2024: The Pairings

I have struggled to decide if I should retire my blog. I still love Strictly, and having watched Saturday’s programme, I’m all in once again, but writing thoughts every week is becoming a chore that I endure, rather than a pleasure. The world has changed, too. If I was coming to Strictly now, I’d probably have a podcast. There was a point a few years back when I thought about starting one. But here I am, ready to talk about this year’s pairings and still not 100% sure if I really want to make this commitment.

I enjoyed the pairing show immensely. It’s a really interesting cast, and I’m already enjoying the pairings.

Chris McCausland & Dianne Buswell – Chris has already proven to be a bit of a loose cannon on a pre-recorded show, so I can’t wait to see what he says on the live shows. It’s clear from the group number that Chris is not natural dancer. I’m ready and waiting for Craig to make a comment about some lack of ability being a bigger disability than his lack of sight. I presume Dianne still has a massive fan base on social media, and this will probably keep them in for a while.
 
Wynne Evans & Katya Jones – Did Wynne have an argument with the wardrobe department? He definitely had the worst threads of the group! Katya’s clever choreography will probably take Wynne further than he might go with someone else. This pairing doesn’t excite me like some of the others.
 
Shayne Ward & Nancy Xu – I keep forgetting who Shayne is. He looks so different to the guy I remember from The X Factor and Rock of Ages. I think it’s a good opportunity for him to elevate his profile again. Nancy took Will Mellor a long way, and I expect Shayne to have a similar safari.
 
Jamie Borthwick & Michelle Tsiakkas – Michelle has been given a real opportunity to show us what she can do. Jamie proved on the Christmas special that he is very capable, so she should have an easy time getting him to a good standard. It could be a lot of pressure. I hope she really shines.
 
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał – Pete was definitely the moodiest looking one on the launch show. He is going to need a bit more than ‘blue steel’ to get through until Christmas. I think he’ll be mid-table.
 
Montell Douglass & Johannes Radebe – Let the Fire puns commence! This team if definitely going to be fire, though. Their chemistry bounced off the screen. I have a feeling already that she is going to get similar comments about ‘attack’ as Fleur. I expect fantastic latin, but I hope she can bring some elegant ballroom numbers as well.
 
Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin – Sam looked a little lost at times in the group number, so I think she might have to rely on personality on the dancefloor. I get the impression that it’s not going to come naturally to her. Nikita is a very patient partner, though. I think they’ll have fun. I’m expecting Angela & Carlos energy here.
 
JB Gill & Amy Dowden – I really don’t expect anyone but Amy winning this year, and I think JB can absolutely facilitate that. He’s a good mover, and as long as he doesn’t get an Aston wig of doom or get done a disservice by the judges, I think he’ll be around until the end. I also think JB has a bit more pizazz than the usual ‘nice guy’ celebrities that come Amy’s way.
 
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones – Toyah is either going to be a revelation (think Debbie McGee) or she going to become annoying quickly. I’m really glad to see Neil back with a partner, but I don’t think everyone ‘gets’ him. I think their success will depend on their chemistry, and how much the public warms to them.
 
Sarah Hadland & Vito Coppola – This couple is going to be chaos. Sarah is bonkers and paired with Vito’s rambling streams of consciousness this couple is going to do well in the personality contest. I have no idea if she can dance, but I’m going to enjoy whatever they bring to the floor.
 
Tasha Ghouri & Aljaž Škorjanec – Tasha is probably one of the least well-known of the participants, but she seems sweet, and she is going to do well with Aljaž, whom everyone is happy to see back on the show. Rose proved that having a hearing impairment is no barrier on Strictly, and Aljaž is a strong lead. Bring on the ITT captions!
 
Punam Krishan & Gorka Márquez – Punam is giving me dark horse vibes. I think she’ll be secretly a bit good. Gorka can send himself up as well as being serious, and if they can straddle that line I think they’ll be fun.
 
Paul Merson & Karen Hauer – Aren’t we at the end yet? The live shows are going to be long… Poor Karen. Has she ever had a ringer? She’s probably got her work cut out again. Paul doesn’t seem like he’ll be a natural. He’ll get the dad votes.
 
Tom Dean & Nadiya Bychkova – Tom looks as though he’ll do OK, but I think he might get lost in the crowd here. He’s going to have to work hard to get votes and be memorable.
 
Nick Knowles & Luba Mushtuk – Nick always seems to be Marmite with the public. Some people seem to have an irrational dislike for him. He’s been omnipresent on our screens for 20+ years, so everyone will know who he is. I fear he might be a bit of a dad dancer, and I wonder if he might have been a better contestant 10 years ago than he will be now.
 
Having Amy back, giving Neil a partner for the first time in years and giving Michelle her first partner means that three pros find themselves on the subs bench. Sadly, despite a truly brilliant debut, Lauren does not have a partner this year. Carlos and Kai also have to sit out. It’s unfortunate, but better that than 18 couples!
 
So, there we go. Fifteen couples, full of hope and possibilities. I don’t usually make predictions, but I expect to be seeing JB and Montell dancing in December. Probably Jamie too. I can’t wait to see how this tuns out.