Erin's Bush Tucker Trial

In case you missed it, Erin's husband posted this video a few months back of Erin eating a grasshopper while in Thailand.

Somehow I don't think Erin will be following Camilla into the jungle just yet...

Next! Greg Wallace and John Torode...

Masterchef stars Greg Wallace and John Torode talk to DigitalSpy about rumours linking them with Strictly Come Dancing, and why they had to say no.

Here Cams The Bride

Big congratulations to Camilla Dallerup who married Kevin Sacre in Ibiza on Wednesday.

Camilla looked radient and relaxed in pictures in the Daily Mail.

Camilla and Kevin met when both were contestants on The Underdog Show, and Kevin's cainaine partner from the show, Sven now lives with the pair.

A Fond Farewell To Matthew And Lilia

Matthew Cutler and Lilia Kopylova have both chosen to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

The pair have declined to join the proposed dance group and are hanging up their shoes.

A BBC press release suggested that both may still be a part of the show through choreography and guest appearances.

Matthew stated: "I've absolutely loved my time on Strictly, and now is a good time to focus on developing new areas of my career. I'm excited about having more time to commit to new projects and, of course, still having a hand in Strictly without all the training!"

Lilia said: "I've had six brilliant series on the show, I will miss it, but I am looking forward to new opportunities ahead. Of course I will be there to support Darren and all of my fellow professionals."

It's interetsing that Lilia is leaving but Darren is not. One would have presumed they'd do the same, since they can't work together on other things if one is still committed to the show.

Ian and Darren have comitted to the show once again, despite not being part of the competiton. They will form part of a professional dance group, along with four new dancers who are still yet to be announced.

Winkletoes Fronts Sunday Shows

Claudia Winkleman has landed the job of Sunday show host, as Brucie takes a step back from Strictly.

According to The Sun, the show will be pre-recorded after the main show just as it was before, but Claudia will step in allowing Bruce to head home.

A souce told the paper: "Claudia is the perfect choice as she already has a history with Strictly. It will be all about girl power with Tess at the helm as well."

Claudia did a good job sitting in for Bruce when he was off sick last year, so she's a natual choice.

But I still strongly disagree with the Sunday shows. I agree that having it all in one was too long, but a late Saturday results show was so much more compelling. Still, I talked about my opinions on the Sunday shows a couple of weeks back, so I'm not going to rehash it again.

Argen-Tina-n Tango?

Could Tina O'Brien be heading for Strictly?

According the The Mirror, the former Coronation Street actress has agreed to take part. A source told the paper: "Tina has already had an amazing career but is still very young and will be determined to do well. She also split from her partner Ryan Thomas last year and will have no problems getting up close and personal with her dance partner."

Jennifer Metcalfe For Strictly?

Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe has been approached to take part in Strictly Come Dancing.

A source told The Sun: "They really want Jen because she'd look amazing on the dancefloor. She's really keen, the only problem is her Hollyoaks schedule."

Jennifer is not the only Hollyoaks actress linked with the series. Carley Stenson has also been linked with the show.

Bruno To Take On Bruno?

Former heavyweight boxer Frank Bruno could be readying himself to take on judging heavyweight Bruno Tonioli, as he is rumoured to be on the Strictly Come Dancing wish list.

A soure told the Sunday Mirror: "Frank is one of the country's best-loved celebrities. He is still very fit and trains every day so the gruelling schedule of Strictly wouldn't be a problem for him. The producers have made getting Frank onto the show their No 1 priority."

Let's hope Frank has more dancing talent than fellow boxers Joe Calzaghe or Dancing With The Stars' Evander Holyfield.

Strictly World Cup

To relieve the miserable boredom of the World Cup, fellow Strictly blogger Monkseal set up a World Cup of Strictly, to decide the all time best Strictly participant.

It's semi-final time, and Monkseal asked me to write a supporting statement for one of the remaining celebrities. I'm sure you can guess which jiving dynamo I chose.

Pop over to Monkseal's blog to read what I said and cast your vote (for Jill!).

And make sure you follow Monkseal on Twitter. If you watch any of the reality shows, he'll keep you laughing all year through.

Time Running Out For Pros

Time is running out for the pros who were demoted to the proposed demonstration group.

According to the News Of The World, the producers have issued an ultimatium to the four pros - Darren, Lilia, Ian and Matthew - to sign their Strictly contracts this week, or they will no longer be a pert of the show.

To be fair, the four have had pleanty of thinking time now. It will be interesting to see what they all decide.

Gavin And Felicity

More Strictly rumours are starting as we get closer to the announcement (which will probably be next month).

According to The Sun, latest to join the list are Welsh rugby player Gavin Henson and actress Felicity Kendal.

Gavin would join a long list of rugby stars to take to the floor - Martin Offiah, Matt Dawson, Kenny Logan, Austin Healey - all of whom have done pretty well on the show.

Felicity Kendal is most famous for her roles in 1970s sitcom The Good Life and gentle detective drama Rosemary & Thyme. She's always been considered a bit of a sex symbol, and could turn out to be a Cherie Lunghi.

Interestingly, The Sun also reports that the salary scale will change this year. Instead of a flat fee for participating, the celebrities will earn more the longer they stay in the show. I think this is a good idea. Those that stay in the longest work the hardest. And it would make someone think long and hard before taking the coward's way out and 'doing a Sergeant'.

Bruce To Reduce Strictly Role, Sundays Return

Bruce is looking to reduce his hours on Strictly Come Dancing and being a smaller part of the show.

The Daily Mail reports that the loathsome Sunday results shows are set to return, and it is likely that presenting duties for these will be handed to someone else, possibly Graham Norton.

A source told the paper: "Bruce has not signed his contract yet, but it all looks very positive. We are still looking at some scheduling issues that would see Bruce take a reduced role on the show. But if this happens, he will still be very much part of the series. He is integral to Strictly."

As I've maintained, I have no issue with Bruce or his involvement in the show.

I do, however, have MAJOR issues with the proposed return of the universally unpopular Sunday results show.

I don't know a single person who enjoyed the results process during the previous period of Sunday shows.

Firstly, it was ridiculous trying to portray the results show as a different day, when it was common knowledge that it was pre-recorded. This also leads to the element of drama being lost - would you want to watch a pre-recorded World Cup match even if you didn't know the result??

Second, the internet was littered with spoilers from those who had been in the audience. I preferred not to know the result and watch it 'as live', which meant Sundays were spent avoiding any site which might possibly give the result away. It was not only forums to avoid - my friends' Facebook status ruined things for me as they voiced their joy or pain at the removal of their favourites on a Sunday morning.

I really cannot understand why they moved away from the original format, with a results show later on Saturday evening. The break between the shows allowed viewers to have a break to vote (meaning they weren't distracted during the show) and come back later for the conclusion. Things were kept live and fresh.

Bruce for main show and someone else for results is fine, but PLEASE don't make us endure pre-recorded Sundays again.

I suppose the tolerable solution would be to make Sundays live...

Derek To Guest On Strictly

Derek Hough will be appearing as a guest on Strictly this year, possibly appearing with his recent Dancing With The Stars partner Nicole Scherzinger if she is available.

A source told The Sun: "He's excited about taking part."

I'm starting to struggle to understand why the press are so fixated with Derek. Yes, he is a great dancer, but does that warrent all the press attention? It can only be because of the Cheryl Cole connection.

Vincent & Flavia Talk About The Upcoming Series

Vincent & Flavia talk to What's On TV about what to expect from the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Anton In The Arctic

Answers on a postacard, please...

Random Videos

I love YouTube because it allows you behind (usually) closed doors.

Here is an Argentine Tango performance Vincent & Flavia gave at the Boots Christmas press launch last year.



And here is a Cha Cha that Ian & Camilla performed for Microsoft (needless to say, I was rather gutted when I heard that one of my former employers also hired Ian & Camilla for an event).

Burn The Floor Promo

Whilst I watched this promo a couple of weeks back, I have just realised that I didn't post it here. Epic fail!

So here is a promo for Burn The Floor, featuring Ali & Brian. I have my tickets booked and will see the show in a couple of weeks. Can't wait!

Brucie Dotting Is And Crossing Ts

Bruce Forsyth is close to closing his contract for the upcoming series of Strictly.

The Sun quotes an interview Bruce gave to the Radio Times in which he said: "I have a couple more meetings, but it's going well. I'm not doing a Christine Bleakley."

And once again, it's not all about money for Bruce: "I took a cut last year before anyone else. If they want me to this year, I will, but I've never thought about it."

Camilla Dallerup: "Are You Serious?"

Camilla may have left Strictly Come Dancing before the last series, but she'll always be a part of the show to me.

Camilla gave a very quick interview to The Independent. It's a super-fast read in which we learn that Camilla says "Are you serious?" too often, likes wearing wellies, thinks the best age to be is in your 30s (good girl!), and a common misconception is that she always wears sequins.

Well worth a read. In fact, I like to see all the pros answer these questions.

Craig: Strictly Is A Saturday Job

Craig Revel Horwood has stated that he treats Strictly as a Saturday job, and not a career.

STV quotes an interview Craig gave to OK! magazine: "Strictly is a three or four-month commitment for the professional dancers and celebs. It's a Saturday job for the judges - a great format and a fun thing to do, but it's not a career move. I get booked up to two years in advance for choreography and theatre directing - that's my real job."

And like Len, Craig also thinks Derek Hough would have been a good addition to the Strictly line-up: "Not only is he gorgeous, but he's a brilliant dancer, a fantastic teacher and an amazing choreographer - you don't usually get that in one package. I have met him, but it's Bruno who knows him very well. It was Bruno who suggested Derek to Cheryl for the Parachute video."

Pammie Come Dancing?

Pamela Anderson would like to follow up her time on Dancing With The Stars with a stint on Strictly Come Dancing.

Acording to the News Of The World's Fabulous magazine she would like to take part (although there isn't actually a quote from Pamela saying as much).

I don't think anyone who has taken part in an international version of the show should be allowed to participate in Strictly. It's simply not fair. End of.

Robin Excited About Joining Strictly

New Strictly pro Robin Windsor is excited about joining the show.

DigitalSpy reports that he told Dance Today magazine: "I've always wanted to do Strictly Come Dancing. It's something that they've always had intentions of, but I wasn't sure what they would think of me because I don't look like your conventional ballroom dancer and that kind of restricted me from applying before."

And who would he like to be partnered with?: "I'd love to have Victoria Beckham. I'm sure that one comes up many, many times. But if we could go back in any time, I would love to partner up with an old school, famous actress such as, back in her day, someone like Elizabeth Taylor, who's got this grace and elegance and would be able to create some passion with it as well."

Well, yes, Brendan has stated before that he'd like to partner Posh. And the producers are keen to sign her, too.

TV Choice Awards: Vote For Strictly

It's your last chance to vote for Strictly Come Dancing in the TV Choice awards. Voting closes at midnight tomorrow.

VOTE NOW!

Strictly is once again up for Best Talent Show, against Britain's Got Talent, Dancing On Ice and The X Factor.

Get voting. Come on! Do it for Auntie and get the BBC the recognition it deserves for our favourite show.

Wilnelia Would Like To Do Strictly

Wilnelia Forsyth, wife of Bruce, has revealed that she would love to participate in Strictly Come Dancing.

The Metro reports that the former Miss World told the TV Times: "Being Latin, dancing is in my blood, so I'd love to go on the show. I'd have to give some earplugs to Bruce when the judges started saying horrible things about me though!"

Maybe Claudia can arrange a spin for her on a Friday on It Takes Two?

Ali Calls In Hypnotherapist

Former Strictly participant Ali Bastian has called upon the expertise of a hypnotherapist to help her with stage fright, ahead of the opening of Burn The Floor later this month.

A source told the Daily Record: "There are a lot of really serious dancers on Burn The Floor and, while Ali has proved herself to have what it takes, it's worth remembering she was an actress until not so long ago. She's got a bit of stage fright ahead of the show and she feels she just needs a little bit of help to make sure her mind is in the right place."

It must be a mix of excitement and intimidation for Ali being in a show like Burn The Floor. But I'm sure she'll do a grand job.

Ann Widdecombe For Strictly?

Ann Widdecombe is being tipped to join Strictly Come Dancing this year.

Acording to the Daily Mail she is in talks to be a part of the show. However, she told the paper: "I'm not able to talk about appearing on it at the moment."

She claims that seeing John Sergeant take part made her think about taking part: "I've always thought that cavorting around with those frightfully elegant mortals, I'd look a complete idiot. But what I've realised from John's performance is they do let you go at your own pace. If I'm allowed to go at my own pace, it's not such a horrible thought."

I think Ann would be brilliant. Even if you do not agree with her political views, she is a very entertaining lady - engaging and witty. With the right partner, I think she'd be fantastic to watch.

Congratulations Brendan!

Brendan Cole has married his girlfriend Zoe Hobbs after a two-year courtship.

The wedding was attended by Strictly stars Anton, Erin, Craig, Karen and Bruce, and his former partner Jo Wood.

Hello! magazine was there to capture the day's action, and photos will be in this week's issue.

Ali: Strictly Will "Go From Strength To Strength"

Ali Bastian believes that Strictly will continue to be successful, despite big changes which included the departure of her Strictly partner and boyfriend Brian Fortuna.

She told the Daily Star: “I absolutely respect Brian’s decision…and I’ll be really interested to see how the show goes. To be honest, it’s such a great show and it’s got such a charm that I think it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Arlene Will Not Be Back

Arlene Phillips has confirmed that she will not be a part of Strictly's next arena tour.

She told the Daily Star: “I definitely won’t be going back for it – oh no! I did it last year because I’d already committed to it. I assumed I’d be back for the next series so I agreed to do the tour. But that was then.”

It will be interesting to see if the tour's producers do anything, or just go with the three men as before. It's unlikely that Alesha will be available, as she'll be wanting to do more album promotion once Strictly is over.

More Pro Tour Reviews

Even though it feels like about 100 years since I saw the pro tour, it is still making its way around the country.

Here is a review from the Worcester News.

More to follow...