1. The opening sequence looked cheap and tacky (complete with spaceship from Button Moon) and no one should ever ask Tess to 'act'.

2. Loving Greg & Natalie, Melvin & Janette, Brendan & Anastacia, Tameka & Gorka and, surprisingly, Will & Karen. I was disappointed when I heard he got her, but he seemed genuinely pleased and seems lovely so they should be a nice partnership.

3. Unlike everyone else I wasn't keen on Judge Rinder, he seemed to be trying a bit too hard with the rehearsed comebacks and looks to camera. Ore looked very good, but knows it.

4. Daisy seems really sweet but looked slightly stiff in the group dance. Laura looked to have the sort of 'bambi legs' that Helen had that made her Latin a bit weird.

5. Not too keen on any of the new pros except maybe Gorka (perhaps because he didn't get a word in edgewise with Tameka ). There were a lot of 'look at me' faces in the group dances, but not just from the new pros.

Never heard of him before and the sooner he is eliminated the better as far as I am concerned

1 - The intro was absolutely terrible to watch. I'd be embarrassed to have my family sit through that.

2 - Anastacia / Judge Rinder / Tameka where easily my faves

3 - Greg is my eye candy. Just fear he won't dance that great. Hopefully takes his clothes off to aid his fanbase in the votes <333

4 - Oti is one of the most beautiful Pros we have got. Hope she turns Danny into a good contender. However, Danny was really bland and a bit boring for me.

5 - Rebecca was a terrible musical guest. Olly slightly better, would love him on the show.

1. I like the celebs! Good bunch with some real characters.

2. Least favourite pairing was Laura with Giovanni; felt an insincerity between them.

3. Favourite pairing was Judge Rinder with Oksana. Look forward to them for many worthy laughs and he looks like he can move it.

4. My favourite celeb is Ore.

5. Classic Claudia: 'bedding in', awkward phrase. Don't be sick on me as the dress is borrowed. (To AJ) You look like 11 1/2 to me, are you allowed out of school?

1. Why?
2. Love Ore & Jo
3. Also love Greg but getting a cushion ready for his Lain
4. Think Will & Karen will be ace
5. Again, why?

1. My money is on Ore to go the distance. Even more now after seeing him properly move a bit.
2. I hated the space themed intro. I love a bit of Strictly ham but that was too much, too much.
3. Ed Balls is gonna give it some welly, woo! Look at him go in that group number.
4. Tameka already grates on my nerves.
5. I'm going to miss Aliona *sob*

Jay McGuiness looked as if he'd put on a bit of weight, he's got a bit of a chubby face too now, only expected, as I guess he hadn't had several weeks dance training this time. His dancing didn't look as crisp as the original.
Aliona looked exactly the same. She's obviously keeping herself fit.

1. Natalie and Aljaz dancing together - more of this please.
2. Claudia - genius as always.
3. Yes, we know Claudia F is teeny - you don't have to stand her next to the tallest people all of the time to emphasise it.
4. Tameka needs to dial it down a notch (or 20).
5. Think this is going to be a good series - lots of potential.

1. Love Lesley's fizz and energy and think she'll do well.

2. Poor Ore being allergic to the opening blasts of the sax seems really likeable and good fun.

3. Hope Karen looks after my lovely Will, no doubt he has his grandad's jumper close by for luck (which Claudia was wearing!) I've high hopes for him though.

4. Frustrated couldn't watch Jay's Jive properly, cos of the crazy flash photography lighting!

5. I can't wait 3 weeks!

1. Louise is going to have to down a couple of shots of tequila before she takes to the floor!

2. So happy that Natalie was so happy - and I'm not even a particular fan (though I like her) - but hell, she deserves someone young and fit! But having said that, I fear that Greg may not be as good as everyone thinks he may be!

3. I'm convinced that Laura and Anastacia were switched at the 11th hour after Giovanni and Georgia split last weekend. I thought it when I read the spoilers but that view was cemented even more tonight, particularly after the group dance - I know they all dance with a couple of "options" but Gio was with Anastacia for almost all of it. And I was sure they'd be paired as he's a big fan. I think they would have had a blast and been more suited than her and Brendan. I don't know much about Laura but really feel for her as she's been thrown under the tabloid bus.

4. Pasha has laid off the pies!

5. I have never seen Tameka before, but thought she was a scream. She'll eat poor Gorka alive!

Evening everyone, where has the year gone, so excited to be back in the SCD section again.

My thoughts.

1. Missed the intro, by sounds of it, did not miss much.
2. Love all the stars and the new pro dancers
3 Early faves for me Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard, two to watch, so young and fresh
4. Great partnerships for Will and Danny Mac, Will massive fan, he is a lovely man
5. Claudia, she just makes me howl, so deadpan, great to see her again. Tess, got to up your game lovely.

Didn't see it all but they definitely need some taller male pros . Laura is too tall for Gio and Daisy is too tall for Alijaz . Brendan should be partnered with Daisy .
Karen was cringe in the extreme jumping on Will and making him carry her .

The two presenters and the pros trying way too hard to impress but I suppose you can't blame them with the producers shouting in their ears make it great . They certainly had the audience whipped into a frenzy , screaming at the least thing .

Oh you should watch the intro, it's the new Bacofoil!

But Brendan is shorter than Aljaz! I don't disagree that the pros are on the shorter side, but I think Aljaz was the best option for Daisy, height wise.

1. thought the choreography in the pro group routines very good
2. would have swapped laura and naga's partners
3. Oti is too tall for Dan
4. besides Ed Ball no obvious duffers
5. Glad Strictly is back

You're welcome.

1. Worst opening ever - tacky and not the Strictly way. Don't do that again!

2. Not sure if he can move yet but over the moon Nat gets a young fit athlete. Love Greg, and judging from her tweets, she is chuffed to bits. .

3. So pleased Oti has a contender, lost her way too early last season, we need more Oti!

4. AJ does look 11 1/2 - him & Claudia look a scrumptious pairing,

5. Don't know some celebs at all, of those, am really liking Ore.


NB. Joanne Clifton, a bit Single White Female - Ola doppelgänger......anyone else notice that!
Jay & Aliona - disappointing jive


THANK GOD STRICTLY IS BACK!!

1. Jay looked puffy and unfit but still lovely to see him and Aliona. I will miss her.

2. AJ reminds me of the late Stephen Gately from Boyzone.

3. I thought Brendan and Anastasia would clash but they seem really happy to be paired up.

4. I still don't like Joanna Clifton but she looks amazing as a blonde.

5. I would like to see Natalie and Alijaz do well this year.

1- Love Jay and Aliona but I didnt like their jive tonight . It missed something imo; it just wasnt good as last time ; It also look under-rehearsed.

2- This is the 2nd year in a row that a returning winner dance is underwhelming; At least Jay and Aliona did better than Pasha and Caroline.

3- Which brings me to point n3; Abbey and Aljaz STILL HOLDS the record IMO for the BEST RETURNING dance. Their Waltz on the launch was even more stunning (as if it was possible ) .

4- So many likable celebrities this year. At the moment , I am loving Oti and Danny, Brendan and Anastasia Greg and Nat as couples. I like Melvin, the judge personalities.
Tameka could be annoying after a while but at the moment she is funny .

5- So happy that strictly is BACK

1 - Hated the opening
2 - Gorka is HOTTTTTTT as is AJ. Gorgeous additions!
3 - Claud is hilarious.
4 - Ore is the one to watch, he can really dance!
5 - Anastacia is FABULOUS <3

WELCOME BACK STRICTLY!

Bonus thought - Tess, don't do gags. It doesn't work!

1. The opening was embarrassingly cheap and went on...and on...and on...zzzzzz

2. I loved Oti's genuine reaction to getting Danny - you can tell she was not expecting that one bit.

3. I am glad Ore showed that he is the great natural mover I have said he is ever since he was announced

4. Group dance routine itself (not as performed) wasn't a patch on last year's

5. Tameka, Melvin, Louise, Greg and Naga came over the best as personalities.

1. Loved that they introduced the pro's and gave them the recognition they derserve.
2. Judge Rinder is going to be fun and look's like he can dance.
3. I love Claudia W
4. I wasn't keen on the space theme.
5. There's a lot I like but especially Greg, Danny, Ore, Aljaz, Gio and Gorka my winter night's are sorted

A cheeky 6 not happy Kevin go a possible contender.

1. Awful intro, too cheesy and not funny.
2. Arrrgh Kevin getting a possible winner (again).
3. Jay seemed a bit unfit and not as limber.
4. Love the feelgood vibe.
5. I am so pleased it's back.

1. Loved seeing Jay & Aliona again
2. Loved seeing each of the pros getting properly introduced
3. Hated the opening sequence and the musical guests
4. Judge Rinder, Laura and Tameka are annoying me already, but I'm loving Ore and Will.
5. I don't feel excited as yet by any of the new pros.

Cheeky 6 - I don't understand why people are getting so angsty about Kevin getting a "contender" - Louise didn't look good at all in the group dance!

1. Maybe it's because last series was such a giant pile of poop but I'm really excited by this year's line-up and am not officially agin anyone yet (Hollyoaks guy has been saved by Oti).

2. Praying Greg can find his inner dancer or I'll spend all series wishing Nat had got Will instead.

3. Thank you Spain, for Gorka <3

4. Us Labour peeps need cheering up at the mo so I'm really pleased Ed Balls agreed to take part (also, I had a weird crush on him 2007-2009, don't judge me)

5. Am slightly disappointed they didn't make Lesley & AJ happen, I'm so over Anton's comedy partnerships now (but Rinder & Oksana and Tameka & Gorka should be a scream).