Strictly 2025 : Post Series Debrief And Christmas Special

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

In case anyone wants to keep chatting

I thought he was excellent too. I suspect he did a lot of propping up and supporting Balvinder through all those DOs (although I do think she was amazingly resilient and gracious as well in her own right). I got the impression they genuinely liked and respected each other.

I've only watched the live show as snippets on YouTube, but I noticed that Neil was very low energy.

Funnily enough, when the series was on, I didn't bother much with Balvinder and Julian, but now that I'm getting my Strictly fix from YouTube and re-runs, I'm warming up to Julian. He reminds me a little of Brendan in the latin dances, with his backside sticking out.

He’s really humorous- quietly witty.

I'd like to see how Julian does with a contender.

I would be happy to lose Dianne as I've never warmed to her brashness.

Balvinder didn't do so bad. Looking back, rewatching to get my Strictly fix, I think that Julian got the best out of her.

This is why I wonder if there's a new direction with the pros and they're looking for supportive teaching as well as technical ability. Can you imagine Joe Varney reacting to his sixth dance off?

At the arena tour, I had to avert my gaze from Julian as I was getting a touch of the vapours. I'm not one to normally have my head turned either.

Deep envy of you getting to see the tour.

The bits that I saw from YouTube, it seemed like some of the pros weren't as enthusiastic as others. I don't know how true that is, but perhaps that's why Julian stood out, as he seemed very committed.

And nice to look at. He also seemed very nice to look at.

Balvinder got to the semifinal!
I didn't used to like Dianne; I thought she was a bit silly and babyish. Have eaten my words since she was partnered with Chris McCausland though. My God she stepped up.

Same re Dianne. Although I think her social media stuff about them being ‘fwends for ever and ever’ was a little nauseous, she really did brilliantly with Chris.

Karen off as well now, according to DM.

Oh, that's sad about Karen if true. She has been badly done by, I think, with too many rubbish partners and bad costumes, but I think she's a good teacher and amazing dancer.

Really sad about Karen.

I also read that Carlos and Johannes are staying. So are Neil and Nancy but neither will have a partner. This is the DM again though, so not sure how accurate this is....

I’m not buying anything said by The Scum or The Fail til there’s a proper announcement by the BBC. It will probably coincide with the presenter announcement I think

Naadiya is tall which limits her ability to be matched. They need to find a very tall male celeb each year for her. Plus having exes on the show might complicate things so easier to lose one. And the Dan Walker friendship - I think Strictly is looking to become whiter than white so anything which raises eyebrows is an issue.

As someone said I wouldn’t be surprised if Michelle’s previous partner’s behaviour is part of the reason she has been dropped. The show wants to move on from all recent scandals. That’s sad for her though.

Gorka possibly left of his own accord now he is established as a Spanish judge. We might see him next as a UK judge in a few years.

Karen’s departure is a shame but I think the show is going to try to capture younger viewers with more influencers and younger contestants and possibly much younger presenters. I wouldn’t be surprised if the new hosts are quite left field eg Vick Hope rather than someone age 45-50.

Apparently Karen has now been axed and there are whispers Katya is ‘at risk’.

TBH I think they’ve both had a good run and they will go down as two of the more memorable pros in Strictly history. But sadly their age is against them, they’re passed retirement age in the pro dancing world.

The press also say Aljaz is unlikely to be in the next series, though apparently Carlos and Johannes will be.

Also stories that Neil and Nancy won’t have partners this year but will be in group routines, though it seems early for that.

I'd be sad if Katya went. I love her routines and she's so charismatic.

I would also be very disappointed if Katya left. She does some stunning choreography and really gets the best from her partners.

It’s a shame if Karen goes but I wouldn’t be particularly surprised, she’s been doing it now for about 12 years and as others have said she’s been noticeably less engaged the last couple of years.

I'm not surprised about Karen either, she has been dialling it in.

We can't lose Katya, I think she's the best female pro.

I thought Johannes was off to the west end with Kinky boots? He seemed to do that whole, farewell thing!
@nomdegrrr1and @Hollieandtheivie I too got a bit flustered watching Julian, which is not my usual way 🤣 He seemed very whimsical as well as fully on the ball!

Urgh! Can't get too excited by the ones left.
Neil?whyyyy unless of course his role is just to be part of the group dances and he's happy with that.
Johannes and Carlos-i simply dont enjoy watching them dance.
Carlos has had his win so I go 😉
Going off nikita more every series.
Amy is deadly dull and not keen on Nancy.
Not sure about alexis or Julian yet.

Luba was for me, the female Neil but I was hoping to see her within a same sex partnership.
Michelle not bothered about (never got the chance to be)
Gorka and Karen will miss but not too terribly.
It's nadiya that im most sad about.
Feel with the right partner she shone,and her personality really came through.
However that only happened with Dan so I guess they need someone more adaptable or a bigger personality.
She's lovely to look at though 😍
I like Diane,vito and jovita the most out of everyone else left.
New pros are always welcome but take a while to settle in and on the back of two new hosts I think it's all a bit much!
Bring back len 🙃🙃🙃🙃

The press are now saying Katya has signed a new contract and will be doing the next series

I think Neil is quite content getting his money from being in group dances and doing bits for ITT.
Nikita irritated me too, last season. He just seemed to become a caricature.
Not keen on Carlos and if he stays he should have someone without much hope.
Karen has lacked enthusiasm this year.
Maybe Dianne will be a bit busy this year.
Vito dialled it down this year and was better for that.
Jovita doesn’t have much personality for me, but she’s already won, so I’m not fussed about her staying.

Not sad about Michelle, Luba or Michelle, but I’d have preferred Gorka to stay. Having said that, I think he’s been starting up other things, including the judging, so he has other irons in the fire.
Nadiya has rarely had anyone who shone, but whether that’s more to do with them or her, I don’t know.
Still like Johannes and Alexis and Julian need another crack at it.

Johannes was on something like The One Show (I think; didn't watch it, just saw a clip on SM) and they asked if he was leaving Strictly after his speech last season, and he said very firmly that he'll stay on the show as long as they'll have him.
I like Nikita when he has someone who's not going to win – thought he was great with Ellie Simmonds – but he gets carried away and a bit arrogant with a contender. I think he's a sweet guy though, and a very charismatic dancer.
I think I'm in the minority but I really like Carlos, especially after seeing more of his personality last season.
Vito is sweet. He can be a bit annoying when he's doing the loud Italian schtick, but he was amazing with Ellie Goldstein. Loved seeing a caring, older-brother side of him.
I like Jovita. She's also very charismatic to watch, and she was a good sport with her no-hoper last time round.
Katya is the best choreographer hands down, but I find her a bit over-ambitious/competitive sometimes.

Michelle has now quit the live tour.

According to the Daily Mail:

-Gorka chose to leave, so Karen, Nadiya, Luba and Michelle are the ones actually cut by the producers.
-The pros were told there would be a cull during the last series, but they hoped the producers wouldn't actually do it.
-The whole thing was essentially a popularity contest: according to the quoted "source", Michelle and Luba are the least high profile, some viewers see Nadiya as unlikeable and some viewers were getting bored of Karen.