Strictly 2026 : It’s Emma, Josh and JoJo

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

First thread of the year! Let us reconvene here for further discussions

Yes - but probably one of the least high ranked of the sports stars to do Strictly- perhaps because his dad's profile over shadows his but I don't think of him as a 'big' name which is probably a bit harsh on him because he did play for England a fair bit and have club success.

All caught up 😀

@KitchenColourandstyle I’d call him a bigger name than Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, I had heard of JFH but my friends response was WHO? last year plus as you say SWP has England caps. SWP is probably the biggest male name so far what with the hairdresser and the Love Islander we aren’t spoilt for choice!

So, five to go. One of which is strongly rumoured on dig spy.
I don't have anyone I am rooting for so far, unless one of the other four names turns out to be someone I like.
It won't make a scrap of difference really. Had never heard of Jimmy, I was an 🦉like your friends reise Whoooo! 😂 but I really enjoyed watching him.
Not sure I have a favourite pro now either. They're all a bit giddy. I need a Pissy Gorka or Brenda/James villain arc.

What’s the rumour @SequinsandSolerosInTheSummertime

Jimmy has a similar number of international caps and was a record transfer to Chelsea back in the day. As I say it's probably a bit harsh on SWP that he is better known as Ian's son than he is in his own right but to me he is no John Barnes/ Peter Schmeichel/ Tony Adams/ Davis James/ Karen Carney
The one thing Strictly recruitment has always got right for me is the sports people - obviously they are never going to land the mega star household names Messi/Beckham/Ronaldo level but they have never had players who knocked about at Championship or lower level. All the footballers, rugby players, cricketers etc have been people who played consistently at the top level and have loads of caps. The individual sports stars have all been Olympic medalist etc.

To me SWP is just a half notch below that, he had a good career but never quite reached the level that many of the previous strictly sports people. I would equate him with Robbie Savage career wise in terms of footballers that have appealed but RS had much more of a presence interms of personality he was probably better know for his character than his on pitch achievements SWP is the only male signing so far Ive actually heard of but as you say the competition isn't up to much. For me he's a decent signing but not a wow how did they get him signing.

You clearly know much more about football than me!!

I'm a bit of a sports nut - it was actually a couple of the sports stars in the early series that got me in to Strictly. Dad and I would get back to my parents house after being at football just as Mum was watching Strictly and seeing some of my nailed on sporting heros dancing while I said hi to Mum and grabbed a quick cuppa before I head home got me hooked.

I am still a bit meh about the Social media announcements do.we think they will do a big flouncey launch show ?

Yes it’s being filmed at Elstree on the 9th Sept, it’s included on the email to enter the ballot for audience seats.

Ah ok hopefully it will give the new series a bit of lift .

potential spoiler everyone, pls ignore if you are awaiting announcements yourself

Still here?
Rumour reise is woman who played Gwen in Gavin and Stacey is signed up/ a definite.
I am meh about this. I used to watch it but not avidly. Rob Brydon would have been better for me for the Anton doppelganger jokes. And there's no comedian signed up yet. Alison Steadman iirc said she'd never do it. Guy that played Mick did the Xmas one.

I am not feeling the cast this year at all.

you’re not alone

Brydon would never do it he doesn’t need it he’s got WILTY, The Floor and Destination X @SequinsandSolerosInTheSummertime

Thats the problem for the casting team -the eager to do it will be the young up and coming or the niche/on line famous who want to develop a main stream profile, or the a bit 'past it' fame wise trying to revive their profile. Those in the sweet spot of current fame have plenty of other opportunities so would only look at Strictly if they are a fan, really want to learn to dance or their kids are into it.

Well, if the rumour mill does turn out to be true, and the actress is the "older contestant" signing, can I lay bets on them forcing her to dance to
How do you like your eggs in the morning? Complete with frying pan prop.
We haven't had that since Dave Myers and Karen's AS I don't think and they usually recycle a couple of songs each show. 😂😉🍳

They could always of course "use the theme tune, dance the theme tune." Stephen Fretwell's Run is lovely albeit slow. Otherwise it'll be the usual Tom Jones/Shirley Bassey laziness. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

She has recently been in Death Valley with Timothy spalls, i like her i think she is mid 60s so.will be the "senior dancer"

If it’s true about that actor I think she could be quite an elegant dancer. A bit older than Debbie and Annabel were in their seasons, but a similar vibe maybe.

That said, I thought that the lovely Judy Murray would be elegant and she was a bit heavy-footed! 😆 .

I was so surprised by both Judy Murray and the cyclist (forgot her name), they just seemed to forget that they are both incredibly fit and strong women somehow.

Is Gwen Stacey’s Mom then?! Nice song 😂.

I think I’m so underwhelmed because the announcements have been irregular and all over the place. There’s nothing to get excited for, no looking forward to 10am tomorrow morning or whatever.

Plus the tik tok side of things just isn’t going to work. The core UK audience is much older than that I think.

I’d prefer back to basics.

Whenever I see these threads talking about what’s wrong and how it can be improved it’s always the same stuff people don’t like, so why the people in charge don’t read and reflect is beyond me 🤷‍♀️.

Victoria Pendleton with Brendan. Nerves were absolutely shot.

@NoCommentingFromNowOn

Yep. The complaints are consistent and yet nothing changes.