I don't know anything about any of them yet, so I'll see how they come over as the weeks go by, although Katya looks doomed to an early exit as she's drawn the short straw. Gorka looks like he could be fun though.

Very considerate of you to give them so much time before judging them.

Isn't it a bit early to be judging any of the new pros? They have to make an early impression after all, and the reactions to being told who their partners are is traditionally way over the top for any of them - especially when they find themselves saddled with a complete no hoper.

Apparently Oksana has lived in the USA for several years, so presumably she can speak English - which will come as good news to Judge Rinder because I doubt whether his very extensive education included Ukrainian. I was pleasantly surprised by him in the group dance, by the way.

Not sure how you can say this after only one episode? We don't really know anything about any of them yet. They didn't do VT introductions for them as they have in past series, probably because there were so many of them this time.

Totally agree. So great to see new talent. It was much needed. I would love to see some innovative ideas and new choreography.

Some hate change, and some embrace it. I think it brings new energy, which is always good for dance.

As others have said it's a bit too early to tell but on first impressions I really like Katya. Not sure about the others yet but I can't say I took a disliking to any of them.

It must have been -30 degrees Centigrade when you watched the first show then as they were all new pro's at the start. Give the new pros a little time then make a judgement, I didn't like Natalie on her first series, she is now a Goddess and I hope she wins the Glitterball before she retires.


I think Oksana maybe.

There were VTs of them on the red button coverage. Need to see how they work with their celebs to really get an idea of personalities etc.

i think the show needed a shake up too. It was looking a bit tired. The current pro line up looks stronger than previous ones and so looking forward to seeing the new pros dance and partner celebs (well those that have partners). I'm pleasantly surprised to see how open minded most people are. Sometimes I underestimate the forum!

Looking forward to see the old pros and the new pros and how they bring out the best in their celeb partners. Gorka seems like a laugh. Bring on the first show, lets see them shake their touche.

So Jennifer and Ann, which new pro stood out for you, if at all? I liked Katya's energy and Gorka seems serene and he was taking Tameka's comedy very well. AJ seems too young to me. Did not have time to decide about Oksana - though I like her pairing with the judge - Neil or Chloe. But I'm pleased to welcome the new pros, which I didn't think I would be because of Gleb's absence. I think Gorka might take Gleb's place for eye candy though

I am sooo glad to welcome some new faces (and say goodbyefarewell to a couple of well-seasoned ones) and am hopeful that Ed and Judge Rinder have the underdog appeal and stick around a good few weeks so Katya and Oksana aren't off our screens too soon.

I'm another who did not much like Natalie in her first season but I absolutely love her now. Sometimes it takes time for pros to show their personality and get viewers to warm to them. This is why I hope producers stick to showing more natural training footage this year rather than staging cheesy skits. Lots of new pros to get to know, so little screentime!

Katya and Oksana appealed to me, they both seemed lovely.

Oh and I didn't like Natalie either in her first season but she's my fave now Aliona's gone

Far too soon to form an opinion.

Well.... that's just YOUR opinion!

Ha ha! Gorka doesn't appeal to me looks wise (not keen on extensive tattoos) but he seems to be a great dancer and personality.

I watched on BBC iPlayer which was running very slowly and so did not get a very good view as the picture kept blurring. I found the blondes difficult to distinguish with the blurring. . I like them all. I wouldn't say anyone stood out really. I have seen Neil and Katya dance live a quite a few times and like them a lot, although I am interested to see how well they transfer to small screen. I am also wondering how AJ will cope with teaching but we'll see. Fairly open minded.

I think Katya and Oksana were good choices personality wise for their relative celebs. I am expecting Katya to be quite a good teacher (she will need to be!) AJ was an obvious for his. I guess Gorka was for Tameka although I am hoping Tameka doesn't go full volume in her performance.

If anything, I'm warming up less to Neil's wife ; as far as the pro girls are concerned.

Aj reminds me of that pro we got once. ..he was also very young, got eliminated on Halloween week with his partner, he never made a strong impression imo....ughhh his name escapes me at the moment.

I like Oksana , Neil and Gorka the best so far.

BIB - that happens to me when i watch strictly on iplayer too - have you tried setting it to HD? Vastly improves things for me.

I think it's a shame that Neil and Katya have been brought on but not really used that much. I think Katya would have been great with someone like Judge Rinder - someone who can dance but also has a massive sense of fun. And Neil... not even a celeb. Hoping this means that they will still be continuing to compete.

The other pros I don't really know but at first glance I really really like Gorka (tattoos don't bother me haha - he's gorgeous!) and Oksana. I think she is a great choice for Judge Rinder - I think they'll be lots of fun together.

forgot AJ - clearly he has the dance skills, but interested to see how he will teach Claudia. I think his parents run a dance school and his dad teaches, correct me if I'm wrong, so I suppose he will have an understanding of the teaching side having grown up in that environment.

Jared. AJ's dancing will be much better quality.

Jarred Murillo.
Partnered with Tina O'Brien.

Thanks for the tip on iplayer!

I think Ed might have been less comfortable with Oksana. I think Katya is a bit better for him. Although I think Katya would be a sterner teacher, and so a Judge Rinder/Katya partnership might have been amusing.

Apart from the cute little lad I wouldn't recognise any of them if I fell over them in the street. Yet. That's fine. Early days.

If you look at their backgrounds they all have very good competition records. I am glad the BBC are doing this again. For quite a while it was have they done So they think you can dance, have they done Burn the Floor?

Neil and Katya its a shame he has no partner and she has Ed Balls (although he will be entertaining) but I think they are there for the foreseeable future. With AJ and Chloe, they done it all at Youth level, way better then Jared Murrillo. Again pity that Chloe does not have a partner but hopefully she will next year.

Give them a chance is what I say.

I mentioned on the 'launch' thread my disappointment that Neil didn't get a celeb. The pro's get the exposure but some regulars, in my opinion, don't impress that much. Giovanni for one...

I think they've really freshened things up already, loved the pro dance where they were all individually introduced with their credentials.

Hopefully Chloe will have a celeb partner next year.