GRAB your partners, TV’s spangliest show is back.
BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing made a brief but glitzy reappearance on Saturday to show us this year’s batch of celebrities being paired up with professional dance partners.
Once more, Anton Du Beke drew the short straw with the ‘celeb’ who could be this year’s John Sergeant, former Tory battleaxe Ann Widdecombe. And boy, did she look scared.
Alongside former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, DJ Goldie and soap actors Scott Maslen, Tina O’Brian, Kara Tointon and Patsy Kensit, there’s Billy Connolly’s wife, Charlotte Church’s soon-to-be ex-husband, Paul Daniels and Countryfile presenter Matt Baker.
But my tips for the top are East Is East actor Jimi Mistry, former Destiny’s Child Michelle Williams and, possibly the great surprise, Felicity Kendal — who had a definite natural grace.
Three new male dancers have replaced Strictly fans’ favourites, Matthew Cutler, Darren Bennett and Ian Waite — with the latter two joining a new ‘dance troupe’ on the show with three unknown females and a third, unknown, man.
While in principal the idea of extra pro dances is good, forcing such popular dancers out of the main competition could backfire on the Beeb.
We’ve just got to wait until October 1 for the start of the show proper when the competition begins.
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