Strictly Come Dancing 2015

I have never been able to understand the attractions of Daniel O'Donnell! Prefer something more rugged - even Peter André.

Helen George (Trixie) now confirmed.

It sounds like a good line up. I particularly like Carol Kirkwood (she always looks so elegant and seems so natural), Peter Andre, Gok Wan and Trixie from Call the Midwife (I was quite amused and charmed to hear when she was interviewed that that rather old-fashioned posh voice with clipped consonants is actually her own).

The Milonga (which I'd never heard of) was, I thought, very impressive, though I think the slow Tango is much more sensual. I'd love to learn the Tango but fear it would not look very sensual - more along the lines of comical.

I'd like to see Chris Tarrant on it - I think he's still quite an attractive man - and he always makes me laugh. I remember when he DJ'd on Capital Radio. It was the Queen's Mother's birthday and he said that he, Kara Noble and the gang ought to go round to the Palace (or wherever she lived) and give her the bumps. Listeners actually rang up and said he was being disrespectful and ridiculous - she was far too old and frail. IT's A JOKE!! he reassured them in a loud voice - hilarious.. Sorry, I digress again.

My friends DD will be sooo excited that Helen George is in. She used to do ballroom herself and is a big fan of CTM

Unless I'm mistaken, isn't Chris Tarrant recovering from a stroke?

Oh no, you're right, I've just googled it. They say it was a "mini stroke" but it has affected his speech and movement so I'm not quite sure whether describing it as "mini" is strictly accurate. He's only 67 - which sounds quite young to me (now).

I haven't seen anywhere that Gok Wan is in the line-up

Really looking forward to Strictly now, went off it for a while, but now miss the glitter and drama and sheer camp fun if it all.

Of it all!

Iwan Thomas and Kirsty Gallacher complete the line up. They are paired with their professional on 5th September.

No Gok, that was a rumour I heard, as was Helen so half true!

Complete lineup -

Ainsley Harriott (Television chef, 58)
Carol Kirkwood (Weather presenter, 53)
Daniel O’Donnell (Irish singer-songwriter, 53)
Jeremy Vine (Broadcaster and journalist, 50)
Katie Derham (Former newsreader and presenter, 45)
Peter Andre (Singer and television personality, 42)
Iwan Thomas (Former Olympic sprinter, 41)
Kellie Bright (EastEnders actress, 39)
Kirsty Gallacher (Sports presenter, 39)
Anita Rani (Radio and television presenter, 37)
Jamelia (Singer and Loose Women panellist, 34)
Helen George (Call the Midwife actress, 31)
Anthony Ogogo (Olympic boxer, 26)
Jay McGuiness (The Wanted singer, 25)
Georgia May Foote (Former Coronation Street actress, 24)

Pretty good I think!

I have only heard of 8. Still, I am sure that I will enjoy the new series although I find the first few weeks overlong until there has been some weeding out.

The judges, not Len a good man, who put me off watching the programme. They are so repetitious, not at all funny and pathetic to watch. The remote goes on mute. I do love the beautiful dresses though. ��

@Eloethan - the Milonga is, I understand, something of an ancestor if the Tango. It's also the place where the Milonga is danced...

See it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4G03HpzArc

Forget about the celebrities. What about Gleb? [phwoar emoticon]

Think it was The Mirror that announced all the pairings this morning. It didn't bother me but I bet a few people were annoyed

It was on line early today.

I thought that Carol Kirkwood looked so out of place with that ghastly dress she had been given.

I read earlier in the week that Carol was hoping she wouldn't have to reveal too much leg - but I agree, that dress didn't do her any favours.

At least Anton has been given Katie Dereham who must be a change from the no-hopers he usually gets.

That's if she can dance of course.

Carol Kirkwood has a lovely figure. I agree about the horrible frumpy dress.

I quite like Jay McGuiness

I recorded it and then fast forwarded through all the inane chat (IMO) and just watched the dancing. To be honest I was also reading the paper, I suspect the days of me watching SCD every week have passed.

I just love Claudia Winkleman as a presenter of Strictly!

I think I'm with you nankate. I was bored rigid with it last night. I think I could get really worked up about Katy Derehams flouncing about- she annoyed the hell out of me on Maestro. I think we will just wiz through or possibly not watch it at all. Who is the curly headed bambino - he looks cute though a bit shy which is endearing?