Who does everyone think will get Russell Grant..... I think poor Ola! ALthough that wuldnt be fair after last year!

I'm prepared for the worst and think it will be Flavia....I'm still hoping though they will reveal Gino D'Acampo zipped inside a Russell Grant fat suit for her!

Ola...

I really dnt want Ola or Flavia to have him! Surely they cant give him to Ola after last year?!! Praying!!!!

My money's on Ola or Flavia - with the other one getting Harry.

Craig?

My evil side wants to see him paired with Natalie.

Same!!! Or Aliona!!! Jst NOT poor Ola or Flavia! Think its unfair that them being the smallest they have to have the smallest ones!!

Surely it will be Flavia not Ola after last year.

Keep the eye on the star signs for any predictions.

Anton

Aliona. She destroyed Matt last year, they went into the finals DESPITE of her messing up everything. Russell and her should exit the show PRONTO.

He's got a lot of weight behind him. I am amazed they have been able to drag him from his chair in Wales.

Maybe Katya will get him?? or is she too tall?

I'm hoping Aliona

I have an awful feeling it will be Flavia

Why do you all assume he is the short straw? He apparently lost 10 stone and plays sport, so he is assumedly in reasonable to good physical condition. Being the male, no-one has to lift him, so that's not an issue.

About this time last year lots of people thought that the Destinys Child popstar was a good contender for the final; the woman had 2 left feet. This time last year, some people also assumed that the 'un-svelte' and 'old granny' Pamela wouldn't get past week 3.

I'll reserve my judgement until I see them dance... just saying

I think that would be a nightmare pairing.Flavia clearly does not like having the joke celeb who gets through on sympathy votes,she couldn't wait to get rid of Craig Kelly for that very reason.I think Katya or Kristina would be much better personality wise as I think Russell is clearly going to be the joke celeb. Kristina worked wonders with John Sergeant despite him being an awful dancer and had the patience of a saint....although I do think Kristina deserves better this year.

hear hear!

He's little isn't he? It's got to be Flavia, Ola got the comedy short guy (Paul Daniels) last year.

... gah - you beat me to it

<Applause!>

Ola or Flavia, but I hope it's Aliona!

It's as much as to do with his height - he is much shorter than all the other guys - so that limits which pro with which he will be paired.

Despite his weight (I think he has lost a lot of weight, but not 10 stone), he could still be graceful - but he's never going to be a contender.

Short people can dance, just ask any leprechaun.

Seriously though, height isn't a barrier to dancing of any genre I know of, it's more of an aesthetic thing. It's the old clichéd 'tall people for ballroom, short people for latin', but I've seen far to many amazing dances and dancers from all sides that oppose this 'rule'. But I agree, his height will determine who he will be paired with.

I watched some of the videos on the BBC website and I think I remember him saying he lost 10 stone and plays football, amongst other sports. So I assume he has good physical stamina as well as being in at least reasonable cardio health. I've seen many 'large' dancers who are truly amazing.

I really don't know if he is going to be a contender or not – depends on whether he can actually dance, but some of the reasons given/implied in this thread to not take him seriously are a little naïve and mean spirited. He's most likely not going to be taken seriously because of all the daft astrological references and 'jokes' that are probably going to be made in the show.

I know it's common to make considerable judgements about people based on their appearance, but this just stems from little more than some dodgy, preconceived stereotypes. Just saying, don't discount him just because he's a short, camp, fat guy, just wait and see if he shows any flicker of being a good dancer.

Nah, I get the impression that they really want Flavia to (at least one year) win this, so she will get a decent/competent partner. Poor Erin will end up with the duffer that is Russell Grant.