It's finally here; the day we've all been waiting for; the start of Strictly Season 2011!
The ninth series launches with a red-carpet event at 6.10pm on BBC One on Saturday 10th September. The hour-long show will see the celebrities finding out for the first time who their professional partners are. There will also be a group dance by the celebrities and the professional dancers giving viewers at home the chance to see who the early favourites are and who might need to put in a few extra hours of training.
There’s lots to look forward to this year including the biggest ever dance floor and live programme from Wembley Arena, with an audience of around 6,500 Strictly fans, in aid of Children In Need. The programme will also return to Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom for the Grand Final for the first time since series two, which will be shown in dazzling 3D.
Throughout the series, viewers can get all the up-to-date gossip and dancing action over on BBC Two on the weekday sister show, It Takes Two, with new presenter Zoe Ball.
Lawyer, writer and entrepreneur, Nancy Dell’Olio
Nancy first came to the public’s attention during the very public affair her partner and England manager Sven Goran Eriksson had with Ulrika Jonsson. I look forward to seeing Nancy perform and bringing her own sense of style to the show.
Former football bad boy, Robbie Savage
Robbie Savage has had a long football career; playing internationally with Wales and being Skipper for Derby County. I had the pleasure of meeting Robbie last year during my grandad’s statue unveiling alongside Brian Clough at Derby County. He was a gentleman.
Waterloo Road actress, Chelsee Healey
I don’t know a lot about Chelsee Healey as I don’t watch Waterloo Road but that doesn’t mean anything in Strictly land. It’s always the quiet ones!
Impressionist and comedian, Rory Bremner
Rory has been on our television screens for many years making us laugh; will he be any good at dancing? He’s known for so many tv shows such as Spitting Image, Bremner, Bird and Fortune and Who’s Line is it Anyway. Let’s hope we don’t laugh him off the dance floor. Would we?
Actress and singer, Holly Valance
Kiss Kiss. Need I say more? OK I will. Those of us of a certain age will remember Holly as the perky “Flick” on Neighbours until she broke out into her singing career with the hit Kiss Kiss and THAT video. She had the moves then; high hopes for Holly.
Pop heartthrob, Harry Judd from McFly
I’ve always know Harry as “the fit drummer” from McFly. Being a drummer one would hope his amazing sense of rhythm will translate onto the dance floor. And let’s not forget he’s alreay taken to the floor with our lovely Ola Jordan and WON for the Children in Need Strictly special last year.
Star of screen and stage, Anita Dobson
Anita is well known for playing Angie Watts in Eastenders and is married to Queen guitarist Brian May. Anita is also a stage actress so she should be comfortable with live performances.
Astrologer and entertainer, Russell Grant
Russell Granty has reportedly lost 10 stone to be in Strictly which is an amazing feat. Many people have already written him off as a “joke” contestant but I wonder what the stars say?
Musical icon and entertainer, Lulu
Pint sized Lulu has been singing since the sixties and has spanned four decades as a successful recording artist. Lulu won the Eurovision song content in 1969 and had UK hits with Shout and Relight my Fire with Take That. Singers often do well in Strictly so she’ll be one to watch!
Former professional tennis player and TV presenter, Daniel Lobb
Dan Lobb is currently the sports presenter for Daybreak on ITV and used to play tennis professionally; reaching the rank of 18 in Britain. Oooh sportsmen are always competitive.
Former MP, writer and broadcaster, Edwina Currie
Craig Revel Horwood has already said Edwina is not his favourite contestant saying to The Sun: “I think she could potentially be a nightmare on the show.” But let’s give her a chance shall we?
Olympic Gold medallist and boxer, Audley Harrison
Ah another sportsman. Excellent. At the Sydney Olympics Audley became the first British fighter to win an Olympic gold medal in the superheavyweight division and is over 6 feet 5 inches tall! Crikey.
Australian pop and stage star, Jason Donovan
Guess it’s gonna be a cold lonely summer. Love that Jason Donovan song; I was completely in love with him. Moving on; an early favourite with the fans is our Jason and he shouild have a good sense of rhythm as he is already a seasoned performer playing Tick (Mitzi) in the London stage musical production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre in 2009.
TV presenter, Alex Jones
BBC golden girl Alex Jones is our final celeb to complete to line-up of 14 and BBC presenters always do well. No pressure Alex.
