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Key events
Thank you and a glittery goodnight
Huge thanks for your fab-u-lous company during this year’s curtain-raiser, everyone. It’s good to be back beneath the glitterball and below the line with you all. Apologies again for the tech glitch which meant that comments opened late but rest assured, a besequinned stewards’ inquiry will be launched.
Let’s reconvene right here for some proper dancing in the first actual live show, which kicks off at 6.15pm next Saturday. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on the platform formerly known as Twitter and @michaelhogan100 everywhere else, so please do foxtrot past and say hello.
Enjoy the rest of your weekends, sparkly squadron. And of course, keeeeeep dancing! Goodnight.
Finally, whistledownthewind says: “I was starting to lose a little interest in the all the forced jollity of the opening show when Craig saved it for me by saying to Motsi: ‘Don’t touch me, darling, it’s too early for that sort of thing!’ Don’t ever change, Craig!”
On this year’s celebrity cast, Sebnose says: “Yes, we’ve officially arrived in an era where some of the slebs were born after Strictly started.”
diiode says: “Absolutely love Bethany on House of the Dragon and can’t wait for her and Nancy!
MollyintheFolly says: “Well. I don’t know who any of these gentlemen are but I’m sure in a few weeks, it won’t matter. I had no clue who Hamza was the other year and loved him by week two.”
Lidoswimmer adds: “It feels - vibes-wise, with no actual dancing - like the women are stronger than the men this year. But they seem a good bunch overall and I’ve got high hopes for the series.”
On the five new pros, Lidoswimmer says: “The new dancers look good and like they’ll bring a welcome new energy. But what in the name of Shirl’s little shoes has Kai27 done to his hair?!”
whistledownthewind adds: “I wonder if Kai’s new more au natural hairstyle is a cry to the Strictly production team to not pair him up with any more maturer celebs? He did look older than his years with his old coiffure.”
Yes, there was A LOT of chat wasn’t there? But also more dancing than we normally get in a launch show. No musical turn and minimal blether from the judging panel, which freed up a bit of airtime.
ReclinedPotato says: “Lovely, all paired up and starting proper next week!
I can’t wrap my head around having three presenters and how that’ll work unless the format is being tweaked for the live shows? Joshie’s first autocue moments had a very hostagey vibe but he seems to have loosened up. Emma is a safe pair of hands and JoJo has such a charming presence. I think everything will be okay, people!”
neko99 adds: “Now we’re in the last 15 mins, I’ve just realised how this was the right way to do this show. Lets us get to know the presenters as well as the celebs and the five new dancers. Doesn’t matter that we haven’t seen much of the judges. We already know them and we’ll see a lot of them in the coming weeks.”
heroica says: “Emma is definitely the lead presenter so far. Not sure how the trio will work but we need to see an actual show to find out who does what exactly. Josh should be good for quick quips, he’s used to The Last Leg live. I have a funny feeling Jojo might be wasted as a presenter, too static a role for him? But now he’s explained a dance lesson and that’s where he is so good.”
neko99 says: “Too much chatting, even for a launch, and I hope we’ll understand the role of each three presenters when we get into the competition properly.”
Vicc adds: “Good evening sparklies. Hope you’re enjoying the show as much as I am. It feels a tad chaotic but that’s fine. I like the new presenting team; nothing like Tess and Claud so no need to compare thankfully.”
Deep_Love17 says: “Producers, if you’re reading, please stop Josh from laughing, or mute his laugh. JoJo needs to work on his diction; and Emma is just a tone too sharp, vocally, but a safe pair of hands presenting. Three presenters is overkill - it’s not adding anything.”
Lidoswimmer says: “I was wondering how Johannes would take to presenting and fronting up the show, and he seems a complete natural. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as he’s so delightful.”
TheMathDiva says: “Jojo needs to learn not to distract while one of the other presenters is talking. He has a habit of pulling faces and checking the camera. Tom Allen does the same and I find it rude and annoying.”
This year’s inaugural readers’ verdicts are in
A rapid-fire round-up of wise words from the glitter gang down below. Strictlylounging says “Liking the new presenters a lot actually, but Josh is going to have to tone his laugh down!”
Pancake01 says: “Thank the lord we’re back! I’m liking it v much so far. I like Jaime and Melanie. I hope I’m as flexible as Melanie/Gwen when I’m 64, which isn’t that far away really. I need to get working. I met Josh Widdicombe on a train in the summer on a dreadful heatwave train with no air con. It was 40 degrees and we both had sweat pouring off us. He was very funny and charming.”
Gardener_Maidhc says: “Jojo saying ‘Joshie’ is sooo cute.”
Bigted1980 adds: “It’s early days with the new hosts but I haven’t seen chemistry like this since Jodie Foster and Richard Gere in Sommersby.”
We will always love you, Dolly
TV viewers can now flip to BBC2 for Dolly Parton Night, head to BBC4 for French crime drama Paris Police 1910 or stay on BBC1 for new John Bishop-hosted gameshow Wisdom Of The Crowd. At 10pm, the mighty Jamie Demetriou of Stath Lets Flats fame is guest host of Saturday Night Live UK on Sky One
Film-wise, Braveheart just got underway on Film4, as did Total Recall on Sky Mix and Kind Hearts and Coronets on Great TV. There’s Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings (9.15pm on Channel 4) or Made In Dagenham, starring Strictly’s very own Jaime Winstone (11.40pm on BBC1). Altogether now: “They may take our lives but they’ll never take our freedooooom!”
Jojo Radebe? FOMO Radebe, more like
The pro-turned-presenter is clearly missing being out there on the dancefloor but Johannes promises we’ll get to see him in group numbers and the like as the series progresses. Good, because he’s a helluva hoofer to watch.
Did it take three to tango?
The biggest talking point this year isn’t on the dancefloor, of course, it’s behind the mic. So what did we make of our e all-new presenting trio?
It will take some getting used to, of course, but I thought it worked pretty well. Emma Willis seemed completely at home and smoothly steered the ship. Johannes Radebe was a legend and his understanding of the contest from a pro’s perspective will prove invalauble. Josh Widdicombe was enthusiastic and entertaining, although the loud laughing into his mic might need to be turned down.
At least that’s their first-night nerves out of the way. An even sterner test will come next weekend, of course, as we go live for the first time. No pressure, you three. But a promising start.
Ginger Neil left on the shelf
No celebrity partner for Neil Jones again. Sadface. The Ginger Jiggler will be on the subs’ bench alongside three of the new pros. They’ll be ensemble dancers and provide injury cover. And in Neil’s case, of course, elbow his way to the front every time there’s a camera nearby. Don’t go changing, my sweet auburn prince.
Bethany Antonio’s partnership with Nancy Xu is an intriguing one.
Melanie Walters, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Sarah Storey and Graeme Hall should also be fun to watch.
Sparkly scouting report
Early days, of course but on tonight’s evidence, who do we predict might dance deep into the contest? I rather liked the look of Lacey Turner, Tabby Stoecker, Cach Mercer, Dani Dyer, Will Best, Jaime Winstone and Lawrence Robb.
As the sparkly confetti settles and the newly formed couples bond over a carton of Ribena Toothkind backstage, stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
