Strictly Come Dancing: Latest line-up rumours...(the men)

So the Olympics have dominated our TV for the last few weeks, but with the end of the summer on the horizon, it means out tv screens are going to be dominated by one thing; celebrities covered in sequins trying to do their utmost to dance gracefully on tv. With the rumour mill going into overdrive, I thought it was time to give you a rundown on the rumours of who could be stepping on to the dance floor for Series 10 of the hit BBC show.

Nicky Byrne
The Westlife singer has a lot of spare time on his hands after the band’s recent farewell tour and seperation, and having appeared on the show with the band last year, has Nicky set his sights on the glitter ball too? The papers seem to think so, and he’d be a popular choice with viewers.

Ronnie O’Sullivan
Another name who keeps on popping up in the papers for a stint on Strictly is the former World Snooker champion. With retirnement beckoning, Ronnie would be a fantastic addition to the numerous sports stars who have competed on Strictly before. A pin-up, he’d get the women’s vote too.

Michael Vaughan
The only confirmed celebrity for the show is former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan. The Ashes winner, who is now a pundit for BBC Radio 5Live, has been confirmed by BBC’s Newsbeat to be appearing on the show, and could be the third cricketer to win the trophy.

Chris Evans
If the rumours are true then Strictly has bagged itself a fantastic coup in the shape of Evans. The famous broadcaster and media personality has millions of fans, and would definitely add a comedy touch to show. Personalities often make the show, and Chris would be a fantastic addition. I just hope it’s true!

Ken Livingstone

Although the paper’s haven’t mentioned him in the rumours columns, I have my eye on the former London Major to be making an appearance on the show. He made a remark earlier this year on Have I Got News For You about joining the show, and would certainly be another Ann Widdecombe-like character that would keep audience’s entertained. But would he get your vote?

Lemar and Craig David have both said they’re not interested in joining the show, both citing their music careers as the reason for being too busy to compete. But who knows, maybe they’ll be tempted.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Strictly Come Dancing: Latest line-up rumours....(the girls)

So the Olympics have dominated our TV for the last few weeks, but with the end of the summer on the horizon, it means out tv screens are going to be dominated by one thing; celebrities covered in sequins trying to do their utmost to dance gracefully on tv. With the rumour mill going into overdrive, I thought it was time to give you a rundown on the rumours of who could be stepping on to the dance floor for Series 10 of the hit BBC show.

Victoria Pendleton
BBC chiefs have publicly stated that they want as many athletes as humanly possible from the London 2012 Olympics to appear on the show, with Pendleton topping the list. Undoubntedly the Queen of Cycling, the Gold medalist will be retiring from the competition soon, and has announced that she’d love to appear on the show. With a free schedule, gorgeous Vicky would be a crowd pleaser for fans.

Rebecca Adlington
The Queen of Swimming is another contender for the show, having just won two bronze medals. Becky’s form has left many commentators questioning whether she will return to Swimming, so a stint on Strictly could be on the cards. However, despite confirming her interest, she is planning on a charity bike ride in October, so perhaps we’ll see her on the Christmas special.

Beth Tweddle
Another Olympic favourite, bronze medalist and star of GB gymnastics for the past decade Beth would be a contender to win the glitter ball trophy. The gymnast has the moves and skills, and with retirement beckoning, a stint on Strictly would certainly end what’s been a tremendous decade for Beth.

Dannii Minogue
Although she has seemed to deny the rumours of competing on the dance floor, the tabloids refuse to acknowledge that the former X Factor judge is tempted to go against her former show in what could be a spectacular ratings battle. Another X Factor guest judge rumoured to appear is Geri Halliwell, the Spice Girl, although she’s also rejected the rumours. Both have the star power, but will they appear on the dance floor?

Charlie Brooks
There’s always a spot for a soap actress in the Strictly line-up, and who better to have then EastEnders favourite Bitch, Janine Butcher (played by Charlie Brooks). Having already won last year’s Christmas special, Charlie could look to claim her second Strictly trophy this autumn. It seems certain that she will appear, for she’s just started a six month break from the soap. Fingers crossed.

Michelle Keegan
Another soap star that could be set to appear is Michelle Keegan, who plays Corrie’s Tina. The actress, who has won dozens of ‘Sexiest Female Awards’, would certainly look good on the dance floor, but has a warning from ITV proclaiming to ban any of its stars appearing on a rival channels show stopped the actress from appearing on Strictly? We’ll find out soon enough.

Sian Williams
The former BBC Breakfast presenter is tipped to be joining the show this Autumn. After leaving BBC Breakfast earlier this year, Sian certainly has the time to appear on the show, and with an appearance last year on the Children in Need special, she’s got the dance bug so to speak.

Fern Britton
Another TV favourite who could be shaking her tail feather later this year is Fern Britton. The TV presenter entertained SCD fans when appearing on the 2010 Christmas special, and has been away from our tv screens for quite some time. Could this giver her the much-needed tv revival she needs to reignite her career?

Martine McCutcheon
She’s previously turned down invitations to appear on the show, but the singer and actress hinted last year that she would have time to appear on the show in 2012. With some dance experience, she’d be a contender for the glitter ball trophy.

Amy Williams
The winter Olympic gold medalist has retired from sport completely, so certainly has the time (and the figure) to compete on Strictly. But with Dancing on Ice rumoured to be offering her a bumper offer too, will Amy be swayed to the ice rink rather than the dance floor?
Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Katya Virshilas axed from Strictly Come Dancing

We all now what a big fan of Strictly Come Dancing I am, so you can understand why I was eager to await the news of which professional dancers would be facing the cull this summer ahead of Series 10 of the award-winning, successful BBC dance show.

But alas, I feel slightly disappointed that the Beeb have only decided to axe one dancer, the strikingly beautiful but frequently irritating Katya Virshilas. Only one female dancer, what's all that about?

Ok, so Katya wasn't the strongest professional. She's only been onscreen for three seasons, and in the latest series, she was helpless at training bookie favourite Dan Lobb. In fact, he only lasted a few weeks before they were sent home by viewers.

Katya is pretty, yes, and she certainly has the skills but I don't think she had the personality to match. She seemed to be very cold towards the celebrities, the other professionals and the judges. Maybe she thought it was all about her, but I and a lot of other disgruntled viewers seem to think the same - she had too big an ego for the show to care about her celebrity partner.

But why stop the cull there? Why not get rid of a few others? The BBC have said that by axing Katya, they can bring in new, fresh dancers. But Katya was hardly old, and was one of a new bunch of dancers who shimmied across the dance floor a few years ago. And even with her faults, she wasn't the first name that came to mind.

So who else should have gone? Well, I personally feel that Erin, Anton and Brendan have had their time now. All three have been on the show since the start, and with the boys cases, their ego's seem to get ahead of themselves. Anton really has become the joke of the show, and yes the Beeb bosses use this to entertain the audiences, but even Anton must realise he's becoming the pantomime dame of the show (although I'm sure he doesn't mind too much.) Brendan's Mr Mean persona has now been stolen by James, and he's too old now. Erin, bless her, always gets the older celeb and, if I were her, I'd leave in protest.

I think Vincent and Flavia are contenders for the axe too. Vincent, the Italian lothario who comes across like an overdone chirizo sausage, has lost his cheeky chappy persona to the likes of Artem and Pasha. Flavia had a good year last year, where I think we finally saw her smile for the first time since Series 5, but would people really miss her if she was axed?

New dancers always bring new skills and talent to the dancefloor and it shows. The last few winners of Strictly have all been celebrities that have been trained by new professional dancers, with the oldies flagging from the start.

I realise that viewers have grown accustom to some of their favourite professionals, but like that old teddy bear you've had since birth, you've got to let go someday, and I for one am disappointed that the Beeb didn't get rid of more.

Maybe the move was to calm the already disgruntled audience, who are disappointed from the recent signing of Darcey Bussell as replacement judge for Alesha Dixon, who left for rival reality show Britain's Got Talent.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Darcey Bussell joins Strictly Come Dancing

The BBC announced today that Darcey Bussell would be joining the judging panel for their hit dance show Strictly Come Dancing.

Replacing the gap left by singer-songwriter Alesha Dixon, who was poached by ITV and Simon Cowell to appear on Britain's Got Talent, rumours were rife with who was going to replace the former Strictly champ.

Hot favourite Karen Hardy, a favourite with viewers, was supposedly leading the race to fill the shoes left by Alesha. Karren, who has previously been a professional on the show and had recently been covering the show's red button coverage, certainly has the skills and dance knowledge that Ms Dixon lacked.

Other contenders included 2010 winner Kara Tointon, choreographer Karen Bruce and former professional Camilla Dallerup.

Even Arlene Phillips was suggested as a possible contender, despite the fiasco surrounding her exit from the show in 2007. The star, who was a judge on the recently axed So you think you can dance? was again, a firm favourite with fans, but was unlikely to be reconsidered by the Beeb, who were heavily criticised for sacking her in the first place.

But eventually, the role went to Darcey Bussell. The ballet star, a former principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, was hotly tipped for the role after impressing producers back in 2007, when she was a guest judge.

The 42 year-old star, world-renown for her ballet and performances, has the experience, the knowledge and the expertise on dance. A favourite with the judges, Craig Revel Horwood recently revealed that if he could pick anyone to join him on the judging panel, he would pick Darcey.

Yet, I was surprised with the reaction from some fans. It seems that despite her expertise, the fans feel she won't fit on the panel.

This seems slightly hypocritical. When Alesha Dixon replaced Arlene Phillips, fans were in uproar about the judging changes. Not only did they criticise the new judges expertise - lets be frank, she didn't have any - but they called for her to be replaced even before Alesha was given screen time.

During Alesha's three year stint, the show has seen a ratings boost, thanks to an improved set, new professional dancers and a much high calibre of celebrities. Some viewers even started to like Alesha, who it has to be said did improve each series, if only by a fraction.

So why the anger over the new signing? The fans wanted expertise and knowledge over looks and age, and they got it. The BBC delivered, but it seems some people just aren't happy.

So what if she's a ballet star? Watch some of her clips online, especially Viva la Diva - I think you'll realise how much dance knowledge she has. And for those that criticise her tv manner - give her some time will you. Yes, I admit she was boring when she did the guest stint, but that was three years ago! The Beeb obviously know what they're doing, because she went through a vigorous screen test along with Hardy and Bruce.

So please, you hypocritical bunch of old bats, stop moaning about the same old thing. I personally think she'll be FAB-U-LOUS!

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia