Even more new Strictly Pros!

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Here

I noticed Emma Slater's gone (perhaps they realised she was British!).

Fifteen seems an odd number though, I like equal numbers of men and women. And I suppose a pro will be left without a partner for group dances. I think it might be Anton, but I was hoping he'd be put with Iveta, and we'd get some ballroom for once.

I'm getting excited now, I've had my e-mail about applying for tickets for the launch shows

(Oh, and for anybody who dances and is after some new shoes, the IDS sale has just started.)

[Noseynoonoo]

Yes you are right that they probably noticed she was British and that just wouldn't do. I find it extremely hard to believe that there are no suitable British female dancers who would like the gig.

[CeliaFate]

Just saw on Twitter that Strictly starts a week Saturday 6th September. Cannot wait. Not keen on the look of Janette Manmarra, she reminds me of Kat Slater!
I think Anton should have gone when Erin did.

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

She only started formally studying ballroom at 19?! Flipping heck, that's older than I was when I started.

[CeliaFate]

Vanessa Feltz announced as the first celebrity. I'm not overly keen on her but I'll reserve judgement.

[FrankelInFoal]

Marking my spot ready for 6th Sept

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

She had to get around to Strictly eventually I suppose

I think Artem will be praying he's not paired up with her, after Fern Britton!

(Oh Frankel, I've been meaning to say congratulations I've seen you on a couple of threads, but didn't want to look stalker-ish!)

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Bother, I've nc-ed again, so you'll have no idea who I am and I probably do sound very stalker-ish! I was HairpinsAndLacquer last time I spoke to you

[FrankelInFoal]

Thanks Polkadots/Hairpins . It's bringing my dancing to a bit of a hiatus - I was due to take my Latin teaching exam in October, but I'm happy to wait until after this little person arrives

[saintmerryweather]

have all the new dancers been in burn the floor? it seems to be their recruiting grounds for the pros! im still gutted that aliona has gone, i luffs her, and flavia

[CloudOfStarlings]

No aliona will be back! She tweeted yesterday that she was coming back, then the tweet mysteriously disappeared later in the day. Rumour is she's replacing an injured pro.

[Fiderer]

FrankelInFoal That'll teach me to read usernames fully

Many hoofy congratulations

[Gigondas]

All very exciting- is there going to be any announcement before next week or is it a surprise?

[Gigondas]

Sorry see its on Mondays one show

[Ellenora5]

Vanessa Feltz, well it was only a matter of time I suppose, wonder who else will be there, I love strictly, can't wait for it to come back

[FrankelInFoal]

I saw an article suggesting Susanna Reid had signed up.

And thanks Fiderer

[CloudOfStarlings]

Yep Susanna Reid has confirmed she's doing it I think? I am beyond excited for it to start.. highlight of my year

[member]

Re the fifteen pro dancers - there are to be 15 celebs too this year

[CeliaFate]

Tony Jacklin has now been announced. Not impressed by the two so far!

[Noseynoonoo]

Apparently Abby Clancey - if true I am furious that the BBC think a fake-breasted, trout-pout WAG is appropriate. Really scraping the barrel.

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Yes, I don't know why they are having an odd number, it doesn't make sense!

[CeliaFate]

After last year I thought they'd really upped their game with celebs that everyone knows. This year? Has the budget been cut?!

[CloudOfStarlings]

member I think people were questioning the odd number of pros cos it means the pros can't all partner up for their own numbers.. talk on twitter that Anton won't be in some group numbers cos of no Erin.. but nothing known for sure as bbc are being annoyingly quiet about it all!

[FrankelInFoal]

I wonder if they've got an extra celeb in because of worries about drop outs. If one goes due to injury/personal reasons then it screws up the numbers in the final rounds.

I'll have to quiz my dance teacher on the new pros to see if she knows them. She's got quite annoyed with them not using proper Latin/Ballroom specialists when there are so many great dancers out there. They seem to favour jazz/modern dancers instead, which is a great shame as you never then see the dances danced as well as they can be.

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Iveta's good, but I don't know the rest at all.

I was hoping we'd have a couple of new ballroom specialists though, I feel it's been a bit sidelined recently in the pro dances.

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

The one from Countdown has just been revealed, Rachel thing-y.