I shall be writing about Strictly on a regular basis, not sure how often we shall see, but I always find the first few weeks rather bewildering. So many people leaping around and I have difficulty sorting them out. This year's selection of Slebs is rather boring and there is nobody really exciting there at all. Wonder if they have difficulty in getting people to appear but I would not think that likely. Have heard rumours that Pippa Middleton was going to be on it, but thank the lord no sign of the Decorative One. Also heard that they asked Paul Hollywood and he turned it down. Now what wouldn't I give to see Himself doing a cha cha cha??
I had hoped that now Brucie was gone my mute button would be less used, but alas no. I could just about tolerate Tess before as she was upstairs with the contestants most of the time and her banalities were limited. Now she is fronting it all her total lack of class is even more evident and I am simply amazed that she has this job, I really am. Claudia Winkleman does a wonderful job with chatting up and interviewing the couple as they come off and she has a natural ease that Tess lacks.
Judges are the same: Craig the pantomime villain (though he was very generous this week): Darcy with her drawl and Yah; Len with his cockney wit, for want of a better word and Bruno drooling over the men with muscles which can get a trifle wearying after a while.
Tom, the handsome ex-rugby player, was a tad wooden and though he said he welcomed constructive criticism, he did not look too thrilled. Got the impression he thought he just had to turn up and pose and he would be fine, not so. Alison, who I gather is on morning TV, is a large lady but burstring with personality and her cha cha cha brought the house down. She looked as if she was having a simply wonderful time and this was transmitted to the audience who responded generously.
Mixture of good and very good and then the DIRE and Greg Wallace takes the crown this week. Think of Dad dancing at a wedding only worse. He is so bad that he may just last a few weeks which is what usually happens as the Great British Public always like to see people make fools of themselves.
Judy Murray looked petrified and was dragged round the dance floor by Anton who was wearing a kilt. I am saying nothing....
WIll do a more detailed review of it all when the contestants have been winnowed out a bit, always gets more interesting by week three.
One thing I note is that Kristina Rihanoff has, apparently, been given somebody to partner who is 'not in a relationship' such is her reputation for breaking up marriages, engagements etc. I shall be interested to see what transpires with the other couples this year.....