I think it's an interesting line up. There's something for everyone.

i rather have the criminal Thomas as first boot honestly :idc:

here Kristian is, at a concert, ''DJ Hodor'' with his remix of the GoT theme

enlighten us then please, what would your realistic line up be then? in terms of diversity, inclusivity?



because ages wise, i mean 3 60+ stars, 1 50+ star, 3 40+ stars, 5 30+ stars and 3 20+ stars is pretty much diverse from that perspective as well



and Kristian, Stefan, Alex are solid actor bookings, from respectively popular shows like Game of Thrones or Neighbours, or Doctor Who, ER, Arrow


and those who say we haven't got a music star, well Stefan also ticks that box for sure since his song Don't It Make You Feel Good reached no.16 in the Irish and UK singles charts



even the sports stars are decent bookings
- a Rio 2016 Athletics Olympian and european champion in Harry
- a England Rugby team captain in Chris
- a goalscoring Premier League and Dutch International in Jimmy
- a ex lioness in a year of England women winning uefa euro's in Karen


a decent household name presenter in Ross, whom also had decent acting credits in films like The Day After Tomorrow, Half Past Dead, even had a guest role on CSI, even had some theatre experience in Guys and Dolls, Rocky Horror Show, Joseph and Technicolor Dreamcoat, he did present coverage of Olympic Games

Seconded

also look at US version series 34 line up how that one is shaping up


and think, it can always be worse, but not for me here, because many names who i recognize, the irony of some of you complaining, but not me :laugh:

12/15 i know now (only Ellie, George, La Voix i don't know)


last year that was 7/15

A Bluenose is on the Show.:dance:

I do agree with you about this line up looking poor though.

@Zizu

Not before Ellie.:fc:

Tut Mock. Ellie is lovely. I sort of get why you've said this, but it's also wrong to set against her, reverse favouritism. If she is a good dancer that's all that matters. If she's not then hopefully her disability won't unfairly keep her in but we've not even seen her yet.

Tbf we haven't seen Ross dance either.

I'm just being honest, Ellie would have to really impress me to get me off her case.

For the first time in my viewing of Strictly, I am going in with a bias against a contestant, and it's not even her fault I know that.

But I'm just picturing Shirley and Anton's comments right now.:umm2:

yes and i think Ross can potentially be highly entertaining, based on his theatre background (same how i have similar expectations for Stefan)


am scared for Alex, but i hope she has Aljaz because he is a great teacher

They have presumably taken into account Karen Carney’s dour personality and her being about 4’10” tall ?


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From my point of view, it ain’t great. Obviously other people are going to like it better and know more of the contestants but as i don’t watch much tv or sports i really don’t know many of them.

And i’ll get to know them and maybe even like some of them i’m sure… like Pete from last year, i thought i detested him but he ended up being my favourite but on face value, the line-up still ain’t impressing me sorryyyyyyyyyy

having Tom Skinner will massively boost the ratings this year despite the tiresome virtue signalling

having more older celebs in the cast is also a good thing, for this show's main audience group honestly


and having actors from quite some popular shows like Game of Thrones (Massively popular series/franchise) also one recurring guest star from the Arrowverse as well as her having been on Doctor Who, ER that is like appealing to audiences from 3 major shows with one actress


Neighbours is also very popular in the UK, think Stefan will have a similar positive reception by the public like Jason Donovan had in his series

Yes i can agree with this. I think a few of them will grow on us the longer they stay.

some on my 2026 wishlist

Hugh Laurie - House, Stuart Little, Tomorrowland Actor and Singer

Jerome Flynn - Game of Thrones Actor, Robson & Jerome Singer

Jimmy Barnes - Rock Singer (would be a nice one from rags to riches story, Jimmy literally grew up in the ghetto of Glasgow)


Vinnie Jones - Actor and Footballer


Donal Logue - Blade, Gotham, Law & Order: SVU Actor

Mark Cavendish - Former Olympic Road Cyclist




i can always wish for some of these i think :)

also think Hugh despite his age, would still be someone with potential, especially in ballrooms like Quickstep, Foxtrot, American Smooth

and we need him with a Paso Doble to Baba O'Riley honestly considering he jammed to that tune on that one House episode :laugh:



Jerome Flynn would just be a HOOT in the training room i think, also he would come across quite likeable and relatable to the public, similar to Hugh, i can also see potential in him in the ballrooms, given his style of music in Robson & Jerome




oh yes and how can i forget, John Barrowman, since he is a big fan of this show, i see a showman in John, also someone who can go all the way i think but not winning the show, similar to Debbie McGee :think:




Jimmy Barnes would a nice next aussie casting after Stefan

Fed up of hearing about flipping Donal it's never gonna happen.

or me, as the first civilian superfan contestant


and i'd even not rule out to perform one week in drag :fan: this straight bloke in drag, that'd be tv gold!

In your dreams

Oop why did that double quote lol

We need to start up a petition.:joker:

i'm predicting Dani to dance to ''Baby Love'' from Supremes :think:


considering she is a newly mum, and as of this years a Pampers brand ambassador




or Cry Baby by Clean Bandit and Anne Marie :think: maybe for a week 1 quickstep

i even know the fitting music for the background music in my VT


Kygo - For Life



since i love Michelle Tsiakkas for life!

Okay.:laugh:

okay i'll stop with Donal



how about Kim Wilde for 2026? i have her currently in a fan game, paired with Johannes



Max Whitlock only a matter of time i feel before he'll do this show too, i could easily see him with Michelle tbh

Manu Bennett anyone?


he recently hosted that one show The Summit, would be a nice next aussie star to sign up, decent enough profile also for UK viewers, and despite him being mid 50's i still see potential in him in being a possible contender among the cast


and we know he has talent, based on his complex character Slade Wilson/Deathstroke on Arrow, and people also recognize him from The Hobbit trilogy



i'd say Manu with Jowita would be heavenly, all the potential for so many lifts :flutter: he has a great personality as well, and back in the day he also played Sinbad for a TV Movie, and a role in Xena: Warrior Princess




still think Anthony Head could be a possibility for the older male slot, especially with the Buffy revival next year :think:, and recent years people also know him from Ted Lasso, and his daughters are also quite high profile actresses in many UK shows, imagine him dancing to his brother's banger One Night in Bangkok tbh :amazed: