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Posted on September 11, 2017
Welcome back, dance fans! Doesn’t everything feel great and not at all like the End of Days?! Honestly, Series 15 of Strictly Come Dancing could not have come at a better time, bringing sparkle, humour and warmth to combat the, er, Biblical plagues and imminent nuclear annihilation…
Not that it was all joy, with the show pausing its launch festivities for a well-judged tribute to Brucie – including a lovely trad ballroom number – that left Tess and I’d imagine most viewers choked up. Good game, good game.
Shirley Ballas with the Strictly professional dancers (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
There was change afoot, too, with Head Judge Len Goodman passing on the baton to Queen of Latin Shirley Ballas (you’ll find my interview with her in the October issue of Dancing Times – in short, she’s promised to be eagle-eyed about errant ballroom footwork and thus is my new heroine).
A packed launch show meant Shirley’s was a fairly brief intro, but she struck a good balance of experienced expert and openness to creativity, as well as MAJORLY raising the bar when it comes to the judges’ entrance. Can’t wait to see her in action, and to find out whether Craig accepts his demotion from Tough Judge or starts crafting minus score paddles…
Claudia Winkleman, Tess Daly – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Why have one split when you can have two? Meanwhile Claudia was under attack from the Seventies Frill Monster.
And now let’s meet the new class…
Tess Daly, Gemma Atkinson, Aljaz Skorjanec – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats If you like soap actors, boy is this your year! Gemma comes to us via Hollyoaks, Casualty and Emmerdale, plus a slew of celebrity specials and glamour modelling. But never mind all that – she’s just a TOTALLY NORMAL NORTHERN LASS. Expect her to play that card early and often.
Partner Aljaž Škorjanec
Most likely to… Be stunned by her success in ballroom, reach the semi-final.
Tess Daly, Debbie McGee, Giovanni Pernice – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats My prior knowledge of Debbie is basically just this, but definite ringer rumblings since she once ran her own ballet company. The denials came in early: “Yes, I’ve danced, but NOT SINCE THE TITANIC WENT DOWN!” Expect her to far outstrip late husband Paul Daniels’ stint on Strictly (low bar though that is).
Partner Giovanni Pernice
Most likely to… Give us a cover version of Felicity Kendal and Vincent’s respectable journey.
Tess Daly, Chizzy Akudolu, Pasha Kovalev – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats Holby City’s finest, lucky us. Thus far, Chizzy’s personality could best be described as “CAN YOU HEAR ME IN SPACE?”, but she was a fun, confident presence in the group number, and good comic potential in the odd coupling of this motor-mouthed actress and Pasha, Endearing Killer Of All Scripted VTs.
Partner Pasha Kovalev
Most likely to… Entertain us en route to a mid-series exit.
Tess Daly, Ruth Langsford, Anton Du Beke – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats The Loose Women and This Morning presenter wants to have a red-hot, “You go, girl! Life begins at 50 according to Nancy Meyers!” journey and make Eamonn dead jealous by fanning showmance rumours with her super-sexy pro partner. And she’s dancing with…Anton. Oh. Better luck next time, Ruth.
Partner Anton du Beke
Most likely to… Last a few weeks thanks to her established fan base.
Tess Daly, Aston Merrygold, Janette Manrara – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats Sure, the JLS band member is a DANCER who judged a DANCE competition, but he’s never done BALLROOM, he’s never even BEEN IN A ROOM you guys! Expect numbers emphasising his hip hop background and much seething from me. Also: child on the way, family prop points in stock for an off week.
Partner Janette Manrara
Most likely to… Spark ringer controversy on their way to the final.
Tess Daly, Rev Richard Coles, Dianne Buswell – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats Member of Eighties band The Communards-turned-beloved Radio 4 staple and gay vicar, the Rev’s casting a wide net Strictly voter-wise. His group performance already suggests the Second Coming of Jeremy Vine, with a soupçon of Ed “Glitter” Balls dad dancing – plus they blinged up his clerical shirt, which is basically irresistible.
Partner New Aussie pro Diane Buswell, who…has red hair! And religion puns!
Most likely to… Be this year’s comedy crowd favourite.
Tess Daly, Davood Ghadami, Nadiya Bychkova – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats EastEnders lad with a serious clothes allergy. He’s come to the right place. Obvious candidate for this year’s Curse of Strictly showmance: he’s paired with new Ukrainian pro Nadiya, who the tabloids have ecstatically outed as a former Playboy Playmate. Expect Bruno to convulse over them on a weekly basis.
Partner Nadia Bychkova
Most likely to… Make a sultry bid for the trophy.
Tess Daly, Simon Rimmer, Karen Clifton – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats I keep forgetting about Simon even while he’s still on screen. Anyhow. Chef, which means following in the illustrious footsteps of past screen sirens Dave “Hairy” Myers, Ainsley “Juicy Juicy Tomatoes” Harriott, and Gary “that piano bit still haunts my dreams” Rhodes. Expectations somewhere south of hell, basically.
Partner Karen Clifton
Most likely to… Be one of the first out.
Tess Daly, Charlotte Hawkins, Brendan Cole – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte is eyeing her ITV alumni options – will she be a Susanna Reid or a Kate Garraway? Or will she be the dead-eyed, fixed-grin presenter-bot to finally outdo Tess Daly? Perhaps sensing the need for human points, she’s already swiftly deployed the cute two-year-old – expect frequent appearances.
Partner Brendan Cole
Most likely to… Hit a few dance-offs before they exit.
Tess Daly, Mollie King, AJ Pritchard – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats She might SEEM like a Barbie doll pop star, but Mollie’s actually a loveable tomboy, just like you normals! The group number did suggest she’s not totally ringer-tastic; hard to tell from her time with The Saturdays given that their dance style was more…casually gathering, like sexy birds on a telephone wire.
Partner AJ Pritchard (I swear he’s gotten younger)
Most likely to… Be this year’s “shock” exit.
Tess Daly, Susan Calman, Kevin Clifton – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats “I’m really sorry, I’m doing an Ore!” And with these words, comedian Susan Calman became my 2017 favourite. It would take a viewer with a heart of stone not to love her super-fan enthusiasm, sincere belief in Strictly’s transformative powers, and dedication to Kevin that delightfully borders on watching-him-while-he-sleeps territory.
Partner Kevin Clifton
Most likely to… Garner “You’re what this show is all about” comments.
Tess Daly, Alexandra Burke, Gorka Marquez – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats Was it buy one, get one free at the X Factor store? Alexandra has since done musical theatre (but there’s no dancing in THAT!), so expect more ringer murmurings. Enjoyably OTT already, promising wild-eyed drama and a full hair-pulling breakdown mid-series – probably following a “shock” bottom two placing.
Partner Gorka Marquez
Most likely to… Fight tooth and nail for the trophy.
Tess Daly, Joe McFadden, Katya Jones – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats Another Holby City casting. Not that the BBC is trying to halt a ratings slide or anything. Joe also has plenty of musical theatre experience (reminder: NEVER involves dancing, totally static art form), but a comparatively low public profile means he’ll likely fall into the dark horse category.
Partner Katya Jones
Most likely to… Start out shy and craft a decent late-series journey.
Tess Daly, Jonnie Peacock, Oti Mabuse – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats The gold medal-winning sprinter is Strictly’s first Paralympian, which should make for a genuinely interesting and inspiring story (Jonnie has a prosthetic leg, so more challenges there than the usual “My filming schedule! My nerves!”). Charismatic and, you know, not HARD to look at, plus the addition of lovely Oti bodes well.
Partner Oti Mabuse
Most likely to… Make a strong bid for the final.
Tess Daly, Brian Conley, Amy Dowden – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Vital stats Did something variety-ish with a puppet back in the day? I don’t know, this one’s already making me hunt for the mute button. Expect hammy VTs, overworked interviews and goldfish mouth flapping on the dancefloor, but the musical theatre/panto background might give him a few weeks. Joy.
Partner New Welsh pro Amy Dowden
Most likely to… Exceed my prop threshold almost immediately.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2017 contestants – (C) BBC – Photographer: Guy Levy
Hurrah! The car crash group dance has been disappointingly competent of late, but this year’s was more of a mad sprawl. Notable moments included:
What do you think? Are you happy with the pairings? Who’s your pick for the final? And what dances and themes do you want – or not want – to see this year? Leave your thoughts below or contact me on Twitter: @mkmswain
I shall return when the competition kicks off on September 23. In the meantime…keep dancing!
Marianka Swain is a freelance writer and social dancer at several London venues. You can find more of her work at mkmswain.com.
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