Friday Thoughts: Week 1

I can't believe Strictly is back. But then, I can't believe how nice the weather is either...

Anyway, time to kick off this year's musings with some Friday Thoughts (of 'foughts' in an Arlene alliteration tribute) - the first seven couples. Each week I'll be posting my thoughts on the night before. Two installments this week.

Holly's cha cha performance was nervous and tentative. You can see that she has lots of potential. It's all there. But she let the nerves take over. She needs to give it some punch, some attack. Her eyeline was down, and she looked like she wanted to blend into the background. Her knees were a bit gangly too. She reminded me of Lisa Snowdon, a bit. I think she'll get there. She and Artem should be a great team.

Dan danced solo at the top of the waltz routine. That was some brave choreography from Katya! But he did a good job of it. Dan has lovely posture. The routine was solid and Dan looked comfortable on the dancefloor. All of the basics were covered - both in terms of choreography and technique. A solid start.

Lulu & Brendan did not make a solid start. In fact, it was a very disappointing start. Lulu was all over the shop. Her timing was off, and then she forgot the routine. She gets bonus points for her confident performance. I know it's only week 1, but she really needs to up her game. The cha cha was blah blah.

Audley was quite graceful for such a big chap. He was a little flat footed and flex kneed, but Natalie has made a good start with his waltz. I just wish he had smiled more. He has a lovely smile, and needs to make sure he makes use of it.

I loved Robbie's attitude. He gave it some. He had a few good moves, but it was a bit like posing by numbers. Not much cha cha content. Hit post here, hit pose there to the point of almost being wooden. No disrespect to Ola, but she quite often dances around a stationary partner. It was clever at first, but now I can see through it. It'll be interesting to see how he fares with a more subdued ballroom number.

Anita & Robin were so elegant. As the judges remarked, she needs to watch her headline. She looked slightly awkward on the underarm turns. That aside, the whole thing was divine. Robin has a flair for waltz. Anita was just gorgeous. I have to worry about her latin. I hope she can pull that off too.

Russell & Flavia were wonderful. The routine, and its star, had great personality. It was as camp as Christmas. Brilliant. Russell has a good sense of timing and rhythm. I think he'll go a fair way in the competition. He seems to have won everyone over already. He has a cha cha charm that will take him further than his talent will. I loved him, and I can't wait to see more.

Bring on tomorrow...

Here are the videos...

Holly & Artem



Dan & Katya



Lulu & Brendan



Audley & Natalie



Robbie & Ola



Anita & Robin



Russell & Flavia

Lulu: “The Wardrobe Department Are Being Extremely Patient"

Lulu is keeping her body covered up on Strictly, and she wants to ensure all of her outfits are appropriate for her age.

She told the Daily Record: “I don’t like tight things over my bust and over my waist and whole body. It doesn’t work for someone my age or my shape. It’s not right for someone my age to wear those tight, tight things from the bust down.”

She's not really a sequin kid of girl, either: “The wardrobe department are being extremely patient. Like the dancing, I’m trying to find myself. I feel like a baby who is just making her first steps. It’s brand new to me. I’ve never studied dance or just done sequins.”

She'll soon change her mind. They always do...

Final Training Videos

Here are the last of the training videos.

Audley & Natalie



Russell & Flavia



Holly & Artem



Alex & James

Pamela's Advice

Pamela Stephenson has written a lengthy piece for the Daily Mail all about Strictly ("I think I actually understand Strictly mania."), her relationship with James ("James and I have not spoken since the Strictly Tour. No particular reason; that’s just the way it is.") and the cliches ("How many years in a row, I wonder, has Len Goodman proclaimed that ‘This season has the best line-up ever!’?").

It's worth a read.

Pamela also offers advice to this year's eager, nervous crop:

1) Exfoliate to the max (I recommend wire brush and Dettol). If not, by the fourth spray-tan your skin will resemble a grouse moor in August.
2) While being spray-tanned, wear the paper g-string provided. Your bits will not look good in bright orange.
3) Get ready to lose a lot of hair. No head can survive mega abuse via hot irons, extensions and cat fights with fellow-contestants.
4) As Friday dawns, remove every morsel of body-hair. Strictly is a no-fluff zone.
5) Do not bed your pro partner. He or she will flirt outrageously with you, but they don’t really fancy you; they just want to win.
6) If you break a leg, rib or neck, don’t complain.
7) If you break a fingernail, shriek to high heaven.
8) Watch where the sound people put your mic — right bra cup for girls, ‘undressed side’ for boys. Even yourself up or you’ll tip over.
9) One pair of false eyelashes is never enough.
10) One pair of knickers is never enough.
11) When the Strictly music starts for the live show, you’re going to need the loo. It’s the best laxative known to man. I recommend nil by mouth from Monday.
12) If you think you look like a drag queen, well duh! Get over yourself.

Rory Is Very Tired

Rory Bremner has admitted that he is very tired after all of the training.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "I feel a bit like a train wreck. But we’re surviving.”

Will he do impressions on Strictly?: “I tend to do impressions more when I’m nervous. I use them as a sort of defence mechanism. So if I’m particularly nervous it becomes a kind of impressionist’s Tourette’s.”

I'd expect to hear lots then!

Chris Hollins Would Love To Be The Next Brucie

Vernon Kay might have some competition for Bruce's presenting job if ever Bruce leaves.

Chris Hollins has admitted that presenting Strictly would be his dream job. He told DigitalSpy: "Do you know what, I would love to do that. That would be a dream come true. Not only to follow in Sir Brucie's footsteps - he's a big hero of mine - but just to host one of the best shows on telly. Of course, I'd love it."

Chris still loves Strictly, even though it's two years since he started his own Strictly journey (first 2011 use of the 'J' word! - L): "I'll never ever get sick of talking about Strictly Come Dancing though. It is and was an amazing programme to work on. I loved every single second of it and wish I could do it all over again. But it's time for everyone else to have a go. It is still very weird though when people ask me things like, 'How good a dancer do you think Edwina Currie will be?' How on Earth would I know?"

Harry & Aliona In Training

I so want to call this couple Harry & Ali...

Edwina: "One Of The Oldies Will Make The Final"

Edwina Currie thinks that one of the older contestants has a good chance of doing well this year.

Edwina told the Manchester Evening News: “I’m convinved that one of the oldies will make the final this year. There are four of us over 60 and it’s a really good mix, a much more natural spread of ages. I’ve heard Anita Dobson could be the one to watch, she’s a very natural dancer. And Lulu is just fabulous.”

Personally, I couldn't take my eyes off Anita during the group dance...

Edwina is already losing weight through training: “I’ve already lost 5lbs, so I’m getting closer to my partner’s weight! The thing is, the TV cameras make you look 10lbs heavier from the off.”

Chelsee & Pasha Training Video

Here is a look at Chelsee & Pasha in training...

Harry Already "Drained"

Harry Judd started training after everyone else, as he already has experience from last year's Children In Need special, but he is already feeling drained.

His McFly bandmate, Danny Jones, told the Daily Star Sunday: “I spoke to him yesterday and he said he was mentally and physically drained. He says it’s exhausting and he’s only just started. He’s already aching a bit and he’s got a bad back from one of the moves."

Danny doesn't think it's fair that Harry has been stoppd a week's training. He said: “Some of the other contestants have danced before too. Harry doesn’t come from a stage background so he’s not an expert like people are making him out to be. In fact, he dances like ‘Uncle Knobhead’ when he’s clubbing or at parties. He’s only just started training. Harry told me he’s a bit stressed about it but he doesn’t really ever moan. He just gets on with it. He is extremely competitive and committed though. He won’t want to lose so he’s definitely in it to win it.”

I don't think Harry has anything to worry about. Kara was docked a week's training for the same reason last year, and she went on to win.

Training Videos So Far...

As many of you will know, I have been on holiday, so there have been a lack of updates in the past few weeks. But now I'm back to let you know I can really shake 'em down (Christopher Parket flashback!).

Here are the training videos so far...

Nancy & Anton



Dan & Katya



Robbiw & Ola



Anita & Robin



Jason & Kristina



Edwina & Vincent



Rory & Erin



Lulu & Brendan



Look out for more in the coming week.

Here We Go! Strictly 2011 Is Here!

The BBC has announced the line-up for Strictly Come Dancing series 9. For anyone who has been reading the tabloids in recent weeks, there are no surprises.

Here are the celebrities taking part and a few opinions about each, starting with the girls:

I think Edwina Currie will be like Marmite. People will either love her or hate her. I suspect she might have a few moves.

Nancy Dell’Olio is really only famous for being Sven-Göran Eriksson’s ex-girlfriend (and Trevor Nunn’s ex-girlfriend more recently). But then that was all Jo Wood was famous for, and she ended up becoming a favourite with the nation.

Anita Dobson is Angie Watts, the queen of Albert Square. It will be great to see her back on TV after all these years. I’m hoping she’ll be classy and elegant – a Cherie Lunghi type.

Chelsee Healey is following in Tina O’Brien’s footsteps, both having appeared in Waterloo Road. She is the youngest participant this year, but age doesn’t always mean dance talent. Unlike many other young participants, she is not a stage school kid.

Alex Jones is the worst kept secret of the series. She’s been around dance having presented Let’s Dance For Comic Relief (if you can call that ‘dancing’). Will any of it have rubbed off on her?

I love Lulu, and I’m sure I’m not alone. She was an absolute legend on Let’s Dance For Comic Relief, and was robbed of a place in the final in my opinion. She proved that she has bags of energy. I’m hoping she can do it for the older ladies.

I would expect Holly Valance to be good. She’s a former popstar who will have learned choreography in her past.

On to the boys:

Rory Bremner will be looking to make a good impression on the judges (geddit?). He stands straight when he’s on TV, so he should have decent posture. At least he does a decent Brucie impression. No doubt he is working on his Bruno as we speak (it can’t be any worse than Jon Culshaw’s).

I am looking forward to seeing Jason Donovan. He should have no trouble, being a West End star already in Priscilla and Joseph. He will have the theatre work ethic and should have musicality built in. Can’t wait to see him.

Will Russell Grant be the next Ann Widdecombe?

Boxers don’t have a great track-record for dancing. Joe Calzaghe. Evander Hollyfield. It’s surprising considering the nippy footwork boxing requires. Maybe Audley Harrison can buck the trend.

Harry Judd has already proved his mettle, having won last year’s Children In Need special. Kara did a charity special and went on to win the main series. She was also help back a week’s training because of it. I wonder if the same will happen to Harry. With the McFy vote behind him, he should make it through quite a way.

Daniel Lobb (he’s off Daybreak) is a former tennis player. Like boxers, they also don’t have a great track record. Martina Hingis. Andrew Castle. Maybe Dan can fly the flag for them.

Despite denying rumours of his participation, Robbie Savage will be a part of the show. Not sure why he felt the need to deny it, while other just kept stchum. Footballers have had mixed fortunes on Strictly, but I have a feeling he might enjoy a sequin or two.

So there you have it!



Tune in to BBC One on Saturday at 6.10pm on Saturday night to see who each celebrity will be partnered with.

Is This The Line-up?

There has been no official announcement from the BBC yet, but yesterday's Sun published a list of celebrites it claims is the lineup.

Those said to be taking part are:

Edwina Currie
Nancy Dell'Olio
Alex Jones
Jason Donovan
Russell Grant
Holly Valance
Anita Dobson
Audley Harrison
Dan Lobb
Rory Bremner
Harry Judd
Chelsee Healey
Lulu

This is a list of 13, so even if this is right, there must be one more to come.

There are 4 bus pass holders in this list (aged 60+), and the youngest is Chelsee at 23.

Congratulations, Chris!

Congratulations to 2009 Strictly champion Chris Hollins, who recently proposed to his girlfriend of four years, Sarah.

He told the Daily Mail: "We were on holiday in Sardinia when I got down on bended knee. I was delighted when Sarah said 'Yes'."