When I saw the list of those taking part this year I found myself saying WHO WHO WHO as I did not recognise half of them. But I have found in the past that when this is the case it does not really matter because by the time we are into week five or six I DO know who they are and can warm or not warm to them no matter if their Slebness has passed me by.
So week 2 has now come and gone and I am beginning to sort them out.
We have a new male dancer in Graziano who I find quite offputting. He is playing the Italian Stallion image to the hilt with a moustache, silly little beard and long curly greasy hair which makes my stomach turn. He is labouring under the illusion that he is fascinating and in the first week grandstanded round his partner in a big way. Craig spotted it and soon cut him down to size. This week he was better though he had weird eye make up that made him llook like Buster Keaton. Take off all the extra hair and oil and I rather think he would look very ordinary.
Cannot run through all the dancers this week as there are still so many of them but quick thoughts on those I remember.
Charles Venn is from Casualty. I know this because I have been told. It seems that every year we have to have somebody from this prog or Holby City or Eastenders. I think this must be the first year we have not had somebody from Eastenders***. I suspect they have run out of people. Charles is black, tall and gorgeous and boy do we know it because he knows it too. A poor man's Idris Elba. Has an annoying habit of referring to himself in the the third person. I find him acutely irritating but have to admit he is a good dancer.
Lee Thingy is a refugee from a boy band way back when I gather. I know nothing about him. He seems bland and quite nice.
Sean Thingy is a comedian. He does not make me laugh.
Graeme Swann - a great spin bowler and I have watched him play cricket for years. On the radio commentating team he is an irritant and thinks he is funny. Nobody else does. However, he is having a real go at this and I found myself rather liking him last week. He is also partnered with the Lovely Oti. This week, however, he had a rubbish routine and did not shine.
Ashley - another ex member of another girl band. I only know her because she was once a judge on Dancing on Ice and I remember thinking at the time WHO is this woman? I am still thinking that. Great dancer but then she is a ringer. She will do well, the judges love her, surprise, but she will not win. The GBP have a habit of turfing professional dancers out just when they think they are going to get their mitts on the gllitter ball.
Danny - an older dancer and, again, I have no prior knowledge of him, but like him very much. I gather he has had dance experience as well but I find myself warming to his personality. Cool guy and a pleasure to watch.
Faye - another ex girl band member. She seems a nice down to earth lady and she is partnered with Giovanni who I simply adore. He treated Debbie McGee with such warmth and respect last year and gained a huge amount of fans for that. He and Faye did a sexy Vienesse waltz last night if that does not sound contradictory and he was wearing black and red. Oh be still my beating heart. I may not see 70 again but when I watch him the sap rises....
Joe - a vlogger I gather. He is young, skinnny, with hair. Seems sweet.
Katie Piper - a totally inspirational woman who has overcome pain and adversity after an acid attack by her ex several years ago. Clearly a bag of nerves on the show she has been partnered with Gorka, who is a sweetie, and he is taking care of her. She is blind in one eye and also has breathing problems I gather so to do this is brave and courageous. Everyone is willing her on.
Dr Ranj - a real doctor I am told. I know nothing about him. Again. He has great eyebrows and teeth and seems a nifty mover. He is partnered with Jeanette so both tiny which, natch, means Tess comes out with Oh Bless and Pocket Rocket. Pass the sick bag.
Leaving it now but have to mention kate Silverton who I really really llike. A tall lady with big feet, her own description, she is partnered with the lovely Aljaz and so far has impressed me enormously. Loved her tango tonight.
Claudia lumbered with awful jokes tonight as per. Note to scriptwriters Do NOT do this, she is much better off piste. I understand that you cannot allow Tess to do this as she has the natural talent of a newt, but not Claudia.
Tess - see comments above re Pocket rocket etc. She is also well into clutch mode. I know she has to make sure the couples have to hit their marks but then Just Let Go. Please.
Judges - love Craig. Bruno as mad as ever but when he sits down and crits properly he has a lot of good things to say. Darcy easily swayed by a good looking man. Shirley ditto and not kind to the ladies I notice.
And I have to close with a note about Anton who is always but always lumbered with the dead wood. He has taken a lof of flack for taking the mick with Suannah but what can you do with a woman who cannot dance and has been given a Latin to do the first week? If she had been given the foxtrot as she was last night she might have been better and had time to build her confidence. But watching her was painful. Anton was pulling her through it and talking to her all the time and she looked half glazed.
So first post done and dusted. I know the result but will not say though I think everyone knows who is going to go.
Back next week. I am keeping my Saturday nights free throughout the autumn because I love following the Guardian live blog and joining in the fun BTL. It is like party night down there and enormous fun.
In the spirit of Strictly I now have pink hair. Not the full dayglo but pretty much pink. Got up this morning and went to the bathroom and caught myself in the mirror and reared back. I had forgotten about the colour and gave myself quite a turn....
*** I understand Lee Thingy has been in Eastenders. I have it from a reliable source!
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