Behind the Scenes at the Launch Show
Strictly HQ in Television Centre has been buzzing all day! Not only has the red carpet been rolled out for our Strictly contestants, but we've seen the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton and her lovely band at the stage door.
You can watch the launch show on BBC One at 6.10pm on Saturday 10th September, but until then we have some sneaky snaps of the stars for you!
Rope to keep back the superfans!
Vincent says 'hello' to the Strictly fans!
The red carpet is ready!
Papparazzi waiting to see the SCD celebrities.
The Strictly judges waiting for the show to start!
Alesha and Bruno getting ready to hit the red carpet!
Kristina and Robin looking picture perfect before the head out onto the red carpet.
Anton and Erin are all smiles as they head out!
Katya and new professional dancer Pasha.
Brendan and Natalie looking gorgeous.
James and Ola walking out onto the red carpet.
Alex Jones looking lovely in green.
Anita Dobson looking lovely in blue.
Audley Harrison on his way out on to the red carpet
Chelsee Healey looking lovely in silver and blue.
Dan Lobb is all smiles as he heads out.
Edwina Currie looking smiley as she heads out onto the red carpet.
Harry Judd preparing to meet the public!
Holly Valance is all sparkles as she heads out!
Jason Donovan fixing his tie before he heads out.
Lulu saying 'hello' to the Strictly fans!
Nancy Dell'Olio backstage looking amazing in green.
Robbie Savage just as he bolts out onto the red carpet.
Rory Bremner looking very showbiz!
Russell Grant saying a big 'hello' to all the lovely Stricty fans.
The papparazzi checking their photos as the celebs and dancers head into Television Centre.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing on the show?
Comment number 1.
At 17:37 7th Sep 2011, Sid1979 wrote:I know I say it at the launch of every series, but I hope it's Vinnie's year!
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Comment number 2.
At 18:39 7th Sep 2011, firerat wrote:I am so fed up with this program which has gone on for far too long. Why do television companies find a success and then continue feeding it to us until we are sick to death of it!
If you don't like soaps and are not bothered about so-called celebrities there is very little on television for one (the killing and Wilfred being a notable exceptions).
Please can we have more proper dramas, like the good old days of the mid-week play and play for today and programs of that ilk?
While I am in complaining today, why does everything have to be made into a competition - I agree with Boy George about x-factor and horrible programs of that ilk but it goes much further with the dreadful master chef and big brother and other such programs.
If one channel has a success with a program, not only does that channel keep repeating the format but it seems that all the other channels rush out their own version of the same format. Of course it Hollywood is just as bad, with re-make after re-make, sequels prequels and films of graphic comics.
There seems to be very little imagination, no innovation and no originality. One has to ask the question “what are television executive paid for” and “are we getting value for money”? Personally I think not!
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Comment number 3.
At 19:10 7th Sep 2011, TashaLouise-x wrote:let us hope it is a good series!
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Comment number 4.
At 19:15 7th Sep 2011, jo scott wrote:I'm really looking forward to seeing all of them especially Vincent, Robin, Pasha, Kristina, Ola and Jason, Dan, Holly, Alex, Lulu but most of all Brucie!
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Comment number 5.
At 19:18 7th Sep 2011, Marie wrote:I love this show!..Lets hope we get a great series like last year!
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Comment number 6.
At 19:20 7th Sep 2011, Twirlie wrote:Erm, firerat, no one is forcing you to watch SCD. In fact it rather sounds as if you'd do yourself more good if you didn't. Lower your stress levels and all that. I for one am delighted that it's all kicking off again and I can't wait to see the necouples and admire some great dancing. :-)
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Comment number 7.
At 19:23 7th Sep 2011, Twirlie wrote:not "necouples" of course... "new couples" (duh)
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Comment number 8.
At 19:25 7th Sep 2011, Margaret wrote:As much as I love the pic's why is Artem And Aliona missing?
Can't wait for Saturday!!
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Comment number 9.
At 19:37 7th Sep 2011, Bernard wrote:Where are Artem and Aliona!
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Comment number 10.
At 20:40 7th Sep 2011, alan_addison wrote:Who am I most looking forward to seeing on the show?
Them all of course. I just hope Aliona gets more coverage on the show than she did in this blog entry. You will just have to do a blog featuring only pictures of the lady with the copper hair to make up for her absence.
I am also looking forward to giving my total support to Russell, I may even vote this year to help him get through.
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Comment number 11.
At 20:46 7th Sep 2011, tessa wrote:looking forward to see Lulu
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Comment number 12.
At 21:35 7th Sep 2011, wackywendy wrote:Harry will win
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Comment number 13.
At 21:37 7th Sep 2011, Betty George wrote:Can't wait for the launch show - some good celebs taking part. Something to look forward to every Saturday and every week night on BBC2 right through 'til Xmas! BTW firerat - if you don't like don't watch!
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Comment number 14.
At 22:34 7th Sep 2011, hmg66 wrote:Robbie will get so much stick from fans of clubs he's slagged off.
Russell will have real problems with the more energetic dances - I take it he'll be paired with Ola as the others will also be too tall for him.
Can't wait to see if Jason can dance...
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Comment number 15.
At 23:18 7th Sep 2011, Dutch_Reds wrote:If you don't like it don't watch it Firerat !!! I am watching it from Holland and I'm loving every single minute of it.. Cant wait .. Absolutely LOVE IT !!!!!
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Comment number 16.
At 09:53 8th Sep 2011, Janiebell45 wrote:Hey Firerat, if you don't like it don't watch it - no-one is forcing you! Great fun & light entertainment and some fabulous dancing - I love it!! Had fun at the Dolly pre-record yesterday, very short but worth the chance to see the set and try out Craig's chair too :0) Just missed Anton arriving for the launch tho :0( Roll on Saturday!!
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Comment number 17.
At 20:15 8th Sep 2011, patriciapolka wrote:Still disappointed with the line-up but can't believe the positive hype on the radio,etc. Are they trying to make us think/believe it's better than it is?Last year was just so brilliant - the best ever, set, celebrities, dances, .
Really can't get excited about Edwina Currie, Nancy whatever, Russell z-list, boxer I don't know, soap people I've never heard of, footballer I don't know.....Lulu? Yes, I know of her. Oh! And Jason Donovan and Alex Jones. However, as my friends tell me, as soon as the music starts, no doubt I'll be glued to the telly!
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Comment number 18.
At 20:19 8th Sep 2011, patriciapolka wrote:PS Which male dancer is the new one replacing?
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Comment number 19.
At 22:22 8th Sep 2011, lostchachachamp wrote:The one who was partered with Tina O' Brien last year, Patriciapolka. Can't Think of his name.
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Comment number 20.
At 23:13 8th Sep 2011, 70s_kid wrote:Dan da dan dan dan dan daaa dan dan dan da dan!
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Comment number 21.
At 09:05 9th Sep 2011, SCDFanatic wrote:Re: lostchachachamp @ 19
Jared Murillo.
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Comment number 22.
At 15:04 9th Sep 2011, jill the best wrote:I hope we get to see JILL HALFPENNY involved in this series even if she is helping the celebrities in some form.
call me crazy but i think jill should have been a judge not alesha
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Comment number 23.
At 20:01 9th Sep 2011, patriciapolka wrote:Thanks lostchachachamp. What was wrong with Jared Murillo? Maybe the fact that I can't even remember him has something to do with it!
I agree that Jill would've been a good judge - still miss Arlene, though!
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Comment number 24.
At 20:09 9th Sep 2011, brucesp01 wrote:At last, After all the dreary and tiring saturday and sunday evenings on TV over the past few months from most popular channels and including X-factor, something is here to get excited about.
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Comment number 25.
At 20:14 9th Sep 2011, brunoforpresident wrote:I'm looking forward to impressionist Rory Bremner sending everybody up during training. The male judges are bound to be in his firing line. A spin-off could be Jon Culshaw taking off the new 'gladiator' Roryus Deximated Gluteous Maximus leader of the Sequined Service.
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Comment number 26.
At 21:01 9th Sep 2011, pink6201 wrote:why have you revealed who audley and dan are dancing with on your website audley and natalie dan with katya. I like to wait for the show.......
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Comment number 27.
At 21:24 9th Sep 2011, moira c wrote:Well troops another year, so looking forward to tomorrow night
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Comment number 28.
At 10:16 10th Sep 2011, X ChErRy-On-ThE-cAkE X wrote:Launch Show tonight! Waaaaah! So exciting! :D
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Comment number 29.
At 12:54 10th Sep 2011, SCDFanatic wrote:A tad disappointed by an apparent lack of in-depth quality in the male entrants. None really strike me as a fave as a male champion. Harry Judd the only one really who looks like the best male and possibly Jason Donovan.
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Comment number 30.
At 14:24 10th Sep 2011, jivebabe_2424 wrote:Tonights the night I have been waiting for!
Can't wait to get my dance shows on!
Looks like we are going to have an excellent show of super stars!!!!!!
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Comment number 31.
At 16:27 10th Sep 2011, Yorkshireman wrote:Please put Brendan with Currie and then get rid of them both on week one.
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Comment number 32.
At 18:00 10th Sep 2011, F1owerpower wrote:I'm looking forward to it. Not massively keen on 1 or celebs but that's life isn't it, we can't all like everyone on telly :-)
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Comment number 33.
At 18:09 10th Sep 2011, LiliasxStilettosxxLLTDH wrote:@ X ChErRy-On-ThE-cAkE X
CHERRY!!! fancy seeing you here ;)
Can't wait for the launch!
p.s beeb, These blogs are rubbish. Bring back the messageboards!!!
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Comment number 34.
At 18:16 10th Sep 2011, BLC wrote:Hi to everyone
Totally agree with you @ LiliasxStilettosxxLLTDH - much better with the message boards.
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Comment number 35.
At 19:22 10th Sep 2011, lesliebutt wrote:What a great line up should be as entertaining as ever don't forget all you luvies out there it is entertainment not a serious dance competition. Don't get your knikcers ina twist over it just enjoyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
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Comment number 36.
At 19:24 10th Sep 2011, Sarah wrote:well looks like Anton got the short straw again...hmmmm no change there then
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Comment number 37.
At 19:35 10th Sep 2011, teddyandgypsy wrote:I thought it was great that the BBC took notice of viewer's unfavourable comments about Jared who didn't measure up. But what a pity Alesha is back, really thought they might have replaced her by now. Thought Bruce was on good form tonight.
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Comment number 38.
At 10:31 11th Sep 2011, Margaret wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 39.
At 20:34 11th Sep 2011, gillypink wrote:New to this but thought I'd get involved this year. SCD - the only bright spot at the time of year when I start to mourn summer.
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Comment number 40.
At 10:20 12th Sep 2011, Gemazing wrote:I can't wait for the show to start properly. It is the highlight of autumn tv :) I was so pleased that Brendon got Lulu I was hoping for that pairing. Should be explosive. I know she is getting on a bit but she is tiny and still fit so I think she will be able to keep up with Brendon.
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Comment number 41.
At 09:57 13th Sep 2011, SCDFanatic wrote:Re: Sarahjive @ 36.
Alright Nancy is no Lesley Garrett but she is certainly no Kate Garraway or Ann Widecombe. Let us just wait a few weeks into the season before judging her.
But as much as anything, in some small tiny way, and I know it may draw heat, but I think Anton must take a small percentage of onus. This is why.
He has been with the show the full 8 years and he has only managed to get a high score of 34. For the Foxtrot in Series 1 and also 8 and the Tango in Series 3. So even when he came 3rd his highest was a 34.
I don't know what you guys think but I get the impression getting the best out of celebrity partners isn't a strength of his.
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Comment number 42.
At 13:31 13th Sep 2011, flatfeet wrote:Are there any suggested blogs for Team Names this year?
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Comment number 43.
At 13:44 13th Sep 2011, flatfeet wrote:Felt quite sorry for Vincent - he should have been paired with Lulu they would have been great together, but when they were down to last two was certain Vincent would get Nancy, with them both being Italian it would have been great. Suppose Anton has drawn short straw so often in recent years hasn't he?.
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