Wot? No strictly thread?

I just came on to start the exact same thread....

Is it wrong I'm excited already (aside from a few personal gripes about changes to the show format that I will keep to myself until I've seen in action)?

Omg, I'm ridiculously excited! Yes, I know I need to get a life ?

That's a pretty good line up and people I've actually heard of for the most part! It starts on a Friday though, that's different isn't it?

Ah-ha - found an easily copy&pastable list:

Ali Bastian – actress and star of police drama The Bill, who will be dancing with Brian Fortuna

Lynda Bellingham – actress and TV presenter, who will be dancing withDarren Bennett

Natalie Cassidy – actress and former EastEnders star, who will be dancing with Vincent Simone

Martina Hingis – former professional tennis player and women's world No. 1, who will be dancing with Matthew Cutler

Jade Johnson – long jumper and Olympic athlete, who will be dancing with Ian Waite

Zoe Lucker – actress and former star of Footballers' Wives, who will be dancing with James Jordan

Laila Rouass – actress and former star of Footballers' Wives, who will be dancing with Anton Du Beke

Jo Wood – model and businesswoman, who will be dancing withBrendan Cole

Joe Calzaghe – Britain's only undefeated boxing world champion, who will be dancing with Kristina Rihanoff

Richard Dunwoody – horse-racing legend who will be dancing with Lilia Kopylova

Ricky Groves – actor and EastEnders star, who will be dancing with Erin Boag

Chris Hollins – BBC Breakfast TV's sports presenter, who will be dancing with Ola Jordan

Craig Kelly – actor and Coronation Street star, who will be dancing withFlavia Cacace

Phil Tufnell – former cricketer and TV presenter, who will be dancing with Katya Virshilas

Ricky Whittle – actor and Hollyoaks star, who will be dancing withNatalie Lowe

Rav Wilding – TV presenter, who will be dancing with Aliona Vilani

OOh interesting. Can't wait to se Calzaghe in the tight trousers. He'll be very competitive, as will Hingis. I reckon Jade Johnson with Ian Waite could be one to watch as well.

Which female dancer has gone, other than Camilla & Karen Hardy? There's 3 new female dancers this year.

The only person I've vaguely heard of is Martina Hingis. Not the foggiest clue who all the others are.

Plus with Alesha replacing Arlene and Bruce still presenting (I sometimes turn off the sound when he's on), I might give it a miss this time ☹️

Got it - the the kiwi dancer, Hayley, who was new last year, isn't back this year.

I think "Tuffers" is going to be the class clown... should be hilarious when he gets on ITT with Winkles.

I've not heard of quite a few of them.

I doubt Brendan's very happy.

I think Ricky Groves with Erin might surprise us and I think Craig Kelly and Flavia will do well. And the female sports stars will probably do well, Martina Hingis and Matthew Cutler and Jade Johnson and Ian Waite.

Again, it looks like Anton's not going to win it.

Ricky Whittle ?

Rav ??

Go Tuffers !

I've no idea who Laila ruouss is (and definitely can't spell her name ?), so have no idea if she is likely to be good or not.

I'm looking forward to seeing Rav Wilding in some of the latin costumes ?

There's a few changes with the Pro's, I love Karen and Camilla where have they gone?

I'm reluctant to watch but I know I will ?

I'd like to try and get tickets this year to see the show this year.

having never seen footballers' wives that doesn't help a lot!

I've never seen FW either but I recognise her from somewhere.... Could she have been in Hollyoaks yonks ago? the only one I don't recognise is the boy from hollyoaks. the others are familiar. I'm pretty sure Anton won't be complaining

I hope Ian does well this year - he's certainly got a chance.

Does anyone know why Camilla isn't in it this year? I know Karen got ditched as part of the "older" females. But Camilla wasn't that old was she? I didn't particularly like her (puppet routine anyone?) but she was a good dancer.

Camilla decided to leave after winning last year, it was announced not long after that. I seem to recall she thought 6 series was enough.

Whitty - I thought Camilla & Tom's puppet routine was fantastic - I think that's what won them the series. Much more entertaining, clever & witty than Rachel & Vincent's series of lifts. And it contained a lot more dancing & choreography.

Wordsworth Camilla announced she was leaving at the end of last series as she wanted to leave on a high after sh'd won - I think she was right although I really liked her.

Hollyoaks not helpful either ?

Nope, never watched that either ? I'm useless!