I agree, Patrick Ness is lovely. He's someone you would love to go out for dinner or a drink with. And he always favourites you when you tweet him (I'm easily pleased!).

Big Strictly fan too, he has a thing for Pasha if I recall...

Done. Gruffold can do Mon-Weds. I am having to design a new block for the boys. So many of the new batch are on special duty or split shift the bungalow is not big enough any more, although I DO think certain people's booze stash is taking up A LOT OF ROOM THIS YEAR!

And yes, it will be a two-piece onsie for some of you. A contradiction in terms mind... Jeez, the things that I do for you lot.

Alan Rickman has to be shared. I will say this only once. We had far too much argy bargy last year with boys being kidnapped and going walkabout for oddly long periods. The level of service plummets when that happens. And the ironing never gets done.

It's just not good enough.

If we're having Celtic authors I'm having John Connolly, he's lovely, little and twinkly, and I can sit him in a corner and go over/bore him to death with my casting suggestions for any upcoming Charlie Parker movies with him if the dancing gets too bland

Where's the Like button?

Don't want to share Shemar <pouts>

I haven't seen Robert since about the 16th November 2013. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Button very much at all since then either. You're right. There definitely needs to be some firm guidelines/rules on this.

May I make my request for the twosie now please?

Can we smuggle Artem back in a lorryload of vegetables via Calais?

Tut, do we have to have the scarlet pimpernel now, Sofs will have to project manage a side extension as well as the basement and attic extension on the bungalow!

I have just found out something to REALLY REALLY unappreciate. Gregg is reputed to never wear any underwear. Bleurgh!,

I am sure on the show everything will be tucked away tidily in the leotard things , but I am never ever going to watch any training clip with him in it.

At least this year we have lost Robin and his sweaty vests with the huge arm holes and now we have to know this .

Sometimes once known can never be unknown

No wonder Gregg gets through wives so quickly.

Checks thread supplies of mind bleach.
Orders more.

Gregg has now been officially been tagged as a pervert after telling a group of the female pros that he couldn't wait for the series to start and stick his salami to one of them...Just chef talk I guess. no wonder Aliona went ballistic after she found out the good news about the pairing.

The moment Gregg called Zoe 'treacle' on the red carpet I knew I hated him. He was so chuffed with himself for doing it. He is going to make me squirm beyond belief.

Which was the dance last year when we were treated to the sight of Anton's trouser-courgette? The thing itself was so mesmerising I have forgotten the actual routine.

Don't worry. So did Anton and Fiona and they were dancing it.

Doubles order of mind bleach.

Orders extra shed for mind bleach supplies I feel it may be needed this year.

Oh dear, he's going to be like a groper at a hotel disco. I feel sorry for his pro partner.

Oh god I can see the jokes coming all of them involving wet celery, sticks of rhubarb and courgettes and marrows.

Stop it , stop it now Len, if you feel the need just remember small children and the elderly watch this show.

Will no one think of the children

Lilia is laying in the snacks for a new member of her pro partner support group.

We really ought to have a like button , request for one please MODS

What do you mean "he's going to be like a groper at a hotel disco"?

Yuk. *shakes* - do you really have to be so explicit this early in the morning.

I think the baker might make Dom Littlewood appear a saint if the former is going to be as leery as that.

I think we might have found our contender to be first out .....
If he is as bad as that - what's the betting that His pro doesn't try to hard to teach him?

Sara the problem is he may have natural talent and we will be stuck with him for a while. Roll on tonight and let's hope he falls over

Nope, he won't, I trust in the gods of dancing, they must not let me down

Why couldn't we have the lovely Michel Roux Jnr, Glyn Purnell, Tom Kerridge etc, all charming, lovely chef/food type people, why oh why

In regards to Gregg, it will be hilarious to read this thread tonight

Also, don't read any papers (on-line or otherwise) today, as they have already given away 2 of the pairings (I believe the daily mail??).