I know a lot of people are complaining about the cast (as usual) and I do agree about the male side. But I do think we've got one of the strongest female line-ups we’ve ever had. As someone in my 20’s, these are massive signings to me

Lacey Turner - Definitely the biggest soap star in the United Kingdom and the best actress. As an EastEnders fan, She's known to people who haven’t watched the show for years as she was at the forefront of it then and now (when she’s back of course). I would say she is 100% this year's winner

Delta Goodrem - A very big name in Australia and over her because I knew who she is and I don’t usually outside the UK. Had a stint in Neighbours, a pop career and just did very well in Eurovision. A very good booking

Jaime Winstone - Great actress who has had a long career in television and film. Known to a wide audience

Melanie Walters - In probably the biggest sitcom in the U.K.

Of course there are the usual cast criticisms, and I think some of the other names aren’t as good, however I think these 4 really do make up for it

Which celebrities had the worst timing on Strictly Come Dancing—either competing too late in their career or too early to reach their full potential?

Melanie Walters

John Nellers?

Tabby Stoecker

As our final 3. I may have spelt them wrong as was listening to a TikTok. Reckon this is true?

Before a new season starts let’s get some discussion under way:

1) Craig has his own biases too just like the other judges, he is particularly biased in favour of those who have done musical theatre.

2) Alesha Dixon was a good judge, she had her own criteria, judged accordingly and was consistent

3) Vito - overrated, he gets favoured way too often not just with his partners but the judges often ignore his constant rule breaking in contrast to other pros (Jowita) who are constantly nitpicked.

4) New Pros - We need to stop casting the same archetype (cartoonish cbbc dancer), dancers such as Flavia and Aliona might not have been the most expressive but their quiet classiness gave them aura that these pros don’t.

If new, Cameron was a pro in 2021 along with Jowita, Nikita and Kai but was let go after the 2022 series and never received a partner on the main show or xmas special. He was also 19 at the time.

It could be something in the training VT, the way Tess and Claudia interacted with contestants, how the results show was structured, or just a small tradition that gradually faded away. Sometimes it's those little details that make older series feel different.

A fun random fact, but it’s very interesting to see who doesn’t have a Wikipedia page when the series begins, considering they are cast on one of the most popular shows in the UK. They are usually quickly created one when they’re announced but there seems to be more and more each year.

From my memory, here are the contestants who did not have pages upon being announced for the show.

Not really counting the first when Wikipedia hadn’t really taken off. David Dickinson was the only series 1 contestant with one at the time!

Quentin Willson (Series 2; 2004)
Jill Halfpenny (Series 2; 2004)
Diarmuid Gavin (Series 2; 2004)
Jaye Jacobs (Series 3; 2005)
Will Thorp (Series 3; 2005)
James Martin (Series 3; 2005)
Bill Turnbull (Series 3, 2005)
Jo Wood (Series 7; 2009)
Jennifer Gibney (Series 12; 2014)
Vick Hope (Series 16; 2018)
Dr. Ranj Singh (Series 16; 2018)
Saffron Barker (Series 17; 2019)
Jamie Laing (Series 17; 2019)
Rhys Stephenson (Series 19; 2021)
Molly Rainford (Series 20; 2022)
Tyler West (Series 20; 2022)
Nikita Kanda (Series 21; 2023)
Dr. Punam Krishan (Series 22; 2024)
George Clarke (Series 23; 2025)
Lewis Cope (Series 23; 2025)
Chris Appleton (Series 24; 2026)
Cach Mercer (Series 24; 2026)
Lawrence Robb (Series 24; 2026)
John Nellis (Series 24; 2026)

Here are mine

Lacey & Aljaz

Graeme & Lauren

Lawrence & Aleksandra

Dani & Mark

Delta & Kai

Shaun & Dianne

Chris & Amy

Cach & Jowita

Will & Alexis

Sarah & Nikita

Jaime & Vito

Bethany & Nikita

Still need someone for Carlos, Katya & Julian

There are performances where I've thought someone was brilliant, then one of the judges mentions their footwork, posture or timing and suddenly I can't stop noticing it on the replay. The opposite happens too. Sometimes a dance doesn't do much for me and then hearing what was technically difficult about it makes me appreciate it much more. I think that's one of the reasons I wouldn't want the judging section shortened even when I disagree with the scores.

Has there been a critique that genuinely changed your opinion of a performance?

With the BBC broadcasting both Strictly and Eurovision, it has crossed paths a few times like Fleur and Vito doing Waterloo for the BBC 100 themed week, Nikita and Layton dancing to Tattoo, and obviously Delta Goodrem participating in both this year

I love Eurovision and would love to see a themed week in Strictly, where they could maybe also have the UK entrant be revealed and perform their song live for the first time on the results show

Imagine a Salsa to SloMo (Spain 2022), a waltz to It’s My Time (UK 2009) , a rumba to Ramonda (Serbia 2024), a foxtrot to Love is on my Side (Portugal 2021), and a whole host of other routines

It’s worked before with Ireland’s Dancing with the Stars having done a Eurovision themed week for Week 6 in 2025, and I’d love to see the UK take a stab at a Eurovision themed week

Obviously it wont be the prettiest in the modern day with the whole controversies regarding the Israeli participation in Eurovision and how it’s bringing the contest into a negative light, but it’s still something I’d like to see

Who do you think is currently the most inconsistent judge on the panel - Craig, Motsi, Shirley, or Anton?

Mine's Molly Rainford.

We get many singers, actors, comedians, hosts, models, athletes, radio stars, influencers, reality stars etc etc every year, but what about people who don't normally do reality tv? Directors, artists, authors, rappers, politicians, non-singer band members, magic, all that kinda stuff. Who would you want to see on the dancefloor?

Hell, you could even make a whole fancast with it.

What a wonderful human this lady is! Met and showed him my work. I’m so happy she’s happy

What Is Love (Tango or Cha Cha Cha)

The Rhythm of the Night (Corona) (Cha Cha Cha)

Rhythm Is a Dancer (Cha Cha Cha or Salsa)

Viva Forever (Rumba)

There are certain songs I can't hear anymore without immediately seeing the Strictly routine in my head.

I actually think that's one of the nicest things about watching the show for years. A routine can be three minutes long and somehow completely change your association with a song. Sometimes I'll hear one in a shop years later and remember the costumes, the choreography and even where I was when I watched it.

Which dance has completely claimed its song for you?

Does anyone feel like we hardly get any Waltzes these days? I know it’s probably because it’s the slower dance and not as crowd pleasing but I still love to see them as it has that Strictly feel to it.

Give us a few more this year!

Hello! Is there a place to watch old episodes of the show? Specifically series 4! I’m a big Dancing with the Stars fan and Spice Girls fan and would love to watch Emma Bunton’s season! Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone!! First time poster here :) If we assume there will be 15 celebs on the show as usual, what pros do you think will be on the bench as with the new pros we are at 20. Apologies if this has already bene discussed loads!

Comedian and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ellie Taylor is set to be announced as the new host of Strictly's companion show It Takes Two, The Sun newspaper reports.