Red Carpet Celebrity Interviews

I'm so excited I feel like I'm about to burst - or was that the extra helping of apple crumble and custard I had for tea... {:o)

... then again its more likely that I can't wait to see Matt Baker do his first dance. I think he's going to be a latin boy - shake those hips Matt.

Patsy Kensist woop woop!! x

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I just watched the interview with Michelle Williams and I have to say that I am very disappointed that there will be no forums this year for people to whine on that she has an unfair advantage cause she did dance at school, and that she also knows Beyonce, and she has appeared in musicals.



At least they wouldn't be able to complain about her "back fat".



Anyway, I hope Michelle is a good dancer. Otherwise I will be supporting Ann Widdecombe - assuming she is as truly awful as I hope she will be.

Squeeeeeaaal!

HHmmmm, so the celebs and profs had "no idea" who they would be partnering? And yet, at the end of the group dance they all end up with the person they are going to be partnering! It must surely have been a big clue when training that they would maybe end up with that particular person, especially condsidering that some are matched by height. I'm also amazed that Len should state this is "the best line-up ever" - so far I am fairly disinterested as I couldn't care less about any one of this motley crue......very disappointing!

Is this it? Is this the only place we can comment? When will the Beeb accept that many who use their site DO NOT like blogs ... I fear many fans will be jumping ship to another site where they can have there say rather than just comment on other's pontificating.

ooh nooo! what am I going to do for the next 2 saturday nights? Go to the fish foot spa?! Am going to be losing momentum

I had a feeling Anton would end up with Anne Widdicombe. Brendan looked like the cat who had got the cream with Michelle. Love the new set though.

Well I watched the launch show,all very glitzy,very U.S.A.,very shiny but no substance. It is lacking,lacking,personality and the very professionals, who made the show what it is and gave it credence,although it was lovely to see Matthew sitting in the front row,not quite the same as watching him with a chosen celebrity though...Too many of the original pros have been culled,and these were the best too.Matt,Lilia,Brian, and to have Ian and Darren dancing in the "troupe" seemed all wrong,but you keep Brendan and Anton,who I knew would get Anne as he can't do latin,and will never progress as a winner, he'll give comedy value to keep them in for a few weeks,and that's what's SCD has come down to...It was an English format, but now we have Dancing With The Stars,which I never liked,what's wrong in being proud of a British format,the Americans loved it,but you're obviously seeking that younger audience so you create "StrictlymeetsXFactor".

Best of luck to all,and pleased you recognise Matt Cutler's choreography,somehow though that old adage keeps repeating "If it ain't broke don't fix it",but you've fixed it and who knows you may well and truly trounce the opposition,I'm sure Simon Cowell's shaking in his boots,though highly unlikely...If it doesn't work you've alienated your core viewers who have been with the show from the beginning.



Jenny

OMG i cannot wait for the dancing shows now, they will be awesome. The new strictly looks amazing, even if everyone else thinks its rubbish!! Suprise suprise anton ended up with anne widecome, but thats strictly and it is an entertainment show, and anton is defo the funniest!! And the skinny little professional is with tina 'o brien which is cool!! Before launch show i wanted patsy kensist to win, but now she's with one of the new professionals not so much!!



Does anyone think in the dance with everyone that patsy kensit was trying so hard and some of them weren't really trying. Now im sure thats just because they were just doing a fun dance and didnt even know what they were doing, but it was still rather funny!!!



I love these news blogs, and i dont care what anyone else says!!! xxx

Both Mrs dwh0101 and I waited for ever for our beloved SCD to return and as the show started we were both very excited ....but only to be let down right from the first word was spoken we knew what a mistake the so called producers have made of the "all new revamped SCD" GET A GRIP FOR HEAVENS SAKE.

Why change the team what was wrong with the old format ? and don't even get us started on the Anton affair this is just pure pantomime it was so predictable the whole show was so transparent the upsetting thing is we love the show so much we will keep watching and putting up with the incompetence of the producers trampling on our show doing there best to make this the last run by creating a backlash from the loyal supporters of the show.

So to sum up our thoughts on the opening show well done the cameraman and to the producers you need your p45 the sooner the better.

Can't wait for the dancing to start so we can focus on that and not the idiots behind the screen.

dwh0101

I have a soft spot for Paul Daniels - no it's not an Irish bog.



I am far less interested in dancers like Michelle who are 90% there anyway.



Good luck to Jimi, Matt, Paul, Felicity and Ann.

Stop complaining about the show, there has to be change, so get over it!! x

I was very excited about the show and have to admit I liked seeing the reactions as the couples were paired. I will watch, as ever, with great enthusiasm. I can't wait for the compition to get started in earnest in three weeks time.

I agree with many of the comments. I realise that things have to change and remain fresh, and there is scope to adopt some of the American innovations with the dances, but I found the set too flashy and above all missed my favourite pros - i.e. Matthew, Darren, Lilia and Ian Are they appearing still in ITT? I didn't like the look of the male replacements, though could have been something to do with their costumes. I just knew Anton was going to be paired with Ann Widdecombe. I don't know why on earth she has agreed to join SCD as she looked ill at ease throughout in that awful dress and I shudder when it comes to the Latin dances, if she makes it that far - presume she will get the Waltz the first week. Anton deserves better having had so many dud partners. I also miss Arlene. Still I will be glued to my screen every Saturday! Look forward to some interesting pairings.

So excited about the new series of Strictly but I do feel sorry for Anton he always ends up with someone that can not dance or will not get very far in the competition and he is such a wonderful dancer!! I am sure that the dancers were informed prior to the celebrities finding out as Anton looked completely fine with this decision. Anne Widdecombe is so lucky to be in a show and learn such wonderful dances with some of the best teachers and she seems so miserable and ungrateful!! Personally she adds the joke factor to a show that is in essence a series dance competition!

I could have had a bet that Anton would get Ann Widdecombe as his partners and the pretty ones and the ones with experience gets the eye candy.

I agree not fair for Anton may be my idea for SCD is should be two part one for the older person competing for few weeks so that they get a chance to win the trophy then second one for the younger dance longer weeks so every one get a good chance to compete.

I mean Ann got no chance to do cha cha and against younger she never get a chance so i think that's fair older against younger!! that wrong..



yeah Brendan got a good one and Michelle seem to know how to dance but to my surprise Pam really got the move so cant wait on Oct 1st roll on!!

Its such a shame that people are complaining about the fact that there has been some thought, effort, money and innovation put into Strictly this year. If it was kept the same every year the audience numbers would drop off and then there'd be complaints about how its so tired and why aren't the BBC innovating.



I say well done for trying to keep it fresh and modern! I think this year's strictly will be one of the best.

I like the new SCD surrounding lovely colour very different from last year.

I still miss my message board but will have to get used to the new blogs



disappointed to see Alisha still in the panel she good for the music so she should be in X factor!!!

too right suze. i hope your work colleagues perk up and join the strictly mad. i'm alone in my obsession as none of my friends and family watch. hence the need for forum gossip.

I would have liked very much to hear from the Pro's as well and have more footage of them on the carpet giving their reaction too, but, I presume they may feature more in ITT footage instead??



This is prob the wrong place to ask but will the Pro's be getting their own profiles on the website as well (just like the celebs). I think the Strictly website should focus on them equally to the celebs as, for some of us SCD fans, they are just as much the celebs of the show as the celebs themselves.

Why do we have to change everything? What was wrong with the old forum? It was fun. Very sad that some of the regular pro dancers have been sidelined, especially Ian. Can't wait to see how it all works out though.

Did i just read that on here there will be no forums? Why is this? To ssave any negativity? To keep egos cushioned? Why have a online site that is shackled by a draconian blanket on comments?



The whole point of forums is for discussion to discuss and suggest comments yes give feedback and any unfair can be moderated!



Come on BBC unshackle our hands and let us have our old style forum back

Please can we have our forums back. I know they were not always easy to moderate ((hello Ian)), but most of the time were fun, and allowed groups of supporters to discuss their favourites, and have running themes and jokes. The forums also allowed specific instances on each show to be discussed as well and also provided a place to discuss all aspects of the shows; a running general blog won't be the same. Strictly won't be the same without the forums.

No forum this year. Can't the BBC stand criticism of it's programme or are they protecting their little darling Alesha Dixon?

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Love comment no 17.

Love Ann Widdecomb.

Goldie should of gone through.

Too many of the celebs take it all too seriously.