It's a shame that Neil Jones and Chloe Hewitt won't get a celebrity partner to dance with this series. It would have been better if the BBC just signed up two more celebrities.

I feel that each pro should have a celebrity. Wouldn't have made that much difference to add two more celebrities to the line-up.

I was really hoping Ryan Thomas, Debbie McGee, Helen Skelton and Max Whitlock would be dancing this year.

Imagine if they did a launch show twist and a further two celebrities were revealed to be joining the cast of SCD 2016.

I do think it's a bit daft to introduce new pros to the series, to then not partner them up with a celebrity.

I'd have partnered Neil/Katya and AJ/Chloe up with a celebrity each since they come as ready made pro couples.

Very daft! Wish they would have just added two more celebs to be honest. Feel sorry for Neil and Chloe.

You might've wanted to wait for the show, this is a tad bit of a spoiler.

No, it's common knowledge, it was being discussed pre-launch show recording.

I guess, but just in case. Sorry for being pedantic.

It has been confirmed that Neil and Chloe won't be participating with a celebrity partner so I thought it was OK to post it?

It is a shame I agree.

I agree. Two more slebs and double evictions twice would be fab (three couples in DO panel can only save one, Len casting vote, goes last).

Although it is common knowledge, certainly on the predict pairings threads, due to insider info (thanks backstage one) it has NOT been confirmed as far as I know.

Why announce 15 Celebs and 17 Pro dancers regardless? They could have just announced 15 paired couples and kept the "reserves" on standby un-announced.

I don't remember this happening in previous series?
Neil was heavily involved in the choreography previously and took part in group dances so why was he not announced as a 'Strictly Professional' before?
Chloe and AJ have had an illustrious amateur career so far but have both been forced to turn professional as they were both named as new pros on Strictly.
Chloe is not happy at all apparently but I guess that's just the way the BBC works sometimes but although it makes sense to have reserves they were both trumpeted as 'new pros' so I assumed they would be allocated celebrities?
I wonder if they are being paid the same?

Neither do I.

It's all rather strange, and I really can't see the reasoning behind it.

Professional dancers can get sick or injured, so seems sensible to have reserves, just in case.

It's not as if they won't also be involved with the show, such as Jo Clifton was last year. No doubt they'll have plenty of opportunity to dance in the pro routines or to the singing guests, plus have a role on ITT, at times, maybe, in place of K Hardy & I Waite?

should've just signed 2 more pros bring back week1 elimination& semi final double so all 17 pros got someone but it was still 13 weeks. who agrees with me on this?

I think that they are trying to have a more dancers to choose from so that there is more flexibility in the celebs they can sign up.

Neil will get his chance next year because I think that either Brendan or Anton will replace Len (I favour Brendan) and Chloe and AJ will be seen as the future so she just needs to be patient.

Thing is, the show has never had problems finding reserves before.

Aliona came back, they found Iveta at a moments notice. It just seems silly to have randoms hanging about in Clauditorium and it certainly shouldn't be brand new pros sitting it out.

Remember when Jo sat out? Everyone agreed it would have been awful to have Oti sit the show out after just being hired.

This is the strictly equivalent of " dance troupes members " I guess. .like on dwts. That's a shame imo...especially for dancers of their calibers.

By naming them as new pros the public will get to know their names and have no doubt they will be part of the main show next year - Have no doubt Neil knew the score before he signed up and with chloe's young age it will give her time to familiarise herself with the workings of the show -teaching etc - I do not think they were forced to turn professional either think it is a natural progression for them

Ah but if they follow the usual format, then next year there will be 7 female celebs and 8 male celebs.

So whilst Chloe will hopefully get her chance, as the eighth female Pro, there will only be a requirement for seven male pros. So allowing for either Anton or Brendan to take Len's place ( agree with you, I would choose Brendan over Anton any day ) that will leave seven male pros, with no need to add Neil to the line up. Of course that's unless one of the current male Pro's doesn't come back.

I think this is Pasha's last year

I wonder who he'll dance with this year now Ola has gone? Maybe Oti?

I wondered why I didn't see Chloe get paired up with anyone.

Such a pretty girl, her and A.J. make a cute couple.

I still think it should be current not new pros having to sit out if we do have to have two extras.

There is also Christmas and Children in Need to cover.
Plus Tour.

The Strictly Christmas show is usually the highest rated show TV.

Is it better to "sit out" than get some complete duffer who is an embarrassment, and gets booted out first off. (Cough, Gregg Wallace, cough)

No one forced Chloe and AJ to join Strictly. They could've continued their careers as they had before.
Strictly 'troupe' is a great opportunity for them, it gets them a regular job, recognition, and foot in the door for next season.
As for the show, I bet it's easier and more convenient to have extra pros already there in case extra pros are needed (injuries etc) and for group dances. It's a win/win for the pros and the show.