Aliona is 5ft5, but it makes absolutely no sense to give her someone who's practically identical in height when there are several shorter female pros, so in that sense she is too tall. She might be due a dud, and Rory might be a mismatch personality-wise (doesn't that add to the fun for the viewer though?) but the heights are impossible to ignore. I think they regularly get personality pairings wrong - Gavin & Katya, Paul & Ola, Laila & Anton....so it would be nosurprise to me if Rory and Aliona are paired together.

I like Flavia, so I really don't want her to have a dud, but you can't talk about her being due a contender without considering the fact that Kristina and Ola have never had one - Ola may have won the show, but no-one would have said that Chris was a 'contender' when the line-up was released! And Kristina's due a good chance more than anyone!

Flavia had Matt, and arguably Jimi should have got further and been better than he was - on paper out of last year's fairly dismal line-up he was a 'contender', so luck doesn't come into it sa we're just talking about people who are considered 'contenders', doesn't matter where they actually ended up. So unfortunately I think Flavia's far from the top of the queue for getting a contender, in fact I'd put her 3rd/4th (probably even behind Katya).


All of this is a problem only because of Russell Grant's height - the one person who's really due a dud (much as I like her), is Natalie, but she's too tall!

Really like Kristina and hope she does get a good partner, but by the logic of who was seen as a contender when line-ups were released, whilst Chris was favourite to be out first, Joe C was favourite to win, if I remember rightly, so I don't see why Kristina is most due a good chance? That said I hope she gets one!

Honestly, I'd like to ask a question. If you add Robbie and Iwan, do you definitely think that this is the leaked cast list? I mean I can surmise that some of them are going to take part, but do you think this represents our 7 women? Can there be any surprises like Chemmy Alcott?

Also, would a member of a top Pop Group like McFly be able to leave the band to take part in a seasonal reality show for a few months while still popular? One Strictly Special is one thing, but for three months? If it was someone from a top American music group, they wouldn't have time for Dancing With the Stars. All I've really seen McFly in is that movie with Lindsay Lohan, which was a bit odd.

Like I've said in a previous thread, I think that Dancing With the Stars does scrape the barrel and goes for the shock value and the reality stars, but Strictly even if they have the odd choice they do go for a respectable recognizable line-up.

I can't say I know much (anything ) about McFly or how busy they are, but their Wiki page says they announced a tour for April next year so perhaps there is a window just now

I thought Russell is meant to be the one of the 'joke' contestants so it doesn't really matter much about height - think Widdy and Anton though hopefully he'll be out much sooner than them two.

I do agree that Kristina most deserves a contender even though she's not my favourite pro. I know some will disagree with me and I am preparing myself for the worst that Flavia will get Russell but I still think it'll be unfair!

IMO she deserves a contender more than Katya and Ola - they've recently done well although their partners weren't naturals or contenders they still managed to progress because of their partners' popularity. Flavia hasn't done well since Matt which was four years ago now - it's time to see some different pros progress through the contest.

Topaz I sympathise - but Audley and Erin - that has got to be a bad joke - Audley is 6ft 5 Erin is 5ft 6. She had that problem with Schmeichel - I can't believe the PTB would go for two guys way over 6ft

Heh Heh I remember her Samba with Schmeichel when he forgot the steps He really wasn't good was he though did get into the spirit of things and Erin seemed to enjoy training with him.

Not only is Audley very tall but he's also physically very burly so he would overpower the slender Erin if she got him. I think Natalie is the only pro that looks right with very tall, muscular guys.

I'm not sure that I agree with that. I think that both Ola (in particular) and Katya are quite assertive and do well in the pressurised environment of Strictly. They are extremely good at making the best of whatever they get. (Lilia was was similar). Flavia is a great dancer and has a lovely personality, but I think she is probably a bit too nice.

I don't think you can just look at how far people have progressed in the competition and say people deserve good partners. Jimi ticked the boxes for a good partner.
Also age and background are misleading. Brendan was over the moon when he got Michelle last year and look what happened there, whereas Pamela Stephenson didn't look a particularly good draw for James, but they did well.
But I do agree that getting Russell would be unfortunate for anyone!

Lulu looks to be a good draw for the show although I do wish we could have some over 50 women who are a bit more natural in appearance. My favourite from the (speculative) line up is Jason although Harry looks promising and I have my suspicions that Nancy might actually be quite good.

That why I think Audley is not doing it - as Dan Lobb is 6ft 6 and almost defo for Natalie

Flavia is a sweet personality but she can be quite assertive when she wants maybe not as strict as a few of the other pros. She was with Jimi last year - he mentioned it himself unfortunately they ran into bad luck. She worked wonders with Matt, people presume he was a natural and he was to a certain extent but he started of shakily and he did have to overcome massive nerves and stage fright problems which Flavia helped him with. I suppose like other Flavia fans I am preparing myself for the worst that way I won't be disappointed, but still I'll hope she'll get someone good.

From the male names mentioned I think it'll be fair to presume that both Harry and Jason will be good and the pros that get them will be very lucky!

RealNatalieLowe Natalie Lowe
So Excited about tomorrow, looking forward to finally meeting the new strictly line up,,,, Yay Anticipation is killing me XXX night all
Iwan probably not at first rehearsal then.......hmmmm...

Ooops



If you remember the post where I asserted that Robbie Savage was definitely not taking part......erm.......




Turns out I was wrong!

Ohhhh I called Dan Lobb weeks ago - feeling quite pleased with myself