Been noting a lot of negativity regarding the line up so far .
So , genuine question , what BIG names could people genuinely believe would be prepared to set aside months in their (presumably busy) schedule for all the intense training, the dedication and constant weekly searing critiques .
I'm honestly puzzled what people expect .
For myself I might (at a stretch) see David Beckham do it as a charity thing . He did the Fools n Horses skit with Del Boy .
Maybe one of the boys from 1D , seeing as how they are on a break .
Kate Moss ? Might make her forget the break up .

Yes I know we all have ',wish lists' , but of really truly internationally known names ? It won't happen .

I don't see any problem with any of the names. They're all current and deserving. Just most don't hold my interest really. I guess its personal preference. Lots of times I've loved line ups and others have said they're awful. Guess you can't always strike lucky with the line up. For me as long as they're all relevant I think it's fair enough. Alison excited me last year and she's hardy a big name. Just really lacking anyone that holds my attention bar Kellie at the moment. Don't really dislike any of them saying that though and will still be interested to see them. Just would have liked some more people that I would personally be on the edge of my seat to see dance bar just 1 of 11 names that are so far confirmed

See that's the way I look at it too . Some on the list so far I'm finding a mild liking for , others I don't know , but I'm happy to watch them unfold over the weeks and impress me or irritate me .
But some FMs are complaining , demanding big names . It just won't happen , that's the point I'm making , so we need to just deal with what we get .

There is always negativity surrounding the line up. In reality this year has much the same composition as most years, a DJ, a chef, a sportsman, actors from soaps, couple of singers. Is Ainsley Harriot really a worse celeb than Greg Wallace, Peter Andre worse Mark Wright, some actress from East Enders worse than some actor from East Enders, and so on?

This years line is getting a lot more negative feedback them last year though even though they are similar I think its because last years were more recognisable to people

Richard Armstrong
Raef Bjayou
Benedict Cumberbatch
Idris Elba
Nick Hewer
David Mitchell

Monica Bellucci
Dawn French
Marion Keyes (partnered with Pasha of course!)

Sally Bretton
Heather Peace
Charlotte Uhlenbroek
Katie Thistleton
Jilly Johnson
Sally Gunnell
Imogen Cairns
Cherry Healey

Jesus Christ
Bart Simpson
Marge Simpson
Homer Simpson
Lisa Simpson
The Little Baby Simpson
God
Madonna
Justin Bieber
Margaret Thatcher
Steve Brookstein
Katie Hopkins

Wash your mouth out Ross

I don't expect BIG stars to do Strictly at all, but BIGGER stars than this have done it before. There are a few decent signings this year - although I'm not overly fussed, Kellie Bright is a good one (prominent role in Eastenders and has won awards for it), and Peter Andre, love him or hate him, is also someone who most have heard of. I'd even say Ainsley Harriott is a fairly good addition to the cast.

But whereas last year we had some fairly current pop stars and a few interesting 'curveballs' like a wildlife presenter and an antiques expert, this year seems like a load of total non-entities and IMO looks a bit like it was thrown together in 5 minutes, mainly using whoever happened to be in the BBC canteen at the time. I mean, a breakfast weather presenter and someone who introduces coverage of the Proms are hardly the kind of people that are likely to get loads of viewers excited!

Ok so with a few names still to reveal I personally feel the cast is missing a couple of 'types'.. Firstly I enjoy the wacky comedy characters who inject a bit of fun into proceedings . The likes of Russell grant for example in the past.. Secondly I always enjoy the curveball castings ie the casting of someone whom you wouldn't expect to appear on strictly . Somebody for example like a tv historian . For me there are far too many staid bbc type presenters - not my cup of tea

Can you throw in Donald Trump? There are some panicking billionaire political donors over here who'd pay you a pretty sum to lure him over. Could support the Beeb for a decade. And I bet him and Jamelia could have some feisty cat fights. And I can see him now calling God a loser OAP.

And what is that baby Simpson's name? Maggie?

This ^^^^^ Especially the first paragraph

Well, to be honest I don't think you could get a much curvier curve ball than Daniel O'Donnell. He might not be my cup of tea act-wise but his selling power can't be denied. In terms of Strictly and a large proportion of the target audience he is a huge name and totally unexpected.

The line up is fine. I have heard of more of the contestants than I have the suggestions being made here. DS is like Trip Advisor it attracts negative comments and cannot therefore give a balance picture. As long as they don't have an obvious "comedy" choice I'll be content.

Forget about whether you like the line-up at the mo' - cos that is ALL it is - A LINE UP!

My point is, none of us have seen any of them dance in this competition.

I'm sure when the likes of Mark Rampraksh, Jill Halfpenny, Austin Healey, Gethin Jones, Alesha Dixon, Chelsee Healey and Abbey Clancy were announced, people were not exactly jumping for joy because they appeared to be potentially great cast members.

But look what happened.

Rachel Riley, Nicky Byrne, Anita Dobson, Martina Hingis, Emma Bunton, Stephanie Beacham, Jerry Hall, Victoria Pendleton & Michelle Williams were all considered big (marquee) signings at their times...but look what happened there.

So, is it really too much to ask that we give them all a chance to dance (its kind of the whole idea of the show) before we entirely dismiss them??

I don't think people are dismissing them on dance ability. I have favourites that I look forward to but I know they might not necessarily be very good. And equally there are others who I'm not over fussed about who end up being brilliant. I think the point people are making is just that the cast is not as familiar as some might like. I get that some of the less anticipated can surprise you. I didn't know Pamela Stephenson before Strictly but she ended up being one of my favourite ever contestants. But generally, you still like to have a few names you can get really excited about seeing prior to the series. And the less anticipated ones that can surprise you aren't usually the entire cast or near enough.

I agree with you, I'll still watch it and probably enjoy it just as much as any other series. And there are bound to be a few that wow me and make me think "wow they're getting my votes". But it's just usually you are more excited to see the people you know and/or like on top of watching them dance. Last year, one who I really got excited to see how she would do was Alison. Couldn't wait for her to come on. But I knew she probably wouldn't be winning material, nor would I have voted for her to win. I don't have anything against this line up, just personally there isn't anyone (bar one) who makes me feel "god I can't wait to see them"

But if, as the series goes on, you pick up on ones "you can't wait to see", this can only be a really good thing.

It's their choice but I just cannot understand anyone who says: "That's it, i'm not watching this series at all because [Peter Andre] is in the line-up. You don't know him so how can he have such an extreme influence on you? God help him if you ever ran into each other somewhere. The guy would be six-foot under!

Yeah I agree. I'm assuming you are talking generally and not just to me cause I haven't said anything bad about Peter Andre (or any of them) so he doesn't have an extreme influence on me so far lol. But yeah, I'm not about to spit my dummy out and protest with "I'm not watching now" how some people have, that's way extreme. And there isn't anybody I actually dislike. Just none that have got me going "OMG!!! YESSS!!!" apart from 1 of 12 so far.

As the series goes on there will most likely be ones I'll grow to like. Just, when you know a few and they're people you enjoy or like it makes you that bit more excited. Even if they don't turn out to be that good.

Once the series begins people will probably get a bit more into it.

No, not talking directly to you at all.

Also, just using Peter as an example (hence the brackets) - though he is clearly one of the most unpopular in this year's line-up and somebody has actually made a similar comment about him somewhere in this forum.

I completely agree! Its impossible to predict who my favourites will be by the end of the series - its not a popular opinion on here but I massively warmed to Mark Wright last year as the series went on, and I loved Jake Wood despite not watching Eastenders. But its nice to have a few people you're more familiar with at the start, just to get some pre-series anticipation flowing, even if they end up being rubbish.

I would really like to see Ralf Little and Sheridan Smith on the show. I don't think that's TOO ambitious! Yet they're still famous enough that the majority of the UK would know them.
Last edited by teagenie : 27-08-2015 at 23:34

I have to admit I'm neither excited by nor disappointed with this years contestants. As long as Tristan is still dancing in December then I'll be happy!

I just think that these days big names are just wishful thinking on our part .
Lots say they love the show but yet none will tackle it .There are possibly big names who would take it on but the producers might not consider them within their budget or too famous to approach . Well I'm happy enough with the line up and can't wait now .