Strictly 2025

[sheepdog]

@Cleoriff @RunrigForever 

And how time flies! Time for the annual reveal of this years Strictly cast of celebs. Oh who am I kidding, let's just pick the anonymity out of the dustbin that is the BBC budget for a flagship show. So before the exciting questions of "Who is this" and "Que?" followed by "Weren't they on Eastenders a decade ago?" and the inevitable "Guess who's needs a career boost", we must mention the new and exciting changes.

First, in a very thoughtful and provoking group session in the BBC canteen, same old judges line-up and we'll get more of I, Claudia propped up by Tess Daley emerging from her yearly hibernation box who may sport another subtle cosmetic procedure. DAO is likely to return as Oasis are still on tour. 

Though in rather more salacious news, there is a drug investigation by the BBC into two "Strictly stars". Which was submitted in March but hey, a new series of Strictly needs all exposure as possible so was announced a few days ago. Must disengage cynical mode....and two new dancers to join Neil Jones as backing dancers: Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon. Usual pro-dancers and yet we still have Katya Jones? 

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

First up, because the BBC really need Gladiators to be successful and everyone will be copy & pasting his name cos I ain't typing it. Former athlete and er, current Gladiator. Could do reasonably well but may find himself in the dance-off mid-series because someone has to.

Alex Kingston

Various roles over the years and this years older woman contestant so far. Could be fun or could be not. 

Dani Dyer

Not Danny Dyer and just to remind you who she is, the BBC has kindly put up a photo with Danny Dyer. Famous for being Danny Dyer's daughter and being on Love Island but mainly being Danny Dyer's daughter as seen in the photo. Dubious EE link but we await to see if Danny Dyer will be announced as a contestant to remind everyone who the daughter of Danny Dyer is.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Legend. And my favourite so far to bring the entertainment. Possibly some decent footwork coming from a footballer but we'll see. Probably won't help him find a new club to manage though.

[RunrigForever]

I understand that the BBC is to pull out of voting by phone ....... alienating viewers who choose not to go electronic ....... I'm bored already = some male contestant has already 'thrown a wobbly' by 'exiting stage left' in an aggressive fashion ....... No surprises there ?

[Cleoriff]

@RunrigForever 

Ive only heard that Kristian Nairn pulled out a few weeks ago due to 'medical reasons'

He's already been replaced by an actor from Emmerdale. 

The contestant Thomas Skinner left a press event early yesterday. He appeared in the Apprentice

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99gx5pkn1mo 

[Cleoriff]

SCD has just won their category on the National Televison Awards

Very strange that neither Tess or Claudia were there. Nor the judges. 

Just some of the contestants from last year. 

Weird!!

[pgn]

Damage limitation?

[Cleoriff]

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@pgn wrote:

Damage limitation?

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No idea @pgn but as they win the award in this category every year it just seems very strange that no-one from the presenting or judging side were there. 🤔

[Anonymous]

A lot of people boycott the BBC in general for being too "Woke" (whatever the flip that means?) remember the fury in 2023 when they changed Doctor Who to a female Doctor? And then even worse according to some people, they had the Doctor played by a black bloke?

[jonsie]

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@Anonymous wrote:

A lot of people boycott the BBC in general for being too "Woke" (whatever the flip that means?) remember the fury in 2023 when they changed Doctor Who to a female Doctor? And then even worse according to some people, they had the Doctor played by a black bloke?

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It's the world we live in now

There will always be intolerant ignorant people.....

[sheepdog]

Doctor Who killed itself by dreadful storylines during the Peter Capaldi era which was then compounded with Jodie Whittaker redefining Who by forcing social justice into every episode. I stopped watching after a couple of episodes because they were dreadful let alone the annoying characterisation from JW as a Doctor.

Then we have the introduction of Ncuti Gatwa coupled with RT Davies' utterly appalling stories forcing "diversity and inclusivity" into everything about Doctor Who that wasn't needed. Actually most of his stuff is very narrow in range and just about the same thing over and over. And to top it all, Ncuti Gatwa is atrocious in the role. 

Having seen the Christmas special without forewarning i.e. it was safer not to go near the kitchen on Christmas day, it was easy to see why the Doctor Who is going downhill at 90 degrees if they continue produce that rubbish. Slating the fans from both the writer and the actors for not being onboard by torching the past will only end up in cancellation. There's far better sci-fi out there these days that make Doctor Who an irrelevance and that's a shame given its popularity over the years that the BBC took it down the wrong path. 

And Star Trek (Nu Trek) is the same but there is a thread where I ranted on about STD a few years back on how bad it was and is. 

Anyway, the pre-recorded opening show of Strictly 2025 is on Saturday at 640pm for nearly 2 hours of what can only be described as filler material! If you want to, you can "meet the cast" over on the youtube channel where they've been posting 1 min videos of each one every day over the last 2 weeks for some reason. 

[Cleoriff]

Thanks for the info re SCD @sheepdog 

Ive never been interested in Dr Who or Star Trek so can't comment. 

I'll record SCD and watch when I can as I'm out tomorrow until 8pm. 

[Cleoriff]

@sheepdog @RunrigForever 

So tonight was the opening show. 

A load of filler whilst we watched the contestants matched with their partners.

 A quick run through of who's partnered with who.....

Chris Robshaw and Nadiya

La Voix and Aljaz

Dani Dyer and Nikita

Lewis Cope and Katya

Ross King and Jowita

Karen Carney and Carlos

Vicky Pattison and Kai

Alex Kingston and Johannes

Ellie Goldstein and Vito

Balvindar Sapar and Julian Caillon (New Professional) 

Harry (Nitro) and Karen

Stefan Dennis and Dianne

Thomas Skinner and Amy

George Clark and Alexis Warr (new professional) 

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren. 

We also had a performance from Jessie J (not keen on her!)

Chris McCausland and Dianne (last years winners) did a waltz to You'll Never Walk Alone. It was lovely to see this again.

Then the class of 2025 did a group dance. Much improvement needed 😂

Nothing much to say about the judges or presenters.

The show starts next week with no eliminations