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.

The problem with ITV people saying they've heard things is that they're literally stirring the pot re their biggest competitor, and (I think) the biggest light entertainment show on UK television, so it doesn't really hold much weight without evidence or something.

It might have made sense here given I can't see an openly gay contestant or potential same sex partnership.
If they'd taken out Wynne, as an example, and replaced with Tia - you'd have had 8 men, 6 women and 1 same-sex partnership whereby Tia could have danced with Carlos in drag (with the one obligatory de-dragging choreo).
That said, if you saw Tia attempting Charleston moves on RPDR, you'd be yelling First Boot. They were coached iirc by Janette and Aljaz and were...oof.
However, given the 9-6 pairs, the backlash would have been there. Tabloids would have dragged out (pardon the pun) Amanda's views on drag queens.
Whichever drag queen they chose would have had online bullying.
Easier to go with the older footballer.

We have no idea if she's declined a full stint or if she made it clear from the start that she'd never do a series, though.
She said she really enjoyed doing it, so if she did decline, I wouldn't imagine it'd be because she had insider info about a toxic environment.
I'm pretty sure Tess, Claudia, Zoe and Sara would all have spoken up if they knew anything concrete

I do agree but Richard also covers BBC radio from time to time, has been approached a few times for Strictly and - if true that he did drop out last minute one time due to cold feet - that may well have been down to being warned what the show entailed (although we've discussed on here that after seeing the show develop, you'd be a rube not to understand what it entails).
Certainly, he'd have some inside goss now from Charlotte Hawkins and Ranvir Singh.

I'm pretty sure Tess, Claudia, Zoe and Sara would all have spoken up if they knew anything concrete
I'm pretty sure they wouldn't say a dicky bird.
All four have excellent contracts with the Beeb.
They'll have been told not to discuss at all.
Tess was with Vick Hope the other week.
Zoe is very close to Richie Anderson.

Sara Cox: I love reality TV, but would not do it myself | BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
“I did the Christmas special of Strictly, but I was rubbish – I enjoyed it and I think I am quite a good dancer actually but it takes a certain sort of brain to cope with those routines. I did a waltz to a really boring song, Silent Night – Elvis Presley’s version. My partner Robin was a bit shorter than me so I felt like the lanky lass at the disco.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: the contestants – ranked! | Strictly Come Dancing | The Guardian

Michael Hogan's ranking

"reality rent a face"

You don't think they'd even have challenged any comments they witnessed or spoke to the production team? I'm not suggesting they should speak out publicly

I'm also not suggesting that I disbelieve accusations BTW- quite the opposite.
I just feel that if Richard M decided to withdraw from that huge opportunity because of allegations, then I'm sure we'd have heard all about that. He wouldn't have quietly tiptoed away

Wow how boring. Louise Rainbow 🌈 was a much better producer. Edited she was executive producer. But obviously much better than her replacement.
Stefani ? Is the celeb booker but still. Obv has no one telling her to make sure its an even split and not get footballers all the time.

Regarding Ricahrd M. I think he's just not into long celeb reality shows. He quit I'm a celeb very quickly. He did another show where he stayed for 2 whole nights!
He's just not cut out for lengthy shows. Lazy. Drama queen maybe. Diva whatever.

Strictly 2013 - 2018 was a really good era imo. Good casts and less gimmick or graphics. More effort put in.

He did a strange stint on The Circle IIRC

Yeh that's the one I was thinking. As a guest.

Chris + Dianne she's never had a contender with additional needs
JB + Nancy she's due a good one after Les
Wynne + Amy both Welsh
Toyah + Vito he's due an older contestant
Punam + Carlos he's due a middler
Pete + Katya showmance
Tasha + Kai showmance
Sarah + Gorka he's due a good one after Nikita
Shayne + Lauren reward for her work with Krish
Jamie + Jowita heights
Tom + Nadiya did try-out together and he's following her on insta
Montell + Aljaz heights
Sam + Nikita (or NW pro i.e. Gorka or Aljaz as she's based in Liverpool?)
Nick + Luba she needs a personality contestant
Paul + Karen she's never had a Sportsman

Can we rule out
Nadiya/Katya with Merse - they've both had footballers
Jamie with Nancy - they were paired in the Xmas special
Karen with Chris - she's been paired with enough comedians already

The above would mean Neil/Jojo and Michelle benched
I'd like to see Neil and Michelle partnered but don't know who they'd bench instead (unless they put them all in a hat!)

I really thought Jamie/ Jay Eastenders was taller than 5'7 maybe cos he's so slim.

Love these predictions!
Particularly, Wynne and Amy - both Welsh 😂

Oh dear! That is exactly who i thought she was.

I used to do that with Christine Bleakly and Alex Jones — they're really not that similar other than in age and type of presenting jobs, but I definitely mixed them up a few times! I used to wait to hear them speak to know which was which.

For these two, in terms of accents, Alex is very London and Sam is from the Wirral (so more Liverpool-sounding) if that helps.

Yeah, and I feel like they kind of appeared on the TV at a similar time - and as you say, they do similar jobs, similar height, build, look etc

Alex Jones is Welsh! Very much not a London accent!

I think she means Alex Scott.

Sorry - got confused as the post mentioned Alex Jones! Didn’t realise she was then talking about a different Alex!

Jowita and Pete for a showmance I think. I’ve seen a few pics in the papers already hinting. Not saying there’s anything in it mind but when has that stopped it.