Strictly Come Dancing 2023

[david63]

It's starting - at least there is one celebrity that I have heard of.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing

Anyone taking bets that one of her first dances will be Morecambe & Wise inspired?

[Stephen]

I would have thought Angela Rippon was getting a bit long in the tooth for this. It's not all shuffling around the dance floor like her Come Dancing days.

[Manoverboard]

Next year will presumably see the introduction of Zimmer frames for the competitors ...

[Mervyn and Trish]

So we've already got the crumblie, the gay, the newsreader, some of colour and the z list celeb I've never heard of. Just looking for someone from Eastenders with a wooden leg and an ex member of the Scotland leapfrog team and we've cracked it. Oh and Nadine Dorries.

[screwy]

Oh Gawd, is this coming back on…time to hibernate.!

[Mervyn and Trish]

I guess you're more of a Love Island sort of guy?

[Stephen]

I guess you're more of a Love Island sort of guy?

I thought he was more into ‘Get Me Out Of Here’

[oldbluefox]

So we've already got the crumblie, the gay, the newsreader, some of colour and the z list celeb I've never heard of. Just looking for someone from Eastenders with a wooden leg and an ex member of the Scotland leapfrog team and we've cracked it. Oh and Nadine Dorries.

[Meg 50]

and a sportsperson or 3

[Onelife]

I normally speculate a tenner on finding the winner of Strictly but have left it until now as I wanted to way up all the runners. Having studied the form there is one runner which in my opinion looks two jumps ahead of the rest of the field…. however, I’m struggling to understand why Layton Williams is currently trading at odds of 11/1 which seem ridiculously generous odds considering his past performances.

So, help me out…do you think his sexual orientation and the fact that he prances around like a fairy could put voters off from voting for him?

I will be placing a bet anyway but I would be interested to hear your opinions on whether you think I'm on a winner.

[oldbluefox]

I find him totally OTT and irritating.Considering he has danced in the West End he should be a cut above the others but my feelings are they should keep Strictly as it was and if they want to satisfy the needs of the gay community then have a Gay Strictly. I can't be doing with all of his wriggling and writhing around although it probably does appeal to some.
The way the BBC has developed lately they may be very keen to have their first gay partnership win it.

[Onelife]

I find him totally OTT and irritating.Considering he has danced in the West End he should be a cut above the others but my feelings are they should keep Strictly as it was and if they want to satisfy the needs of the gay community then have a Gay Strictly. I can't be doing with all of his wriggling and writhing around although it probably does appeal to some.
The way the BBC has developed lately they may be very keen to have their first gay partnership win it.

Hi Foxy…. I wasn’t aware that he had danced in the West End so I’m keeping my money in my pocket…voters tend to frown on those with experience, especially when they are irritating.

[paultheagle]

Layton Williams played Billy Eliot so he should be able to dance, very good he is too.. I couldn't care less if he's gay, it's his dancing that matters. There's also an Asian guy in this year Krishnan Guru-Muty, perhaps we should have an Asian Strictly as well. I think the BBC do it exactly right.
Ellie Leach 'er that was in Corrie is very good and could be a possible winner so is Adam Thomas. For me it doesn't matter who wins it all I know is it's a brilliant show, one that I look forward to and enjoy every week.

I like an outsider to do well, so Angel Rippon is my favourite this year.

[Onelife]

To be fair Paul, Foxy’s comments had no reference to ethnic origin but more to do with where the BBC are taking the program. Whilst the producers may be trying to make the program more inclusive it is Imo becoming less of a dancing competition and more of a pantomime. I do wonder if the producers are now selecting contestants for their curiosity value rather than their hoped-for dancing ability.

I will however continue watching Strictly until such time that they invite Alan Carr on as a contestant…that would be the final nail in the coffin for me.

[Onelife]

Angela Rippon may well be an outsider but considering the competition and the fickle voting public…who knows.

I didn’t particularly enjoy her last dance as her black costume along with the dark sett didn’t do her routine any favours at all Imo.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Layton is a brilliant dancer but I find him intensely irritating too. Nothing to do with his race or sexuality. He just is.

[Onelife]

Layton is a brilliant dancer but I find him intensely irritating too. Nothing to do with his race or sexuality. He just is.

Funny you should say that as I’m feeling the same about David and Foxy today

[oldbluefox]

No matter to me whether they are gay or straight in my book strictly should stick to man and woman dancing together as a pair. Pure and simple.

[towny44]

No matter to me whether they are gay or straight in my book strictly should stick to man and woman dancing together as a pair. Pure and simple.

I do know what you mean, however Layton and Nikita have put in some superb performances.

[Stephen]

No matter to me whether they are gay or straight in my book strictly should stick to man and woman dancing together as a pair. Pure and simple.

He is good though.

I think Nigel Harman could be a dark horse.

[oldbluefox]

He is good though.

I think Nigel Harman could be a dark horse.

Being a professional dancer who has appeared on the West End stage you cannot take that away from him. It's not exactly a level playing field considering some have started their dancing virtually from square one. Bring back Ola Jordan as a contestant I say!!

[david63]

I think Nigel Harman could be a dark horse.

He has had his ups and downs so I am not sure whether he will have it when it matters later in the competition.

[david63]

I noticed that Amy was "lurking" in the background last Saturday

[Onelife]

I guess you're more of a Love Island sort of guy?

[Onelife]

I quite like Zara but not for her dancing ability as her legs don’t work together properly...shame!