Matt Monro Forum

The papers this morning are full of the new line up for the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing, so I expect you'll all know most of the names of the people taking part already, but just in case, here they are again...
Jodie Kidd (Model)
Rachel Stevens (ex S Club 7)
Christine Bleakley (The One Show)
Gillian Taylforth
Jessie Wallace
Phil Daniels (All ex Eastenders)
Cherie Lunghi (Actress)
Andrew Castle (GMTV presenter)
Austin Healey (Rugby player)
Don Warrington (Rising Damp actor)
Heather Small (singer)
Gary Rhodes (chef)
Mark Foster (swimming star)
Tom Chambers (Holby City)
John Sergeant (Political broadcaster)
Lisa Snowdon (George Clooney's ex)

The series begins on Saturday September 20th on BBC1.
Brucie as the host naturally.

Marian

I did not know all the names--just a few , so it is good to see the whole list-I will send it on to my sister. Some interesting names there.

I did not know that Lisa Snowden, had been involved with George Clooney--is that the same Lisa Snowden who did ""Look through the Keyhole" with David Frost ?

I'm afraid I don't know Marian. This one is partnered with Strictly 'bad boy' Brendan Cole though!
Marian

From today's news...controversy already before it's even started!

The new series of Strictly Come Dancing hasn't even started yet and already the show has been hit by a scandal!

Actress Cherie Lunghi, who is one of the 16 contestants taking part in the new series, is a trained dancer, reports today's Daily Mirror.

The paper claims that in a 2001 interview Cherie said she had starred in ballet productions as a teenager and had been dancing from a very young age.

It also quotes a BBC press release for the drama Cutting It, in which Cherie starred, which states that she is 'skilled at ballet, ballroom, jazz and tap-dancing'.

Marian

I suppose that logically Emma Bunton could be said to have had some dance experience---and the winner of the last US "Dancing with the stars" their equivalent of SCD, was Christy Yamaguci who had won Olympic medals with her ice dancing.

I have only ever heard of Cherie Lunghi as an actres, so I would guess her dancing days are way behind her.

And I believe that Penny Lancaster had been said to have had dance experience.

There's no doubt that some who have entered these series have clearly had Two left feet, but we would say that many, the ladies in particular who enter for this competition, would have had some experience or at least some interest in dancing.

A different start to begin this series with the men being under scrutiny.
We thought that Austin Healey and Tom Chambers stood out as the best this week and Phil Daniels and Don Warrington looking as if they need a lot of help.... but who knows. It's early days.
We're out tonight so we'll have the tape on for the result.
Must look in next week though for Bette Midlers appearance on the show.

I agree it's difficult to judge so early on in the competition and I also agree with your choice for the best two so far.
Enjoy this evening, and we promise not to disclose the result from tonight's show until you've had a chance to watch it Lena and Harry
Marian

Thanks Marian, we will probably watch it when we get back home. but you never know.

Well it was a bit of a surprise result, but I agreed with the decision about who should stay.
Hope you enjoy the programme Lena and Harry and get to see it before hearing or seeing the result.
Bette Midler looked fantastic.
Also hope you enjoyed seeing Al again tonight. Really looking forward to tomorrow.
Marian

We did watch the programme when we got home last night and it was as we predicted.
Bette Midler did look good, we thought they said she was to appear next week
We had another nice evening seeing AL again Marian. Will be looking forward to seeing John this morning, and you and Peter later.

Hope you all have a great time tonight---Lena & Harry, Marian & Peter, & John. I am really sorry that I am going to have to miss it--but looking forward to hearing all about it.

We had the most wonderful time Marian, it is such a shame you weren't there with us.
Al Martino was great, I'll write more about his show on Al's section and I'm sure Lena, Harry and John will too.
Marian

Another surprise, for me anyway, tonight with Gillian Taylforth going.
The public seem to have it in for the Eastenders cast offs! Then Jessie Wallace was favourite to go and she stayed, so who knows..
Marian

I was sure that Jessie was going--not that she was bad--just not as good as the others--I thought out of the 2 in the dance off, that Jodie and Ian were just brilliant--just wonder how and why they were in the dance off in the first place. I felt sorry for Gillian-but someone had to go, and they all seemed really good .