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.

[sheepdog]

Joined in just before the showdances and I can't be bothered skipping through the filler material on iplayer when they've probably shown a lot of improvement. 

Tess in a glam dress worthy of a final show. Obviously advertising for modelling jobs but you know she'll be selling tupperware on QVC this time next year. Claudia in office manager day jacket doubling as Christmas party at 5pm outfit. Claudettes were hilarious in the voting is open part. 

Amber: oh thats is a show dance full of lifts and trick. Probably spent a bit too much time on those than the bits inbetween but oh, loved it. Jive did show signs of tiring late on but being that frenetic, still excellent. Did notice she was more relaxed and enjoyed it all.

George: Hmmm, a bit of a medley of moves and a few lifts. Not bad at all. I'd say a fitting end to a pure novice with the Paso. 

Karen: Er, wasn't this the CC and last weeks dance again? Kind of missing the lifts that the other 2 did though understand it wasn't going to be as involved. But was it really a show dance? And wasn't the jive another variation on the CC and ....

We were treated to a reminder of all those who deservedly went early and a reminder of why on earth the judges kept on saving Balvinder. Then we got Balvinder to remind us why they were still so wrong. Would have been an outstanding final with Amber, Lewis and Harry's showdances I think. 

I quite enjoyed the Gym-bros known as Five. Thankfully ended on their best song. I leave the discussion on Noel's eyebrows for another thread 😂

Karen won. Lewis should have. Stupid voting system. 

Anyway, we need to talk replacement judges now. 

[Cleoriff]

Of all the show dances, I preferred the one by George. It was well thought out, showing his 'journey' Including some great lifts. Lifts he would never attempted at the start of the series. 

I thought it a bit pathetic when the judges told Amber she would be appearing on Broadway and the West End. Seem to have forgotten that Amber has appeared in five musicals in the West End already.

It just shows that the judges marks count for nothing.

Yet again Amber was at the top of the leaderboard, yet again the public didn't give a damn. 

As for Lewis, I was so damn sad that he wasn't in the final. His short slot when they were all dancing showed his excellence. Yes acrobatics, excellent lifts and holding the back of Katya's hair whilst pushing her down to the 'plank' shape. We were robbed by his absence in the final. 

So we now wait to see who the new presenters are.

(Although we will see Tess and Claudia again on the pre-recorded Christmas show)

Agree @sheepdog ...we need new judges, (Although Craig can stay. His marking and comments are generally always fair)

[jonsie]

I'm not much of a judge where dancing is concerned

But I did want Karen to win simply because she was one of the only 'celebrities' that I knew by name and because her feet are probably more synchronised at football 😁

So Karen won....job done!

[Cleoriff]

I was happy for Karen @jonsie  but she did mess up her showdance. Limited synchronisation there.

However, her Argentine Tango (To the Peaky Blinders theme tune) was one of the best I've ever seen. 

Particularly as originally, it was danced by two men. So the outfits were really in character. 

[RunrigForever]

I would have liked Amber to have won out of the three finalists. However, Lewis was my favourite and it is a darn shame he wasn't the one to be in the final & to lift the trophy. I shall be watching the Christmas Day show. Rylan Clark and Rob rinder sound a good pair for new presenters.

[Cleoriff]

Yes @RunrigForever 

The problem was, Lewis and Amber were in the dance off (after the public had a brain wobble and decided to keep Balvinder in!!). As the judges had given Amber 40 for her dance and Lewis only 37, it was obvious who they were going to save.

Biggest SCD farce of all time that the best dancers were voted off.  Yes... I'm still fuming...😂