Strictly 2025 : Warm Up Chat

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Thought I’d sound the KLAXON and round everyone up for some Strictly chat about possible/rumoured contestants. They usually start announcing soon!

I’ve heard Dani Dyer, Stacey Solomon, Ashley Cain and Tom Parker Bowles

He definitely identifies as a gay man who will probably dance with another man which isnt unusual for strictly now.

'we get another man who is no doubt being counted as a woman?'

Oh yes, it will be 'she' this and 'she' that 🙄

But if instead of say 8 women and 8 men (or whatever the numbers are) we get 7 women and 9 men (which is what happened at Christmas) a woman has lost out on the opportunity to be on the show. It's not about a same sex partnership it's about (potentially) the second series in a row having more male celebs than females.

It will be very irritating if they count a man who is parodying femininity as a woman, especially after last year's blokey series (look how well that went behind the scenes). I don't necessarily mind drag acts but some of them clearly loathe women and a lot of them aren't great comedians and rely a lot on the costumes to do the heavy lifting.

Thats fair I misunderstood you, we don't know how many women were asked though, so taking a place is speculation.

Who are the ringers so far? I always like them when nobody else does.
I hope Kai isn't paired with La Voix. He has danced with a man before.

We do know that at Christmas which is usually an equal number of M/F contestants the drag artist was classed as 'F' despite being M so following a male heavy main series last year the Christmas show also had more male than female contestants.

It's not about how many are asked it's about balance in the final lineup. They may ask 50 sports people to end up with 2 on the show or the first 2 sports people they approach may say yes but then they move on to find actors/ singers/ DJs.etc rather than having 15 sports starts and one 'influencer'.

Last year's blokey dad dancing dominated series was so dull. Full of wife beaters, drunk drivers and creepy, handsy men. Give me some women already!

Ive only seen La Voix on pointless. I'm not a fan of drag at all. I find it offensive.
That said, in the small viewing I had of him, he seemed quite classy and talented.

I hope Kai gets a great female partner this year. We need more Kai!
Well I do...

'I hope Kai gets a great female partner this year. We need more Kai!'

I love Kai too. Would like to see him with Alex Kingston

Kai has been paired with a woman over or nearing 60 for 2 of his 3 appearances, so I really would like to see him with someone his own age, like AJ Odudu.

He is great with older women without being patronising i think he is being styled as the new Anton so older fashioned but isn't he 30 or something so I agree give him a chance.

Oh yeah wasn't there 3 more Men than women last year.
I found that really weird/ annoying.

Yes, you made that very clear. That said, I do agree with it being a bit strange.
Let's hope we have a more balanced cast this year.

Someone mentioned upthread that there was no way that Strictly would have a drag queen this year, but it would have surprised me more if they hadn't tbh.

I've only seen La Voix on Pointless and I didn't mind them too much then. I wonder whether we will see Chris Dennis or La Voix more.

As usual, I know hardly any of this lineup. Hope one or two more well- known ones to be announced.

Just catching up over lunch!

So we have :

Ellie, Alex, Dani, Balvinder, La Voix, George, Harry
Jimmy, Chris

Have I forgotten anyone? How many spaces do we think are left?

I would pair Ellie with Kai I think

There’s usually 15 contestants so another 6 announcements to go?

Ooo I am late to the party and only just spotted celebs have been announced. As I’m almost finished an ER rewatch I recognised Alex Kingston’s name - have to say, when I’ve seen her on interviews more recently I’ve not found her very likeable so intrigued to see how she comes across on the show. Other than jimmy floyd and Dani Dyer I’m not sure I know many of the others! George Clarke and Dani in the final would be my early bet.

Thanks @ChessieFL!!

So TBA pop star, comedian, female sports personality, one show/ this morning presenter type, + 2 others

I've heard of five of the nine so far and even most of them I'm not that familiar with.

I'm wondering if Alex is going to be more Greg Wise than Sarah Hadland, i.e., an impressive signing but an awkward fit with the show.

What I have found over the years is, it doesn't matter which the big names are, as I usually end up rooting for the ones who I've never heard of at the start of the show.

For example, Danny Mac, Ire and Claudia in 2016, Joe in 2017, Kelvin in 2019, Clara in 2020, Rhys, AJ and Rose in 2020 and more recently Ellie in 2023.

I also had a soft spot for Jamie Borthwick and Michelle last year. I follow Michelle on social media and she's really talented in other ways.

That's what I usually find with the bigger names.

Anneka Rice wasn't great, and Toya was abysmal when I expected her to be good.

FFS

Family viewing?

Not in my house. That's annoying but maybe we're overdue a break from Strictly this year.

Maybe take herself a bit too seriously. She might surprise us though and have a great time.