Zara McDermott #strictly

Possibly not the standard strictly contestant but having a reality background is no bad thing. The kind of casting that may migrate new and younger viewers (under 40s) to the show.
PROB Kai
WOULD LIKE Johannes
OUT OF THE BOX Carlos

Nikita Kanda #strictly

Another dark horse – extortionately pretty, a great sense of humour and has rather better radio ratings than you might think. The audience will grow to love her. Hello One Show...?
PROB Vito
WOULD LIKE Giovnani
OUT OF THE BOX Nikita

Les Dennis #strictly

Populist casting. Has range within showbiz; can absolutely take direction but feel he could have done with being on the show 5 years ago. Expecting Russ Abbot in the audience
PROB Nadiya
WOULD LIKE Katya
OUT OF THE BOX Dianne

Layton Williams #strictly

Honestly, if I were on this cast I wouldn’t bother turning up. Ringer. Have loved him since he was Kylie in "Beautiful People". The poise! The art!! THE LIFTS!!!!
PROB Johannes
WOULD LIKE Kai
OUT OF THE BOX Carlos

Krishnan Guru-Murthy #strictly

Newstypes - especially male – don’t have the best of reputations but I feel Krishnan is up for this. Secretly hoping for some Bollywood Realness for Movie Week – plenty to choose from!
PROB Jowita
WOULD LIKE Jowita
OUT OF THE BOX Michelle

Jody Cundy #strictly

Paracycling hero. Should cope with the cardio exercise but may need help with the acting and rhythm. His outburst during the 2012 Paralympics proves he has passion and wants to win!
PROB Dianne
WOULD LIKE Karen
OUT OF THE BOX Nadiya

Ellie Leach #strictly

Another soap person, in the vein of the Katie McGlynn type. Could be the type to flourish once she gets into it but may struggle to get the audience at home on side.
PROB Nikita
WOULD LIKE Graziano
OUT OF THE BOX Neil

Eddie Kadi #strictly

Possibly the most famous person no-one has heard of in this year’s cast. Expecting more Afrobeat choons on the dancefloor and plenty of laughs in Claudia's lounge.
PROB Nancy
WOULD LIKE Luba
OUT OF THE BOX Jowita

Annabel Croft #strictly

Another Treasure Hunt presenter - but Interceptor was better. Should not struggle physically but may with the timing and rhythm. Tennis players never fare that well.
PROB Carlos
WOULD LIKE Gorka
OUT OF THE BOX Giovanni

Angela Scanlon #strictly

Engaging presenter with a background in styling and will be a walking, talking, dancing sartorial masterclass. May be a bit of a dark horse.
PROB Graziano
WOULD LIKE Nikita
OUT OF THE BOX Kai

Angela Rippon #strictly

The Grande Dame of Come Dancing and Eurovision (and other stuff). She will turn back the clock for us old folk but also wow the youngies with her pep and verve
PROB Giovanni
WOULD LIKE Carlos
OUT OF THE BOX Johannes

Adam Thomas #strictly

Soap type with a laddish charm. Seems to be a good egg and has a life outside of the telly. Feeling he could be the Will Mellor type – liked by the boys but also by the grannies.
PROB Katya
WOULD LIKE Dianne
OUT OF THE BOX Lauren

Believe it or not but the start of #strictly season is only 7 days away... It's your countdown to Christmas !!!!
I've made some notes about each of our 15 stars but also had a think (not a hard think, but a think nonetheless) about who everybody could/should be paired with

I see Nigel Harman is taking part in this years #strictly. No doubt they’ll keep banging on about Eastenders, and not his starring role in The Smith and Jones Christmas Video.

Wow. I've actually know some of this year's Strictly celebrity line-up. That's rare. 💃🕺

#Strictly #BList #BBC

More good announcements for #strictly over the last couple of days. Looking forward to it starting.

Who on earth is "Strictly's Amanda Abbington"? I'd literally never heard of her before today.

#strictly

Ok so Krishnan Guru-Murthy was definitely not on my #Strictly sweepstake!

Angela Rippon - blimey #strictly https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66408141

3 good ones so far #bbcstrictly #strictly