Strictly 2025 : The SPOILER Thread (Results and Couplings)

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Starting this a bit early as Spoilers for the couplings could come out at any time.

Thread will normally be the location for the weekly spoiler but will be spoilers for who is paired with who before the 20th if we can get them.

Thanks!

Eine

I wonder if there will be a format shake up or new feel to the show when Tess and Claud leave and there is a new presenter. That's looking increasingly likely to be Zoe Ball, given that she has just announced she's no longer doing her radio 2 show.

I'm in the minority here but I wouldn't be keen on Zoe replacing Tess.

I'd love Rylan - not sure who I'd like to replace Claud

I think people underestimate the skill Tess has, guiding a live show, with all the possibilities for things going wrong, and it's sometimes 2 + hrs long. She just remains pleasant and serene. She never makes it about her.
Claudia's is the easier job, just chatting in the Clauditorium. There are plenty of funny, sharp people who could do that.

I agree. I find Zoe Ball irritating. I wasn't keen on her on ITT. You need someone who makes it about the dancers.

I think she;s one of the few people who has enough live telly experience though to do a full on 2 hour plus show. Cat Deeley maybe, but she's ITV. (Stealth boast) I actually worked with Zoe Ball about a year ago for a morning on something which is similarly unscripted and she was lovely. Super professional, put me at ease and the crew all seemed to get on with her too.

Not sure who I'd pair with her. A lot of people talk about Rylan and I do think he;s great but Claudia's shoes are big shoes to fill.

Why would Zoe leave R2 for Strictly which is now 9 months away. I suspect a bit of coincidence. May be not though.

Possibly a contractual thing. Maybe she either had to commit to signing up to do 2026 on Radio 2 or leave to free herself up for Strictly? Zoe as the Tess and Rylan as the Claud would be good.

I don't think Zoe could do the Tess job, I think someone warmer and nicer is needed.
I would put a duo in, maybe Molly Rainford and Tyler West, or Johannes and Fleur East.

More so than Chris Hollins?

There is no way the BBC is going to trust someone untested or inexperienced with their flagship show. Far too much of a risk.

For me, George and Alexis’ most memorable moment was them giggling in the instant dance. He had so much promise but I don’t think it’s been fulfilled.

Maybe they should take a risk?
Rather than someone a bit dull and predictable, or snide and cutting..
Just a suggestion.
Tess is gold, really.

What about Janette?

Janette or Fleur.

Fleur is awful when doing the scripted bits on ITT. Very wooden and flat

I don't think so. I think she's nice.

Alexis and Jules have done well to get to the semi, being the brand-new pros. It's not often we get the chance to "bond" with the new ones so quickly.
However, I do think other pros would have pushed George harder and got more out of him

She was only doing the weekend breakfast shows, so could have done both. Claudia did the mid morning shows while also doing Strictly.

I think George would be on a par with Chris Hollins.

No, not even close!

Yesterday's samba proved otherwise.

The Charleston was okay, but I think I preferred Chris Hollins' Fat Sam.

It really isn't. There are a gazillion people who are presenters out there. Give it to 2 of them instead of making rich people even richer. By that logic, noone could ever start a career or get a decent job without decades of experience. Was Tess well known when she started?

Strictly wasn’t a big show when Tess started on it.

I was hoping for Mel & Sue. I reckon Sue could nail the Tess role, and Mel is the closest person I can think of to Claudia’s funny bones, warmth and embracing of the slightly chaotic. Plenty of live tv experience as well. I could also tolerate Zoe in place of Sue.

Unless there’s going to be a mega shake up of course, and the roles are going to be completely different.

Just please god, no Holly Willoughby.

No please not!