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.

I've been waiting for Mutya to do it for ages. She seems such an obvious pick.

The other woman I've wanted to do it for ages is Lauren Laverne. She's so likeable.

Ooh, Lauren could use Greased Lightnin' (last used by Nicola Adams?)
(for anyone unaware, her band was called Kenickie!)

Lauren watches it and she's met Shirley before
BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Shirley Ballas, dance judge
They must have asked her, surely? Shirley
I know Jo Whiley has never been keen as she says she has no rhythm <adds to list>

Rev Kate Bottley was keen to do it in in 2018. The more I think about it, the more annoyed I am that they haven't done the 8-7 split. They can't have all been frightened off.

I have a theory that they ask a whole load of celebrities who'd be willing and available to do ANY of the following -
Celebrity Mastermind
Celebrity MasterChef
Strictly
Celebrity Race Across The World
Celebrity Pointless
Any one-off Celebrity special
And then they keep them on file and approach them as and when their availability matches/could match the filming schedules, then they take it from there.
I've often wondered with Strictly how they decide who to offer the slots to. Obv there has to be a mix of how they're known, ie soaps, sports, reality, comedy etc, plus there has to be a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities.

But apart from that, it must be a logistical nightmare- eg do they offer 15 slots and tell them that they must accept or decline within a few days? Then offer to a few more celebs depending on who declines? And pray that they have enough/not too many to make a series out of it?

Rev Kate Bottley was on Celebrity MasterChef and she was thoroughly obnoxious. I would feel sorry for her poor pro on Strictly.

Neither Charlotte nor Rev Kate would be contestants I'd personally love to do it (that would be Kim Wilde/Martha Howe-Douglas) although there'd still be "heavenly" songs to be had, seeing as Rev Richard Coles wasn't in it for very long; I'm just making the point (as others have) that there must have been more women to make an offer to.
I'm sure the numbers will even out eventually but it is weird the choices Stefania made in the wake of a scandal and the Beeb insisting "nothing to see here" when the imbalance is profound.
Lauren Laverne announced she is being treated for cancer - but they've caught it early. It was just on the radio.

Yes some very odd casting this year.
The more you start thinking about D List celeb females the easier it is to start naming 100s in and out of the lime light. 🌟
If they cared having 8 females this year for various reasons they could I would assume get a bbc news or weather / sports presenter to sign up, make it worth their while. Even if it was one of the low key ones that aren't particularly or at all well known.
A bbc female Tennis commentator that you hear during Wimbledon.
Or how bout the voice of masterchef lol

Strictly does often have 3 omg who's that cast. Which is fine.

You're right of course:
Sarah Keith-Lucas
Sally Boazman (Sally Traffic)/Bobbie Pryor
India Fisher
Samira Ahmed
There's loads they could have asked - I love the idea of a famous voiceover artist being seen in the flesh!
That includes Marcus Bentley or Dave Lamb for next year

Yes Dave Lamb and India Fisher. They seem way more interesting than some of the current cast..
I also read that Marcus Bentley said he had turned down lots of stuff back in the day but would now say yes rather than no.
Here's another few from back in the day:-
Kirsten 0 Brien kids tv
Josie d'Arby kids tv
Anne Diamond presenter
Anna Richardson presenter
Angela Griffin actor/ presenter
Lisa Faulkner actor/ chef
Nicola Stephenson Holly city
Daniela Denby-Ashe bbc my family etc
Elisabeth Dermot Walsh bbc doctors
Jan Pearson bbc doctors for tears

I love Sally Traffic! The interviews with Claudia would be funny, I think they’re friends.

Bad news from Lauren. I really hope it’s responding to treatment. Was she rumoured to be involved this year?

Right there is no way Maria McErlane would have said no.

There must be an older Blue Peter presenter or two kicking around they could ask.

Konnie Huq?

Konnie said she'd never do a full run after doing a one-off episode (a children in need one).

Anne Diamond had cancer last year. I think she's too competitive to go on Strictly (as in, she wouldn't do it if there was any chance of being a first boot). I only say this because allegedly she was so awful to James Acaster for doing well on House of Games that he ended up throwing it (they record them all in a day and you can see him "throughout the week" get quieter and not press the button even though he clearly knows it).

Sorry, a mouse is keeping me awake . Lisa Faulkner and John Torode both said they'd never do it <updates list> as they'd want to learn privately, she thinks she'd be rubbish and he wants their relationship kept private.

Joel Dommett's wife would prefer he didn't do it.
Jack Dee has been approached before.
Michael Mosley was approached just weeks before he died.
Helen Skelton was a last-minute signing.
Gareth Gates said he'd love to do it last year (has done DOI though).
I'm not sure why, Angela Rippon apart, they don't like a Strictly/DOI crossover. The skills are not the same.
Grayson Perry turned it down once but showed interest in 2020 (lockdown?) if paired with Oti, out of drag except maybe Halloween.
He'd have been an interesting signing.

Shayne Ward was on DOI, I forgot that. They must be becoming more flexible then.

Strictly 2024 line-up: Wham! legend Andrew Ridgeley throws hat into mix | Metro News
Not sure why this is under 2024 as he said it last July. The Wham! doc came out then, as did the singles re-release. His book was a bestseller four years ago.
I know Stefania said she doesn't like "repeats" back-to-back and Nadiya/Matt Goss were 2022 but bloody hell, she missed a trick if he was keen last year.

Wilf is over the moon!!!

Oh that's lovely elderflower. I did think of him when I read that. Hugs to you both x

Claire Sweeney did Strictly very early on, then later did DoI.

Loads of people have done Strictly then DOI. Denise VO, Jason Donovan, Colin Jackson Rachel Stevens, Patsy Palmer. Greg Rutherford. Plus a couple of the pros of course.

Yes, all the above did Strictly then went onto to DOI
But the other way round - They've always been very snooty about having DOI's sloppy seconds.
I really don't know why. Apart from the women being able to hold themselves/help in the lifts, I fail to see how much it would help.

John Barrowman did a Xmas special but Angela Rippon was the first to do a full run and now Shayne this year.

These DOI alumni once expressed an interest in doing Strictly but it hasn't happened yet because of Beeb being sniffy (or they ended up doing DOI as Strictly ignored them despite them touting):

Cheryl Baker
Caprice
Kerry Catona
Gemma Collins
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
Gareth Gates
Coleen Nolan
Joe Pasquale
Jake Quickenden
Kimberly Wyatt

I'm also surprised they haven't signed up a Dancing on Ice pro, given James/Brendan ended up skating, unless ITV ties prevent them (Dan still works on DOI doesn't he? edit: yes, creative director)

Household name skater pros for me would be:
Brianne Delcourt (added audience bonus Kevin Kilbane comes to support her)
Matt Evers was the longest serving pro
Frankie Poultney (added audience bonus David Seaman comes to support her)
Daniel Whiston with obligatory to camera
(Sylvain Longchambon is still a pro)
Frankie and David did Masked Dancer though

I've never watched Dancing On Ice but none of the pros seem to have become famous in the way the Strictly pros have. Strictly could have gone for Robin Cousins or someone like that. An older man with a big of musicality would have been good.