Strictly 2026 : THE LAUNCH SHOW 19.25hrs How will our new presenters fare ? NO SPOILERS

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

A shiny new thread for a shiny new series. Please bring your dancing shoes over here.

Not sure whether I am doing weekly threads or not yet. Yet to decide, but I’m doing one for the first episode anyway.

The preshow chat thread has been quiet and I’m wondering if lots of people aren’t watching due to the departure of Tess and Claude. I have my reservations about the new presenting team but I’m willing to give them a chance.

KEEP DANCING 💃

Agree with this. I work with young people and they say they want to be an influencer or content creator not realising how much work there is. Even creating content on your off days. Living/ breathing it. And yes the successful ones are few and far between and make it look easy. Like the best at any job.

I think the widespread use of the terminology is relatively recent but most of skills are aligned to those creating longer form content for TV or film including the ability to run a business and sell its services (especially this last for the solo creators).

Its the business side which sinks many of the more promising hobbyist creators - that transition from hobby to business to income generation is very hard to bridge and its .insecure as consumer taste and fashions change rapidly. The smarter creators such as the early vloggers and Twitchers diversified the content and their business interests early rather than splashing the cash on the lifestyle. Rather like sports stars who have the sense to build parallel skills for the post competition decades instead of blowing it all on high living.

They need spares though, for group routines and to step in, in the case of injury. Also I'd imagine the new ones quite like just being a part of the whole shebang without having a celebrity to train, to start with.

I didn’t get that impression

i mean you could criticise Dani Dyer,
contestant on love island,
nepo baby

And he had a good career before as air traffic controller. He took a massive risk leaving that at 7000 followers. It’s a bit mad to me and I could never have made such a decision. I’m v risk averse.

I don’t even know who he is but fair play to him.

I tend to zone out of the first few episodes that is why i can never remember people's names !

That's not new, though. They need dancers for the group numbers. Neil, Lauren, Luba, and Nancy all started out as part of the Strictly Troupe before being given a partner. Same with Jowita. She joined the pro cast in 2021 but didn't get a partner until 2022 (Hamza).

Those who were criticising Josh's arms - they were leaning on a barrier, he wasn't just flailing around

They look like they are having the best time 😀

I guess I was a content creator then - website content (copywriting, images, supporting documents etc) 😁

If originating the ideas and content then yes - especially if building the site as well. Most of the big creators build teams around them but when small they need to do all their own business and technical work as there is no money to pay for help. And they need their own kit which doesn't come cheap, especially for the streamers.

There are plenty of "grey" content creators - you haven't missed the boat 😁

I quite liked Josh - Emma is grand… solid choice for a presenter she is. Not sure on Jojo… yet….

Amy should have been replaced to be fair

I think there were a few years when they split them across two shows but it was some time ago.

I always thought that it would be Zoe and Rylan
However, I was happy with the new three tbh
Unlike others, I was impressed by Johannes particularly when he was in the training room
His story is like a ‘rags to riches story ‘
A young gay black man from South Africa who comes to the UK and becomes a professional dancer on one of the biggest shows . .He then gets to be a presenter on that self same show . That is the stuff of fairytales
The comedian chap will get better when he relaxes .
I think it will be a great season

Totally agree
I enjoyed it .

I also like Josh. When things settle down I think his humour will be an advantage to strictly. Right now the programme is loud and theatrical.

Yes they used to do it in two halves then have a vote off week 3, j can't remember how long it lasted though.

I like Josh I think he’ll do well , I think Johannes should have stayed as a dancer he’s superb dancing 🕺

I don’t mind Emma.
My pick would have been Jonathan Ross or Zoe Ball.

My fave is Lawrence !

His face was fake tanned but not his chest !!😂

It Takes Two is back on Monday 28th (not tomorrow) at 6.30pm.

I would honestly have stopped watching if they had given it to Jonathan Ross. I don’t think he was ever in the running anyway!