Just asking - people seem to be admiring or hating the contestants at the moment, and they haven't, err, done any dancing yet.

Am I the only one waiting to see what they do?

Er - nope

OMG! How very dare you? Are you suggesting that this is a dancing competition and we have to vote on their dance ability! When did that happen? Why didn't I get the memo?

You mean I can't vote for Harry cos he gets his chest out? What am I gonna do? Or Russell? Because his ability to dance is equivalent to Nancy's ability to keep her legs closed? I'm devastated!

No, I don't either. I'm looking forward to certain ones but that's all.

I can't muster the energy to have any strong feelings about any contestant, at the start of any series.
This can change to mildly irritated by some and slightly interested in the progress of others, towards the end of the series.

The show is designed to present a varied cast of contestants. The inclusion of some which may bring a reaction from some viewers of, FFS! is quite deliberate.

Controversy, is a required element as far as the producers are concerned.
The object of the series is not to produce a "worthy winner," but to beat X-factor in the ratings. So we'll get the "popular plank" and the "comedy act" progressing at the expense of more able competitors, due somewhat to the bloody mindedness of some of the viewers and gaining media coverage which will have the BBC "suits" rubbing their hands with glee.
This programme peaks in the "pantomime season" which seems appropriate.
It's all good fun and shouldn't be taken seriously.

Which one is Harry again?

The one with his chest out.

Oh you two are hilarious! I'm not listening, I'm watching old videos of Austin and Gavin with their chests out!

Although, to be fair, it seems like it's the pros with their chests out this year! James, ffs, put a shirt on or get a decent spray tan.

I have the same trouble every year about not ever having heard of most of the contestants. I watch very little TV (Holly who?), rarely listen to pop music (some boyband person?), loathe football (Robbie somebody?) and avoid the gossip mags (Nancy thingummy?). It's a pretty pathetic thing to admit that the most famous (for me) are Edwina Currie, Lulu and Jason Donovan.

So I've got little choice other than to wait and, erm, judge them on their dancing. Last year I'd never heard of Kara Tointon, for example, but she became a firm favourite of mine as her dancing got better.

I actually think you're in the majority, not the minority, in not having a strong opinion about the contestants. People are just letting off steam...

Yep, that's pretty much where I'm at also. Oh, and Russell Grant.

Everyone else, well I'm sure I'll get to know their stories in due course.

Digressing slightly...

Each to their own, but the antics and the flashing teeth of this self-obssessed couple on the old "Come Dancing" programme always had me in stitches.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvmGURvK4Zs

This is the first year ever in the history of Strictly that there isnt someone that I just cannont stand under any circumstances because of previous things they have done, said or programmes they have been on, so its a refreshing change for me.....ofcourse there are some that I am a bit 'blah' about and I am pretty sure I will get tired of Chelsee very quickly but at the moment they are all on a level dance floor so to speak with all to play for.

I've learned over the years that some I think I won't like I end up loving and others who I look forward to end up disappointing so best to start off with a clean slate IMO!!

I could probably learn to dislike Russell Grant if I had the energy, but he'll be out by week 4 so what's the point?

Oooooh, I can see that coming back to bite you on the bum.

^^ This ^^ Couldn't have put it better myself


I just enjoy the show. I'd never heard of Mark Ramprakash before SCD - or Alesha Dixon either. Both were ones I wanted to win once I knew who they were, so I don't have too many preconceived ideas about the contestants. I look forward to Jason as I actually know who he is, Eggwina might try and make herself popular a la Widdy (not sure it will work) and Lulu might be annoying. She was trying to be American on the last show I saw her on (Eurovision I think??). Genuinely haven't hear of the rest of them apart from that woman who was in Stenders 400 years ago.

Same here, I have no idea who most of these people are, and the ones I have heard about I just don't have an opinion on.

Reading this thread I have learned a lot though, so at least one of contestants will get their chest out (we are talking about a male, aren't we). Otherwise we will have a firm scandal on our hands.

Going by some of the launch night outfit piccies - not necessarily just the men

I assume you are referring to



Well I'm for equal opportunity drooling.

to see them dance first because I - stupid twit that I am - actually care about the dancing.

I know, I know, it's all about the journey and dead grans and comfort zones and Botox, but I do like to see someone learn to dance.

However, I think Savage and Bremner should just sell their places on Ebay and get some good looking men in. It's Siberia and deep boredom so far (apart from Artem and Pasha) and the landscape is not pretty.

i always wait till ive seen them. I have favourites who i like but ill still always judge on their performance on the show. Last series my favourite was Pamela and I didnt even know who she was before the series started. I like to be unbiased

Heh, even after the dancing started, I often can't muster any strong feelings, let alone before!

Should I be worried about this emotional detachment of mine?

That man's teeth could light up a dark room!


Happens to me every year too - not sure it will this time though.


Apparently they cost £3000, but looking at the photos in general I think this will be The Year of the Boobs!

For me it was Gavin who I thought i'd hate but ended up liking and Jimi who I expected to like but was disapointed in.It doesn't stop me having a pre-series moan though... that's part of the fun for me

I'd like to see how they dance...

My favourite type would be someone who has a smidge of ability to start with, works hard, listens to their pro and gets better.
And doesn't twaddle on about journeys and dead grannies.