SCD '24 #3: The Vengabus has arrived in the studio... (SPOILER FREE)

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

...and we are coupling up!

Previous thread.

Spoiler thread if you like to indulge.

I hate being tickled and someone I've just met tickling me would piss me off, it's still inappropriate behaviour even if you're blind. Unsolicited tickling is a form of groping.

How do you know it was unsolicited/unwelcome and not something they'd been doing in training?

Amy had breast cancer.

I'm glad it's back, but it was a little bit odd - a bit like a big family wedding where no-one mentions great-uncle George, who's just been very publicly arrested for something grim. A determined, rictus-grinned silent refusal to allude to something awkward that's ever-present, hovering on the edge of what's not being said.

I thought Wynne was genuinely amusing and Chris was lovely. Like @bizzey I think Pete will provide what I'm missing with Graziano's absence, hehe, though his tatts are a bit much.

Paul M has the deeply troubled past of Tony Adams but seemingly without the charm and thoughtful introspection. I didn't think he came across very well, hopefully I'll be proved wrong.

I don't understand the dislike for Neil. Is it because of Katya? Hopefully not ginger-bias! I've always quite liked him.

I think Montell will win. She seems lovely and capable. Plus, as others have said, nice for Johannes not to be in a 'support worker' type-role for a partner who's had unhappiness in the recent past. He's such a sweetheart. I think Ellie Taylor really only got as far as she did because of the love for Johannes. I think Paul or Nick will be first out. I love Toyah too, hope she does well.

It was all it’s the best thing ever, so special. Don’t know how they can say that with such straight faces!

Did the Strictly announcers mention the breast cancer? I did skip through some of it as I find this episode overlong and a bit silly. I do think a lot of people in the BBC and on here think people are more interested in the pros than people like me are. If she's back after having medical treatment why not say so unless she doesn't want it mentioned which is odd if everyone on here knows

@2Rebecca

It was mentioned a lot last year, she attended the show bald once or twice and verbal good wishes were sent out to her. The BBC did do a documentary on her and a big deal was made in her return when the pros were announced, so yes it was a known thing.

Plus it has been on the BBC website as News quite a lot too.

I am glad she is well.

Not being snarky at all as I genuinely don’t understand this - there was an ENTIRE pro-dance dedicated to Amy’s return after breast cancer last Saturday, and Tess and Claudia mentioned her absence and wished her well more than once last year - she came on to the show a couple of times when she felt well enough. And there was a BBC documentary charting her illness and treatment: she allowed them to film her throughout.

So not sure where you got the idea that it wasn’t being mentioned

But they haven't just met?

I like Neil. I don't think that he's natural in front of the camera so he looks a bit 'fake'. I also thought that he was very dignified about the whole Katya mess. I loved his Charleston with Alex.

Mind you, when Toyah said that she wanted to abseil down into the studio, I thought that Neil was going to have a very interesting time keeping up.

exactly, and Dianne commented on the Insta post with laughing emojis, when Chris said he was 3 inches away from being cancelled. It was either something they've felt comfortable with, or it's already been something they do - eg she might have tickled him in training to signal a certain position he should be in, or something. I have no idea, but I think we should all stop being outraged for other people, if the other people are publicly laughing about it

he was so dignified when they split - I give a lot of respect for how he dealt with it. He could have been really nasty and spilled lots of beans, but he didnt.
I also dont really understand the fake comments (I know you were quoting a PP). I think he's just a bit like a puppy, and is v enthusiastic. He also knows the spotlight is on him each time he has a partner, as he knows the pressure is on for him to be liked and likeable. It's actually a crappy position for him to be in, imo. He cant do right for wrong.

Just checking in, I've been on these treads before but name changing more these days.

Watched Saturday's launch show on catchup last night.

Pleased to see Amy and Aljaz back, really like them both. Amy's documentary was very good if you've not seen it.

Sorry that Lauren was benched as she was amazing with KGM. The Gio tour reason makes sense.
Not that fussed over Carlos (his choreo needs work) or Kai (I like him, he was amazing with AJ, but if there's ANY questions over his behaviour with Nadiya I can see why they've benched him before any more scandals come out).

It's an interesting bunch, quite bantz, I think some will rise and fall out of favour quite quickly as Strictly does its thing of letting their personalities come through.

I feel like Wynne could be another Jade in that lots of people will like him at the start but he gets increasingly annoying and there's a massive sigh of relief when he goes.

I hope Tom Dean does well, I am a huge Duncan Scott fan and they are so funny together, the men's swim relay team really are incredible with back to back golds with the same team over 2 Olympics and never quite get the recognition they deserve compared to track athletes.

The Dad dancing should be amusing for a few weeks. I think a PP is right that Paul Merson doesn't give a fuck and just wants the cheque.

Toyah and Neil could be inspired genius bonkersness or a total car crash.

I hope Sam Quek doesn't overdo the "I'm so nervous" thing or that will get wearing very quickly.

Pete Wicks could be really good, he could be a dark horse if he gets through the mid series pick off.

I find Neil intensely annoying but can't tell you why.

However, I find 90% of the professionals annoying anyway so he's nothing special.

At the moment only Nikita, Lauren and ... Nope, just Nikita and Lauren don't irritate me.

I find Neil a bit annoying. But he deserves another chance to squire the older women.

Saw a report on Apple News this morning that the outcome of the investigation is "pretty close"

its just embarrassing now that no statement has been forthcoming. I assume the BBC is pretty much fucked - admit that Amanda was right and she will sue for loss of income/emotional distress. Admit Giovanni was right, and he could sue for reputational damage - how the heck do you overcome that when neither are prepared to compromise?

I think failing to deal with it earlier means theres a huge shadow over this current series.

My optician and I were laughing about this.

The launch show mentioned nothing. It was all "happy Strictly family, nothing to see here".

I've got a slight inappropriate crush on Duncan Scott

@TheShellBeach they were using Amy as a clear diversion tactic!
"Look its all happy here - see Amy? Oh we have sparkles and glitter - and Amy! Have you seen our pro dancers, such a great group of people - and by the way, Amy is back! and here's some lovely banter between the group, but don't forget in the corner, it's Amy!"

It's been repeated for weeks it's nearly resolved.

Actually, I'm bored of Amy.

Yes.
Over and over again, we're told they're about to publish their findings, but they never do.

I bet we'll get to the Final, and the BBC will still be "about to release their findings".

It's all a game, to tantalise the viewers.

@NewMaltese great taste!