I think we'll have a politician and I have a feeling it might be former MP and One Show correspondent Gyles Brandreth and/ or Celebrity Desperado Lembit Obik.

For females, I'd love to see Tameka Empson- she was great on Let's Dance for Sports Relief and seems like she'd give it her absolute all. She's tiny so would be great with Vincent!

Not as a comic celeb, but certainly someone with a very good sense of humour - Sharon Horgan.

No one could ever be as bad as the great titted trout.

I wish the powers that be would realise that we don't need a comedy contestant. It's all rather tedious in my opinion.

I would be careful what you wish ..... you never know there are worse candidates out there.....

Not sure if this article should be here or in the predict the cast thread ... so putting here. (says the producers are after Paddy Doherty and Jodie Marsh - and not for dancing reasons)...

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/news...ty-246224.html

A definite no thank you!!..

and I totally dont like the implications of the last couple of sentences - that the producers are only going after people who will make headlines.

This is terrible! I really hope it's a sick joke from the BBC We were talking on the other thread and most of us were agreed that we didn't want 'zelebs' from other 'reality tv shows' on Strictly - it's tacky and scrapping the barrel! I thought Jodie Marsh was being lined up for DOI anyway

I don't understand why they want people on the basis of just publicity. If you have Marsh, Doherty & their ilk on it's going to detract real celebs from taking part I wish the BBC strictly producers would stop making decisions on the basis of publicity, they don't need it because it's a big enough show anyway and it ruins the quality! Who cares if X-factor beats them in the ratings - strictly will still have a huge audience!

BIB the powers that be care.... and such that they think we WANT a comedy candidate.....

I agree they have their priorities set so wrong.

You know the mantra.... publicity publicity publicity... (even if that makes for a crap programme).

One word... Ugh!

Bring back nancy with anton. I feel this woman had so much more to give and was funnier Grant, widdy and seargent combined.

They're also lifted directly from an article about Dancing On Ice in the Daily Star. Which, being in the Daily Star, was probably bollocks in the first place.

More quality Internet journalism in action.

Well me and my family enjoy having a comedy partner in the show. It's only 1 out of 16. I'd like to see Dale Winton

It's 14, if I have to nitpick.

Samantha Brick

You need someone who takes it completely seriously, and works hard - but just looks odd, and has no dancing ability.
Someone very physically different than their partner, but has great comic timing.

Steven Merchant (Ricky Gervais' writing partner/ sidekick)
Kathy Burke
Katy Brand
Omid Djalili
Caroline Quentin
Martin Clunes

Omid Djalili did 'Let's Dance For Sport Relief' and was surprisingly light on his feet

Sorry to show my ignorance , but is Jodie Marsh the one who has developed "man-size" muscles by weight lifting?

If so, I'm trying hard - really hard - not to imagine her in a skimpy Latin dress

I don't think there should be a comedy contestant on purpose. I would rather see all the celebrities taking it seriously. I don't find it funny when people are messing around and being stupid or obstinately refusing to dance. There is a world of difference between someone who is taking it seriously, but who isn't naturally gifted at dance and who really struggles, than someone playing the fool.
I actually don't think John Sargeant should be counted as a comedy contestant. He was probably taking it a lot more seriously than it appeared. I think Kristina actually did a pretty good job of choreographing to his strengths and hiding his weaknesses behind "comedy" routines. Apart from the sack of potatoes moment, a lot of his paso was genuine basic steps. I've had to dance beginner paso routines with a lot of stamping around.

He'd be a great contestant . I think he'd bring some fun to the proceedings but really put in the effort at the same time


BIB - totally agree. Trying too hard to find someone deliberately hapless is just cheesy and patronising.


(JS did a lovely sweet waltz in his first week iirc).

Comedy contestants have been a Strictly staple from Jason Wood and David Dickinson to Russell Grant and Nancy Dell'Loony Ho. Some of them have worked, and some of them haven't, but they're always going to have them. I don't really have a massive problem with them, except when the show nearly pops a stitch yelling in my face about HOW FUNNY THEY ARE, rather than letting them show it themselves. Certainly I'd rather them than a mediocre dancer who's hating every second of looking foolish (Jessie Wallace) or who doesn't realise it and cops a huff over it (Jan Ravens).

I love him too, Christopher Biggins would be a great addition to the Strictly Come Dancing line up. Watching him swing his hips and shake his booty like John Travolta on lets dance for comic relief with Nicki Chapman showed us that he has some natural talent for the dance floor.

yes!!!!!