Matt Monro Forum

Here's the line up for Strictly which starts on Saturday..



"After weeks of speculation our line-up of stellar Strictly stars have finally been revealed. For your dance delectation we have a dazzling selection of celebrities from the worlds of pop, film, sport and TV. It might just be the greatest Strictly line-up ever…


The Strictly celebrities of 2012.

Fresh from their Olympic glory, Louis Smith and Victoria Pendleton, flying the flag for Team GB; Bringing their considerable charisma from the catwalk and the film set are Jerry Hall and Colin Salmon.

Much loved ladies of TV, Denise Van Outen and Fern Britton. Westlife’s Nicky Byrne and Girl’s Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh (adding a touch of pop glamour).

From the Queen Vic to The Woolpack, soap stars Sid Owen and Lisa Riley; Ashes hero, Michael Vaughan and CBBC favourite Dani Harmer. Showbiz hack Richard Arnold, more used to reporting on Strictly than shaking his stuff. And finally… TV legend Johnny Ball, who will make his appearances on It Takes Two, with daughter Zoe, completely unmissable."
From Yahoo.

That is sounding good--I am backing Kimberley to win-although I have never seen her dance--as such !!

That sounds a good line up and something to look forward to on Saturdays again., but surely Denise Van Outen must have an advantage after being in theatre musicals such as Chicago etc, but maybe some rules have been relaxed to get contestants.
I understand that Brucie is going to take a break about halfway through the series. Ahhhhhhhhh !!!!!

Darcey Bussell is the new female judge

Can't wait- BBC rules

We have enjoyed the last Two nights of Strictly. There's Craig with his usual acid tongue working overtime, and Darcy finishing every line of advice with --yeah yeah yeah. she must be a Beatles fan.
Len is gradually working up to his randy answers, and Bruno needs to go to Specsavers, specially when everyone else but he didn't see a smile on Richard Arnolds face We also thought Richard danced very well.
Some really good performances from the dancers. Lisa Riley was surprisingly brilliant, had great movement and Rhythm and strength too to lift Robin Windsor up at the end of the dance. Louis Smith was really good too and could go far. Sid Owen, Colin Salmon, Kimberley Walsh, Denise Van Outen, all performed well. Victoria Pendleton did well but was left tearful, and as for poor Johnny Ball, he will really need some practice and Jerry Hall somehow forgot she was meant to be dancing the Cha Cha with Anton and danced with her hair instead. She was doing her Rita Hayworth bit.
This should be a good series.

Great review Lena and Harry

We have started counting Darcys use of the word 'yeah' and expect the critics to pick up on it too.
Never thought of associating Jerry Hall with Rita Hayworth,but you are so right and that will be why my Mum phoned us to say how much she liked her

As you say though it is going to be great series

I really enjoyed it too--the only downside was Craig downmarking the new female dancer on doing a lift--we all know by now that she should not have done it, but--well she is new to the show--all he had to say was that if they did it again, they would be penalised--but not on the first dance out.

Liisa must be thrilled to be top of the Board--but there are some strong female dancers---and Sid Owen surprised me too. Cannot see Johnny lasting long--esppecially now that they have bought the dance-off back.

Today's newspaper made a comment about Darcy Bussell's use of the word, yeah or yah after commenting and giving advice to the dancers.
So many expressions have found their way into our vocabuary. For instance-- y-know what I mean, and ---Like-- and Innit, and as for Pleb, I confess I didn't even know the meaning of the word.
I'll have to get out more.

And of course Sid Owen. I Forgot about him. He was really good but very nervous, but that's understandable with all of them.

I noticed that with Darcy--but maybe she was nervous too !

It surprised us to see Johnny Ball eliminated in week Two. I suppose we were expecting the usual scenario for the public to keep someone like Johnny in.
Jerry Hall had learned some of the steps that Anton had taught her, but no improvement in her rhythm or style whatsoever, so no surprise to see her in the dance off. Not a lot to choose between her and Michael Vaughan, who just danced as though he was totally unaware that music was accompaying him
I like Richard Arnold and was really pleased to see that he and Erin are still in, but this series could be quite different to previous ones. Some good dancers and that includes Lisa Riley

I agree about Lisa Riley...........she was full of energy and bouncing all over the place

Lisa Riley has had some dance coaching in the past, but so have Kimberley, Denise and Dani, so we'll see.

Nice to see Dionne Warwick's appearance on the show in spite of her having an injured foot, but to suddenly have those dancers ( as good as they are ) prancing about while you are supposed to be listening and watching her singing, I think it's not only distracting but a little bit disrespectful to the singer, even though her voice is now not the voice that it was. Only my opinion of course.

I also think Lisa Riley is very good I hope she goes far, I have been voting for her I don't think she will win what with all the competition, but she is just so great and bubbley.

I thought Michael Vaughan was SO better this week. Good for him!
I never vote though, as I don't think it makes any difference, only to your bank account!