[katie_p]

The one is most like to see with a good celeb is Natalie. I've lost interest in being fair to the pros, I want to see the best choreographers and teachers get the best celebs! I really like the stuff Natalie comes up with.

[footygirl]

Originally Posted by Damahepa

I think it's a bit too difficult to predict the male celeb/female pro couples cos we don't know who the new lady is replacing Katya, height etc.

I don't think Chris Evans is all that bad- he seems a good laugh on the One Show/BBC R2. But anyone who winds "don't fight me, I know better than EVERYBODY else" Aliona up would get my Widdy vote for the sheer fun of watching the blue touch paper being lit :P

I think Erin, Ola and Flavia need to three goodens from the men! I think Michael Vaughn almost seems set for Erin unless someone similar signs up; Kristina, newby and Natalie with middlers, Aliona with the dud!

As for Male Pros/Female Celebs I disagree with Jupiter- James didn't really have dead ringers- I mean, Georgina was terrible; Gabby Cherie and Zoe were sent home in the dance off when the GBP put two good couples in the bottom two, so hardly his fault- and Pam and Alex weren't exactly gold dust, and James did fabulously well with them!

I'd like to see Brendan with a good one after his Rent-A-Pro legacy last year. Would be interesting to see Robin with a good one. Anton too! Vincent and Pasha middle of the roaders, Artem with the dud as is fair :L

I hope the PTB are reading this

[*Jupiter*]

Even if James went out against other good couples there seems to be somewhere missing a likeability factor in his other pairings. People complain about Alliona getting good dancers but at least with her it ended up that the good men ended up in the finale. Can't say that for James. And i will Ola as a person, but not Ola the cheographer, if they end. The starchaped cheographie ended up getting on my nerves.I think the jordans are both past their date. And i felt sorry for Alex last year the way she was tortured every week by James.
And i can't believe both stayed over Katya.

As much as Alliona don't need another ringer: It must not be Chris Evans for her. A littlebit of likeability can be in her duffer.

[footygirl]

Originally Posted by *Jupiter*

Even if James went out against other good couples there seems to be somewhere missing a likeability factor in his other pairings. People complain about Alliona getting good dancers but at least with her it ended up that the good men ended up in the finale. Can't say that for James. And i will Ola as a person, but not Ola the cheographer, if they end. The starchaped cheographie ended up getting on my nerves.I think the jordans are both past their date. And i felt sorry for Alex last year the way she was tortured every week by James.
And i can't believe both stayed over Katya.

As much as Alliona don't need another ringer: It must not be Chris Evans for her. A littlebit of likeability can be in her duffer.

It is possible the PTB may decide that there is potential for fireworks between her and Chris and pair her with him

[*Topaz*]

Originally Posted by *Jupiter*

As much as Alliona don't need another ringer: It must not be Chris Evans for her. A littlebit of likeability can be in her duffer.

Well that's a matter of opinion because I personally find Evans very likeable these days - and not so long ago in the 90's I couldn't stand him! Age and fatherhood has certainly mellowed him and he's not as brash and arrogant as he used to be........If it's true that he's taking part Aliona will be a very lucky lady again... if she gets him, plays her cards right and choreographs properly for him because I think he would be popular.

[*Jupiter*]

It would be possible, but i wouldn't be wishing that on alliona.

[*Topaz*]

Originally Posted by *Jupiter*

It would be possible, but i wouldn't be wishing that on alliona.

Other pros have had to put up with much worse! I'm sure Aliona or any pro would prefer a popular celeb they had a chance of staying in with much longer!

[dmolyneaux@virg]

Originally Posted by *Jupiter*

It would be possible, but i wouldn't be wishing that on alliona.

Who would u wish him on then ?

I think they would be a grt match , Chris would be hilarious

[dmolyneaux@virg]

Originally Posted by footygirl

OK the confirmations are coming through thick and fast now - so with 99% of the pros confimed - let's have some fun pairing them up

Confirmed celebs

Fern Britton 5ft 8.........................Artem
Nicky Byrne 5ft 9.........................Kristina
Chris Evans 6ft............................Aliona
Kelly Sotherton 5ft 11.......................Brendan
Michael Vaughan 6ft 2....................... Erin

Not gonna lie would love Kristina with Nicky Byrne , think she would come up with some fabulous routines

[Steve9214]

Originally Posted by *Topaz*

Well that's a matter of opinion because I personally find Evans very likeable these days - and not so long ago in the 90's I couldn't stand him! Age and fatherhood has certainly mellowed him and he's not as brash and arrogant as he used to be........If it's true that he's taking part Aliona will be a very lucky lady again... if she gets him, plays her cards right and choreographs properly for him because I think he would be popular.

Maybe his golf pro wife is enough of a celeb to take part - pair them with the Jordans - they seem to get the BBC staffers so they get a creditable place.

Evans is likely to do well form big fan base - plus intense coverage daily on the biggest rated radio show in the UK - guaratnteed hit X-factor in the ratings - they will want him in as long as possible - hence a Jordan - or maybe Natalie as he is very tall

[*Topaz*]

Originally Posted by Steve9214

Maybe his golf pro wife is enough of a celeb to take part - pair them with the Jordans - they seem to get the BBC staffers so they get a creditable place.

Evans is likely to do well form big fan base - plus intense coverage daily on the biggest rated radio show in the UK - guaratnteed hit X-factor in the ratings - they will want him in as long as possible - hence a Jordan - or maybe Natalie as he is very tall

Yeah I think Chris would be great with Ola - give Aliona the unpopular duffer then

I'm not sure about Chris's wife being able to take part - she's just had another child so will probably be wanting to concentrate on motherhood

[sunnymeg]

Kevin O'Sullivan on The Wright Stuff said Fern was.confirmed and Chris.was.a.possible.
Hope that helps. I rewound it on the Sky.box.to.double check

[*Topaz*]

Originally Posted by sunnymeg

Kevin O'Sullivan on The Wright Stuff said Fern was.confirmed and Chris.was.a.possible.
Hope that helps. I rewound it on the Sky.box.to.double check

Oh so Chris is still just a rumour then - thanks for that - it clears up the confusion

[soulmate61]

Originally Posted by *Topaz*

Well that's a matter of opinion because I personally find Evans very likeable these days - and not so long ago in the 90's I couldn't stand him! Age and fatherhood has certainly mellowed him and he's not as brash and arrogant as he used to be........If it's true that he's taking part Aliona will be a very lucky lady again... if she gets him, plays her cards right and choreographs properly for him because I think he would be popular.

Not that I have watched Chris Evans much these days except by chance on The One Show. No doubt he has mellowed, but this quick-witted gent habitually seizes the initiative in any situation rather than tamely following the leader. This is the part which will rile Aliona.

Chris's tongue will flow like quicksilver, but Aliona will reply from her limited but firm vocabulary of short anglo-saxon words, not excluding words which start with F.

[footygirl]

Originally Posted by soulmate61

Not that I have watched Chris Evans much these days except by chance on The One Show. No doubt he has mellowed, but this quick-witted gent habitually seizes the initiative in any situation rather than tamely following the leader. This is the part which will rile Aliona.

Chris's tongue will flow like quicksilver, but Aliona will reply from her limited but firm vocabulary of short anglo-saxon words, not excluding words which start with F.

so the words starting with F would be

Fun
Fab
Fantastic

[CloneClown]

Not sure how I feel about Fern - when she was on This Morning I would have been thrilled to have her signed up because of her bubbly personality on the show. However, she has become overbearing and desperate since leaving which makes me worry that she will be unbearable to watch which would be a shame.

I agree that Artem should get her. I don't think she will be a complete duffer and may have a strong following to keep her in till at least half way. Aliona deserves a complete duffer - the worst of the crop this year - want her out early this year.

[rosco2010]

I dreamt earlier that I achieved sudden fame for some reason and was asked to be a contestant. Watch this space.

[Damahepa]

Originally Posted by CloneClown

Not sure how I feel about Fern - when she was on This Morning I would have been thrilled to have her signed up because of her bubbly personality on the show. However, she has become overbearing and desperate since leaving which makes me worry that she will be unbearable to watch which would be a shame.

I agree that Artem should get her. I don't think she will be a complete duffer and may have a strong following to keep her in till at least half way. Aliona deserves a complete duffer - the worst of the crop this year - want her out early this year.

BIB- Fearne looked quite good with Matt in the Xmas special doing a Jive- a notoriously difficult dance. I reckon she'd be a bit too good for Artem who is due a duffer. I reckon (shock horror) Anton? Maybe Vincent? Not a real contender but could get them middle of the road.

Aliona needs to be out early. Hope she doesn't get a spot on ITT if she is though :S Karen and Ian do quite nicely ta!

[lundavra]

Originally Posted by olivej

ok, so not BBC confirmed, just newpapers and interviews

thank you

Weren't there some "confirmed" ones last year which turned out to be inaccurate?

[soulmate61]

Chris's tongue will flow like quicksilver, but Aliona will reply from her limited but firm vocabulary of short anglo-saxon words, not excluding words which start with F.

Originally Posted by footygirl

so the words starting with F would be

Fun
Fab
Fantastic

I was thinking more of

Fee
Fie
Fo
Fum

[StrictlyRed]

I had to Google Kelly Sotherton to find out who she was. I'm not sporty.

I'm liking Chris Evans a lot more these days than in the past, so would enjoy him being on it if correct.

Fern Britton? Hmmm........not so much.

[Jan2555*GG*]

Pretty sure Fern was a 'sure thing' last year and then wasnt on the show.

Not ruling out Chris Evans doing it but I would be very very very suprised....he is a fan of Strictly talks about it every year on the radio (not terribly accurately) he is always pushing one of his 'team' to do it, I think he is far too busy to take part and runs charity events at the weekends towards and during Children in Need and he has a new baby....I just cant see it myself.

None of the celebs in the first post have been confirmed anywhere by the BBC just newspaper gossip and if we are going on newspaper gossip then surely Charlie Brooks and Sid Owen should be on the list too.

Emily Mattis was on Would I lie to you tonight and revealed she is learning how to do the splits...perhaps shes doing Strictly this year.

[TheAuburnEnigma]

On the Strictly wiki page (not a great source of accuracy I know but I noticed this earlier tonight) they have Michael Vaughan down as confirmed. Only him though. They don't have anything on Katya's leaving.

[The Ambassador]

Ashleigh Butler of Ashleigh & Pudsey fame.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view...-Come-Dancing/

[tangoqueen]

Originally Posted by katie_p

The one is most like to see with a good celeb is Natalie. I've lost interest in being fair to the pros, I want to see the best choreographers and teachers get the best celebs! I really like the stuff Natalie comes up with.

Well said Katie.