry. Maybe Paul Merson's people are trying to bump up his fees by leaking rubbish so they can say, 'Well, Strictly gave him a hundred grand.' Paying some celebs more than others could give rise to those feelings that Will Bailey voiced, that some celebs are treated as if they are not worthy. I don't mind them upping the flat-rate to get bigger names but ...... Paul Merson? Feels too similar to Tony Adams.

Paul Merson?
OMG

read this

Lovely.
A violent wife beater, who has eight children by three different women.

Had no idea who he was so read up on his wikipedia, he's only just been banned from driving because of speeding offences, in addition to his other issues. Is there no one else who could step into the place of "older man many old working class men would know".

Well that's hardly going to help the shows image. WTF are they thinking of?

I think that Paul Merson is widely seen as a positive figure now for the way he's "faced his demons" and is outspoken about mental health and alcohol problems. I'm agnostic because he's not on my radar but he's not necessarily a bad pick. To my mind though he's just a more extreme, less likeable version of Tony Adams.

A look at the comments below this Guardian Q&A last year shows a lot of love.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/14/paul-merson-i-was-at-the-brit-awards-and-asked-kylie-minogue-out-she-said-no#comments. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/14/paul-merson-i-was-at-the-brit-awards-and-asked-kylie-minogue-out-she-said-no#comments]].]] There's just one lone voice I saw saying "he did a lot of damage to other people though." and they get pushback for not being kind.

I am sure he treated his first wife appallingly and I hope he'd be the first to agree that she was completely right to leave him.

I don't know who he is- sounds vile- but am so sick of contestants who can't stop talking about their MH.

I did like Tony Adams.

If Paul Merson is a positive figure, the BBC might as well sign up Ryan Giggs, or that Dutch athlete who has convictions for child rape.

I wish it had been Paul Merton!

He's just been banned for speeding and he gambled away his family's deposit for house (they rent) during lockdown.
I think it's a bad signing tbh.
You can't on the one hand, talk about doing psychological profiling to check on vulnerability then sign up someone who's a risk-taking red flag.
There are other footballers out there.

Yeah, do something terrible, indulge in booze drugs whatever, and then spend years in the press talking about your demons. How about just being boring and not doing that stuff?