SCD 2024 #2 : First slebs announced, warm up continues - No Spoilers Please (added by MNHQ at request of the OP)

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

KEEP DANCING EVERYONE

Hopefully this thread will see some closure to the unpleasantness in the form of findings; as well as the build up to the beginning.

Now Kimberley Wyatt really would be unfair!
Thank goodness Caprice has never been asked!

Edit: Ackerley rumoured to have been reserve but no source

I have to say Rebecca Adlington/Cheryl Baker and Michaela Strachan would have been good enough signings as far as I am concerned.

There'll be others who were snubbed/reserve list one year and used another.
Difficult though to know as very few let on.

I'd love to know who's on the Standby list for this year

I found it really strange that they rejected Michaela Strachan twice, given that she would fit the 'mature well-known woman with enough dance training to see her through to the final stages' mould well. When you think about who they do sign up .....

As to the standby list, the fact that they have one at all means they really have no excuse for only signing six women. If they have female celebs to spare, then they have female celebs they could have signed up.

Some strange refusals on both lists

I agree. I am also glad that Gemma Collins, Katie Price and Kerry Katona have never been asked.

Where do the asked and declined/not asked list come from? Do we know how reliable they are? I've certainly heard people who aren't on either list say they have been approached and said no.
Surely someone signed as a reserve for year A would be the first name on the list for year B, unless they declined because they weren't available.
I can kind of understand you are pursuing two young female soap stars and they both happen to say yes in the same year having turn it down 4 times before so you have to pick one and by the following year they are neck deep in filming their new drama so can't take it. But if you have older TV lady who would do around the day job as a reserve you would pencil her in for the next series and it's one less person you have to find next time.

I read in one of the less-salacious/more-reliable (if indeed such a thing exists) books that a pre-Prince Harry Meghan Markle had initial talks about appearing on Strictly, in her Suits days and when she was trying to launch a career in the UK (I think in 2013?), apparently not working out because of her filming commitments in the US.

Not sure how accurate this is though.

Names on the lists came from tabloids so do take with a pinch of salt - but majority did have quotes ascribed to them

Those lists came from me
They are as accurate as the reports they came from.
Certain people - Noel Gallagher, Michael Owen, Meghan Markle, Fergie, I did take with a pinch of salt. Used mainly those who stated in a paid interview they had declined or been snubbed by .

Well, this is it - no idea who is on it or what sex. I'd thought Kelvin was official back up when he replaced Jamie Laing but he says he was a real last minute sub with a couple of hours to confirm, as their substitute wasn't doing it.
Could be BS/vanity on his part, don't know.
Agents will always be cagey when it comes to protecting clients.

I also wonder about those that did do the Specials then said "Never again!" /opted for a one-off only. (Konnie Huq was definitely the former, Ronan Keating, Sophie Raworth, Mel Giedroyc the latter).

And all those who signed up for the Masked Dancer. Was the £ better or was it just the anonymity that swung it?

Liam Charles
Howard Donald
Eddie the Eagle
Gareth Malone
Tamsin Outhwaite
Joanna Page
Frankie Seaman
Dita von Teese

Chris Dean did a Children in need episode (it was brill)
Jordan Banjo/Adam Garcia (?) Bonnie Langford would have been deemed too ringery
Jesse Metcalfe/Heather Morris had already done DWTS and was a ringer
I guess the Masked Dancer commitment might be easier if rigged

A lot of those on the ‘never asked’ list have done Dancing on Ice and until recently there wasn’t any crossover between that and Strictly - but now Angela Rippon’s done both maybe they’ll start asking ex DOI contestants to do Strictly?

Fire from Gladiators just announced..had to Google as couldn't for the life of me picture which one she was!

Another one on the Sun's list.

I think they need a refresh of the casting department. They could have put a bit more effort into the anniversary year.

Tom with Nadiya (although surprisingly for me, I'd have preferred him with Karen)
Fire with Aljaz (as he must be back for a pairing and I assume Jojo is troupe/choreo only due to Kinky Boots?)

This is like when a company is sued for sexual harassment by some of its female employees and then the directors secretly agree that employing women is more trouble than it's worth.

Chris (47) 5"6 (?) Dianne (35) 5"3
JB (37) 5"8 Nancy (33) 5"6
Wynne (52) 5"10 (?) Amy (33) 5"7
Toyah (66) 5"1 Vito (31) 5"11

Punam (41) 5"3 (?) Carlos (31?) 5"8
Pete (35) 5"9 Katya (35) 5"5
Tasha (26) 5"8 Kai (28) 6"2
Sarah (53) 5"1 Gorka (33) 5"6

Shayne (39) 5"9 Lauren (33) 5"6
Jamie (29) 5"7 Jowita (29) 5"
Tom 6"4 (24) Nadiya 5"8 (34)
Montell 5"10 (37) Aljaz 6" (34)

I'm benching Karen and Michelle
I'm benching Jojo and, sad to say it, Neil

Also Luba, 5"7.
I wonder if Aijaz needs someone based in Cheshire because of the childcare etc. (I spend too much time wondering about their childcare situation)! I guessing Janette and Aijaz's Christmas touring show is cancelled unless Aijaz will be partnered with someone who won't get beyond October.

Benching Jojo how very dare you 😂

They can't bench Karen! Karen has not had her due

I have one of the last announced for Luba!
Didn't know Aljaz was touring.
Assume he won't be benched.
I'd prefer Jojo with Fire tbh but since Anthony moaned about "minorities" (his words) paired with minorities after he and Oti were voted out, I'm not sure how often they will.

The last woman to be announced is possible in Liverpool so could be one for Aljaz or even Gorks, if we're talking geography, but is 5"7 so I had her with Nikita.

As ever I am in awe of your forensic analysis Sequins

Didn't he say himself he had a different role this year?!
I thought he had Kinky Boots to rehearse for!

If I had my way, Aljaz and Gorks would both be on the bench #justice for Neil and #pissyGorka

I just cannot see either there