I know

There must be a big difference in what motivates people like Carol and Jeremy Vine who already have a high profile in the BBC and fading pop stars who are trying to boost their careers.
I am not sure Strictly worked for Peter Andre and Pixie Lott both of whom have had trouble selling tickets to their latest ventures.

For actors I guess Strictly does work as it raises their profile.

Maybe Georgia is getting a hard time from a couple of posters for a comment she made but the tit for tat is getting ridiculous.

Where do you get your information about other people being unpopular? I don't see any evidence of it. Where does your dislike of Pixie come from?

I remember the hate Jay got for making that comment

I don't know if this has been posted on here before, but Kara has just wrapped filming on The Halcyon - a new ITV WW2 drama which is supposed to be the new Downton Abbey/Mr Selfridge. It also stars Mark Benton .

http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a7...ridge-halcyon/

A few of the set designers and producers have posted pics on Instagram and the sets look really impressive.

Kara really is doing well. She seemed to disappear after she appeared on Strictly but everything is going well for her now.

She was absolutely fabulous in the live 'Sound of Music' - I look forward to seeing that series - although not a 100% sure about Mark Benton - although he was great in 'Early Doors' !

Yes, she did theatre for a couple of years after Strictly so wasn't on screen much, but it seems to have worked well for her

Yes and from a couple of things I've read it looks like she may be singing a bit in this as well . I haven't really seen much that Mark has been in, but I thought he was lovely on Strictly.

Totally agree with you. I never take some celebrities seriously, they get work done on their nose, teeth and face and say they are comfortable with their looks. If you go back and look, most of them have had work done.

That is why I like the natural beauties like Fearne Cotton and Pixie. I am not sure about
Sophie, may be some Botox??

Hi Sarah BIB From recent close up photos I've seen I don't think so but could be wrong.

Sophie's voiced a very healthy, relaxed attitude to having a mum of four tum and not feeling pressure to snap straight back in to pre pregnancy shape (or wear Bridget Jones control pants under red carpet dresses )

Ohhh, that looks good. Thanks Ellie. Can't beat a good costume drama

I don't think it's possible to have a forensic analysis of who benefitted the most from their time on Strictly It's a subjective thing, I would still vote for Alesha Dixon but if someone else disagrees and thinks it is Anne Widdecombe then no problem

I would go for Alesha too.

Ochre Forgot to say earlier, hope you are happy with the new car

BIB Erm no I'd have to argue that point too Without personal insults to other posters

Thanks for The Halcyon info Ellie, had a quick look at Chris Croucher's Instagram and I see what you mean about the sets! Loving the photo of the Spitfire, exciting. Do you know anything about the character Kara is playing?


Love it thanks Huph and so do the kids, taking it for a drive out in a bit birthday shopping. Will be trying out the windscreen wipers lol as it's chucking it down here today! Hope everyone else has better weather.

Does anyone here remember the BBC Strictly discussion boards? They were HILARIOUS. The insults we've received on this thread look like fond banter compared to the ding dongs there. No wonder they were closed!

I've had a google and I can't find anything about Kara's character. I hope she has a bigger role that she did on Mr Selfridge - I think they could have made much more of her on that series.

Not a lot, just what I can glean from Instagram. She's called Betsey Day - there is a band in it called the Sonny Sullivan band and Kara seems to have been filming quite a bit with Sope Dirisu (from Humans) who plays Sonny. The set designer posted a pic of a microphone and stage saying 'the stage is set and ready for Kara Tointon' so I'm guessing she plays a singer - you can see the pic in this montage

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEf_wykG...ged=thehalcyon

Also, judging by this hair/make-up vid posted by Kara she will be a bit more glam than her Mr Selfridge character

https://www.instagram.com/p/BI2E_u1j...ged=thehalcyon

Other than that, they've kept most of the details under wraps (which is no bad thing - those 2 series Michelle Keegan has filmed for ITV recently I feel like I've already watched with the amount of photos in the Sidebar of Shame )

Ha ha yes I've been keeping up with the Our Girl news Michelle dying her hair blonde for her other series was a big change! She definitely suits her natural brunette.

Thanks for the links Ellie, love Kara's hair and makeup clip She looks gorgeous, very glam. Looking forward to The Halcyon.

Surprisingly, I'd say Mark Wright got his name positively out there. Kara Tointon benefited a lot too, and Georgia benefited a lot. I'm looking this from career perspective, of course there are others who have benefited in other ways a lot.

Whose birthday??. When and where?? Are we invited??. Would love some cake please.

I hope people would exit the 'Hate and Jealous' roundabout, sick of going around.

I'm agog to find out who I'm going to be a jellus hata of this year

The eldest Miss Ochre *Leaves slice of white chocolate cake for Sarah*

BIB Could not agree more.

Oh I have enjoyed this thread. Lots of laughs, especially when we were told that we were all off topic for being too positive

I think I am going to really like Laura BUT I have heard that she talks at nineteen to the dozen and has issues in the putting a sock in it department. If that is the case then should could possibly be quite annoying so naturally I will become a jellus hata who has a bitter heart.

BIB Literally just spluttered my tea down my top, thanks Lou

Morning Ochre and a very happy birthday to little Miss Ochre

I seriously worry about your stain removal/dry cleaning bill.

Thank you Lou, I'd offer you a slice of cake but I think Sarah ran off with it all

I was having a look at Helen's Instagram and love the banter between her and Anita over Helen's strong crazy golf stance lol.

Excited there's been another celeb announcement this morning, I thought we'd be waiting until next week. Really liking the lineup so far.

Ha ha, love it

Yes, the lineup looks pretty good so far and not long to wait now