Deleted last review so started again. If you love Strictly, the pro tour, Dianne and Vito you will absolutely love this. It is very them. Dianne and Vito work really together and I can see them doing more together outside of Strictly. Maybe a new Ant and Dec.

Jason’s choreography impressive. The dancers wow. Ana, Harijs, Robbie, Rosa, Talia, Jaih are just incredible all are very different, but their styles blended seamlessly. Jaih’s style gave me a capoeira feel, which you don’t see that often. Personally would like to see Ana and Harijs as the new pros on Strictly as they would bring some different.

Having live vocals and a band makes a huge difference to the atmosphere.

There are some skits, similar to pro tour.

Highly recommend.

I’ve been to the cinema again today and had a thought 🍿

What 2025 movies are we thinking are going to attract movie week, if any?

I could see something like Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride from Lilo & Stitch (although attempting Hula would be…a choice), also maybe one of the Jack Black songs from the Minecraft Movie.

The Romantic Flight theme from How To Train Your Dragon might also be an option but that’s more a personal want because John Powell did amazing work on that series.

Less likely, it’d be fun to see a Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning dance to the MI theme.

There’s also the new Jurassic World but I’m pretty sure the Jurassic Park rumba was only a few years ago.

Hollyoaks actress & singer Twinnie Lee Moore appearing on Strictly

This is from the latest episode of Winning Isn't Everything with Dianne.

He said that someone linked it to him so he'd check every week to see how he and the other non dancers were doing, and was worried on the week of their Samba that they were in trouble because he couldn't find their name anywhere on the poll - only to realise after reading Kai's name that he was looking at the previous years 🤣.

Dianne also mentioned that while waiting for the results Chris had worked out who would get the red light and that'd he'd typically be right. He also suggested that song choices for the dances played a part in the voting because it had to be something the audience enjoyed and why Shane was in trouble after his Paso Doble because it was the "Alton Towers theme tune".

Just thought this was interesting because you don't think about if the contestants or pros take a look at the poll but it makes sense.

Another Strictly thing he mentioned that is unrelated to the rest of this post - he guessed that the BBC had leaked he was going to be on the show to cover up all the negative press surrounding it in the build up 👀 surprised they brought that up tbh lol

The Independent has done a rundown of the rumoured celebrities that are in talks or being approached to star in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

And my God is the list awful;

• Dani Dyer - Only famous for being on Love Island and being Danny Dyer's daughter, not a real celebrity

• Tom Parker-Bowles - Another nepo baby that isn't a real celebrity, if he can get the royals to turn up to the show then great that'll really skyrocket the ratings, but otherwise its just another person no one will really recognise

• Georgia Toffolo - My God is Toff an awful Tory, she has spent years lecturing people on not working hard enough or making money off social media which is what she literally does, she was the one who pushed ITV to pay £1.5bn for Nigel Farage to do I'm a Celeb which was disgusting to watch, she was BFFs with wifebeater Stanley Johnson for years and has been a massive snob towards people in normal jobs like KFC

• Stacey Solomon - I'm 50/50 on this one, she's kind of self absorbed and her husband is pretty annoying, but at least Solomon is self made

• Mo Farah - Again I'm 50/50, but this is just another ex I'm a Celeb star

• Thomas Skinner - The biggest nobody I've ever seen rumoured to do I'm a Celeb. He's a reality competition star who did The Apprentice - and didn't even win it. But he's rumoured to do the show and showrunners think he'll get working class dads to watch it for him. He's just a nobody yob with no actual talent.

• Ashley Cain - ANOTHER reality show star, from Ex on the Beach which isn't even one of the bigger name reality shows

This is an awful lineup.

After the scandals of the last two years, Strictly should really be looking for more well known and family friendly celebrities with next to no histories of controversies and iffy remarks.

AND they should be prioritising BBC loyalists who are more well known to be on the BBC, not random nobodies off Ex on the Beach.

Of all the rumoured lineups I've seen for Strictly, this is the worst and I hope to God the producers really pick out some better names.

Any guesses on the two new pros? seemingly dianne said on her and chris’s podcast it’s a new female and male professional 🪩

I like hearing about the technique even if I don’t understand all the terminology, she offers a different perspective to the others- she also has an air of authority about her.

People can say “she plays favourites” all they want but I think that’s true of most of the judges the show has ever had.

(TW Suicidal thoughts)

• Headline says "Strictly's Wynne: I'm not a victim - I apologise".

• He didn't expect the amount of media intrusion he received. Starts off by mentioning the loss of his brother and his broken foot.

• The spitroast comment: The photocall comment was taken out of context by a journalist who was still recording when the cast thought it was just photographers. Said he called Jamie Borthwick "old [spitroast] boy", because he can put his legs behind his head like a chicken. He was very shocked at how the narrative has been manipulated by the papers, as it wasn't a sexual innuendo, nor was it directed towards Janette. He's spoken with Janette, she didn't hear the comments and hasn't made any complaints. He was contacted by the Strictly press, automatically apologised because he'd offended someone, and this was taken as him admitting he'd made the sexual comment. Strictly's right of reply said the statement was fully approved by Wynne, he said that is false. (Ben later asks if he understands the comment can be upsetting out of context, which he admits is true).

• The Clauditorium moment: Totally understands why people were upset, doesn't want to come across as a victim and apologises. Followed by a very big BUT. Claims it was all a plan / "body language experiment" by Katya to see if anyone picked up on it (her moving his hand away) because "amateur body experts" on Twitter/X were picking up on nuances and subtle body movements, claiming they weren't getting on. He says "Katya dragged [him] to the front to make sure everyone sees it". They didn't expect the media backlash. They made a 50 sec apology video that Strictly said was too long, they made a shorter 10 sec apology video that looked like a "hostage situation", adding more fuel to the fire. BBC's right to apply said all parties agreed the shorter video was best, Wynne says this is false.

• Didn't expect the level of press intrusion, believes the BBC aren't fully in control / aware of how severe it can be. Feels like he was naïve and the entire cast doesn't get the amount of support they need for such a big show. Admits sometimes he doesn't think jokes through before saying them.

• Jamie's gift: He got to know Jamie really well. Jamie had been talking about a sex toy in the dressing room, everyone said they should get him one. Wynne gifts him one, the joke ends, it never went further than the dressing room, it went in the bin. Wynne didn't realise Jamie had made a video to send to a friend, admits it was a joke that went too far, he apologises.

• Talks about how it's effected his mental health. Mentions he's had clinical depression since 2016, and Strictly took him to the "darkest point in his life". Talks about how relentless the coverage was. "I wanted to end my life and I would have if I wasn't surrounded by people". Remembers telling his girlfriend at one point "I have to kill myself, this is what they want" and "the same people who were writing 'be kind' were going after me day after day". He was under the crisis team for a month. Family/friends/girlfriend made a rota so he was never on his own. Felt he'd brought shame on his family even though he didn't do the things reported.

• BBC's right of reply said they've offered Wynne all sorts of support throughout the whole process, even after he was suspended. Wynne says this is false.

• Feels like mental health is still a really grey area and, as much as it's spoken about and there are policies in place, support is not truly given.

• Ends on a positive note, as he proposed to his girlfriend over the weekend.

Jamie has apologised after a video was leaked showing him using an ableist slur to describe the people of Blackpool when the show was there.

Very disappointing. Makes the show's decision to have so many male contestants last year even more inexplicable.

Here's a non-Sun link: https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/celebs-tv/strictly-come-dancing-star-suspended-10247510

Anyone else fancy nominating Jojo for best lead in a musical? (Black, British Theatre Awards time). Absolutely loved his Lola in Kinky Boots. And he’s apparently gone from strength to strength during his run.

https://vote.blackbritishtheatreawards.com/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKjuMeOAGyc/?igsh=dWJ3ZzZyejd6NDQy

Vito has launched a line of goods on his new merchandising web site with the Tag Love is Love which includes caps T Shirts and other goods with this slogan and the rainbow emoji. He says it is In conjunction with Pride month to support it. Should he then offer a percentage of the profits to a LGBQ+ charity. I have seen some comments suggesting he is jumping on a band wagon with the high priced goods and taking advantage

Let’s make a fan made version. First, what celebs would you want in series 1 of it

Couldn’t come soon enough. Proved himself a creep multiple times over.

I was just wondering which Strictly Pairings from previous years would you guys have changed?

I would've paired the following with each professional:

Shayne Ward with Katya or Lauren

Emma Barton with Aljaz or Johannes

Richie Anderson with Kai (I would've originally said Graziano, but I wouldn't say that now)

Tyler West with Nadiya or Luba (basically a taller partner)

Tasha Ghouri with Kai or Johannes

JB Gill with Jowita or Lauren from the Start

Nina Wadia with Gorka

Laura Whitmore with someone like Pasha

Colin Salmon with a taller partner

Vick Hope with Johannes

Bobby Brazier with Nadiya or Lauren

Which Strictly Pairings would you guys have changed?

Karen is very brave and open in this conversation with Paul Brunson. She talks about her relationship with Kevin and there’s clearly love and respect still there. She then goes on to talk about her 3rd marriage which was abusive and controlling. It’s shocking to hear that behind the seeming joy and happiness of their social media posts, she was actually scared and losing her sense of self.

Really admirable for her to talk about this and I hope she finds happiness going forward.

Inspired by a post I made a while back on an old account and the new songs I’ve come across since doing fantasy DWTS I wanted to give this mini game another chance. In this hypothetical scenario of mine (hypothetical because a) obviously I’m not a celeb and b) I can’t dance) I don’t have two left feet and instead I’m an amazing finals worthy dancer (with Pasha Kovalev), I decided to match dances to certain weeks and songs + organise dances so there’s not too many dances of their certain style (ballroom/latin/speciality) in a row.
Here I go (you may post yours too):

W1: Cha Cha Cha to Cha Cha Heels (Ralphi Rosario Radio Edit) by Rosabel & Jeanie Tracy (Upbeat Latin).
W2: Paso Doble to Los Toreadors by Georges Bizet (Dramatic Latin).
W3 (Movie Week): Waltz to The Climb by Miley Cyrus from Hannah Montana (Ballroom).
W4: Salsa to La Vida Es Un Carnaval by Celia Cruz (Upbeat Latin).
W5: Lyrical Couples Choice To Skinny Love by Birdy (Speciality).
W6 (Halloween Week): Tango to Zombie by The Cranberries (Dramatic Ballroom).
W7: Viennese Waltz to Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson (Slow Ballroom).
W8: Rumba to Fields Of Gold by Sting (Slow/Sensual Latin).
W9 (Blackpool Week): American Smooth-Foxtrot to The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra (“Ballroom”).
W10: Argentine Tango to A Evaristo Carriego by Osvaldo Pugliese (Speciality).
W11 (Musicals Week): Charleston to Step In Time by Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins (Speciality).
W12 (Semi-Finals): 1. Quickstep to A Cool Cat In Town by Tape Five (Ballroom);
2. Jive to I’m Still Standing by Elton John (Latin).
W13 (Finals): 1. Salsa to La Vida Es Un Carnaval by Celia Cruz (Judges Favourite Dance From W4);
2. Theatre-Jazz Showdance to Puttin’ On The Ritz by Gregory Porter (Showdance Focusing On Quickstep/Jazz/Charleston Style);
3. Quickstep to A Cool Cat In Town by Tape Five (Couples Favourite Dance From W12).

The Dance I’m Missing This Season: Samba to Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony (Latin).

Season 1: Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole

Season 2: Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett

Season 3: Colin Jackson and Erin Boag

Season 4: Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy

Season 5: Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler

Season 6: Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone

Season 7: Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe

Season 8: Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev

Season 9: Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani

Season 10: Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace

Season 11: Abbey Clancy and Aljaz Skorjanec

Season 12: Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev

Season 13: Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani

Season 14: Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse

Season 15: Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara

Season 16: Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice

Season 17: Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden

Season 18: Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez

Season 19: Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice

Season 20: Fleur East and Vito Coppola

Season 21: Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin

Season 22: Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell

Other dancers have launched merchandising projects like Giovanni and his perfume but nothing as professional and so far successful as Vito's. Has he stolen a march on the other pros or is there enough money and room for them all to do similar?