Strictly Come Dancing

Good to see another Paralympian signed up. Will be interesting to see how they work around her only having one hand if they try any lifts.

I must admit I hadn't heard of Lauren - some Paralympians are higher profile - Johnnie Peacock, Ellie Simmonds etc. Plus with the various classes and categories there are a large number of athletes.

I'd just switched the One Show on and saw her talking and was trying to place her, thinking is she Soaps, Sports, Music etc. and I hadn't even noticed her arm as there were close up shots of her or Matt and Alex. It was only when they mentioned if she would wear a prosthesis that I realised she was a Paralympian.

Susannah Constantine has now been confirmed along with Casualty Actor Charles Venn. Charles has been in Casualty for about 3 years and has had a number of other high profile roles. He's apparently into his fitness regimes so could be a decent contender.

I just think it's generally a bit dull - there are no standout names for me.

Though equally there are no obvious complete duds so I guess I should be happy we don't have an obvious "comedy" contestant this year...

Where is the eye candy?
We will have to rely on the pros for that this year.

Meh!

It's so strange that the show is at its height success wise and yet they seem to really be struggling the last couple of years to get 'names'.

So the full line up has been announced. I am of the view that the show is the star and it does not really matter who is taking part, as you "get to know them" as the series and the contestants progress (or not!)

Having said that, compared to previous series, there is a distinct lack of big names which surprises me given the high profile nature of the show - it is surely the biggest "reality" show on TV at the moment. Tom Daley was rumoured to be taking part for example. But as previous posters have said many boxes have been ticked!

There have been some big names in the past - Jeremy Vine, Julian Clary, Jimmy Tarbuck, Stephanie Beacham, Felicity Kendal, Lulu, Jason Donovan, Patsy Kensit, John Barnes, Mark Foster etc. So this series is a bit lacking in big signings, but never the less I will be watching!

Very good point by Wickedgrin - the show is the star certainly since the late great Brucie departed it. Tom Daley would have been popular but he is apparently overcoming some injury and he and his husband/partner have only had their son under two months ago so that would be a huge priority for both of them. Tom no doubt has had lots of very lucrative offers to do a "celeb" show and may well do one in the future.

With the final competitors announced we have 8 women and 7 male celebs so I was thinking about the partnering up dynamics - there are 18 pros so which two women and which male will miss out. The departed Chloe Hewitt and Neil Jones were the spares last year. With Brendan gone the new pros are Johannes Radebe, Graziano Di Prima and Luba Mushtuk.

I'd figure that as Strictly's first black pro they will likely want to give Johannes a partner and Graziano will also I assume be used given his good looks so will Neil miss out again? Unless they decide to just feature one of the new guys in prominent pro dance roles.

With the girl pros - two will have to stand down so I'd guess it will be two out of Luba, Dianne and Amy. The other girl pros have all been on the series longer or are the female eye candy like Nadiya.

Awful lineup this season. I'm only interested in seeing Danny John Jules.

I actually really like this line up. It includes my favourite signing of all time and lots of people I do like. However, I think Ashley’s inclusion is a step too far in terms of previous experience. I do really like her though.

Ticket lottery open

www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/strictly_2018