Just looking at the threads and noting the most mentioned names in the titles .
But maybe we are overlooking a little diamond ? Most years throw up a surprise 'goody' and a disappointing 'dud' or two .
I'm thinking we might be blind sided .
I rather like Georgia . She's young and lithe and fit . Add to that the fact that her youth might make her more daring and we could get a few fabulous routines .
In the males I think that if Iwan can be calmed down a bit he might prove to be something special .
Those two are the ones I'd vote as possible shockers with the WOW ! factor . All the others I think we are pretty much aware of their potential .

I think Anita's another somewhat ignored possibility; she's physically fit, and seems to be a good student from her First Steps video.

True , prior to the VT she was just another also-ran .
I really think that this year will be super special

Georgia looked pretty awful in the group dance. Let's hope that was nerves.

Iwan has gone to Japan until the first live show. He's had a grand total of three days training. Only so many star jumps and knee slides you can fit into three days....

What.

What?

I know. Shocking state of affairs, isn't it?

Yes - unless Iwan's schedule changes a lot and he survives the first elimination, his chances are not good.

He doesn't seem to have a dance history, so for Ola to have a chance of getting somewhere with him, he needs training time. He is fit and enthusiastic and competitive, but that will count for little if there is minimal training time.

Georgia has dance experience and might be a finalist if Giovanni is capable of teaching her to a high level. They look good and I think she may have the potential. The big thing is - will inexperience count against them?

I'm not sure I'd pin my hopes on either Georgia or Iwan. They were both hopeless in group dance and Iwan was positively wooden.

Georgia is not over-endowed with brains. Not sure she can concentrate for more than nano second, but she is cute.

I suspect I know who the two surprises are, but I am keeping it to myself

Wouldn't want to be stuck in a lift with Iwan.

Unless he's had valium.

smart woman!

I don't want to be stuck in a lift with him ever.

Ah but that could be them bluffing .

Why did Iwan even sign up to do the show . You have to be committed if you want to succeed in this show and that schedule is just not going to cut it.

I think Ainsley could be a surprise, has a brilliant teacher and he seems to have rhythm.

Agreee He's very lucky to have Natalie. A wonderful Pro dancer. I believe he'll do well with her

By far the least mentioned celebrity in the thread titles is, surprisingly, Kirsty. Currently, she really seems to be below everybody's radar and seems to have been somewhat forgotten despite her joint last to be announced grand entrance on The One Show.

Add to the fact she is paired with the vastly experienced Brendan, this is even more shocking. Do they even have an appreciation thread yet?

She seems to be a typical Brendan-type partner (brunette, late 20s/mid 30s with potential a la Kelly, Lisa, Sophie, Victoria {on paper]) so I think he will produce some great work with her. She may be slow to get out of the traps (with her forgettable performance in the group dance) but once she gets some momentum behind her, I think she'll become the proverbial dark horse along with Katie and will certainly become one to watch.

I liked that Kirsty fessed up to having done ballet and tap as a child when she was announced. It doesn't look like there is a lot of residual there but I think doing some dancing when you are young does help engrain some co-ordination and 'feel' for it. Brendan is one of the more complete pros on the show and Kirsty is fit and will look good. The bookmakers had Kirsty ahead of Jay on their odds to win last time I looked.
As long as they click, they have the makings of a 'journey' completed very effectively.
Likely semi-finalists at least.

True. But would you want to bluff that badly in front of a camera - and an audience?

It's also hard to bluff terror.

Agree. The man can really move. His problem is over dancing - and a bit of an ego (I do know this, sadly).

He is always 'on' when there is a camera - and it's a very big show. Relentless is the word I'd choose.

No wonder they gave him tough, beautiful, clever Natalie.

Yeah, that worked out so great last year




His antics last year will not have helped.



Only problem is that this year the female competition is very high, so starting slow is perhaps not the best thing. Think that the comparison with Victoria might fit best, but this year does not have that many duffers and Kirsty is not an Olympic champion.

Haha! True.

What I meant was, being one of the last to be announced gave her the biggest build up which all seems to have come crashing down since


I keep hearing about these "antics" but I'm still not sure what he did re Sunetra exactly. Please enlighten me.

Well, yeah that's true .


I quite fancy Ainsley , in a Strictly dancing way .
I mostly don't mind people who are always 'on' either , I find it cheerful . Dependent on other factors obv (basic likeability ) . And Ainsley is likeable . He could be our dark horse and shock us . He might lose some weight during the show , they often do , and reveal a buffed six pack if he stays in long enough . I'm so shallow .

BIB I've been wondering about this as well.

Quote. By far the least mentioned celebrity in the thread titles is, surprisingly, Kirsty. Currently, she really seems to be below everybody's radar and seems to have been somewhat forgotten.

For Kirsty read Gabby Logan, I think people will see her in a similar light, sporty, over-competitive perhaps, which may work to her disadvantage.

Brendan says she is not a natural dancer, unlike Gabby, but I expect people also think that because of who she is and having a famous Dad she is bound to a bit good anyway.

One thing I have noticed about Brendan is that whoever he gets he always manages to hang about for a few weeks, even with the likes of Jo Wood and Fiona Phillips. His worst ever placing has been fourth out so even if Kirsty turns out to be a weak dancer she will probably last at least a month.

Poor Kirsty, a whole month.

Come on, you hace to share!

I agree with Georgia, but that did not damage Chelsee's strictly experience!