September is once again upon us: uniforms hanging in the wardrobe, shoes shined and... fake tan applied??? So put your best foot forward if you want to avoid the headmaster’s study because it’s back to Strictly time!
Last Sunday, Strictly Come Dancing returned to our screens in a whirl of sequins after eight long Cha-Cha free months. As the BBC aptly put it, ‘real life just isn’t as sparkly’. Now the dance shoes are back on and the glitter ball has been dusted off in anticipation of a superb series 12.
After a spectacular launch, the Strictly class of 2014 are working hard to master their heel turns and perfect their frames before their Ballroom début. Already people are selecting their favourites with singer-song writer Pixie Lott tipped to win. She is likely to face stiff competition, however, from fellow musician Simon Webbe, who appeared in the 2011 Strictly Christmas Special, and heart throb Thom Evans (former Scottish rugby player). Amongst this year’s intake there will also feature ‘This Morning’ host Alison Hammond, TV presenter Caroline Flack, Frankie Bridges from The Saturday’s, Master Chef’s Greg Wallace, Eastenders' Jake Wood, mother and tennis coach Judy Murray, Radio 1 Presenter Scott Mills, Jennifer Gibney - star of Mrs Brown’s Boys, The Only Way is Essex’s Mark Wright, wildlife programme presenter Steve Backshell, Casualty’s Sunetro Sarker and presenter of the Antiques Roadshow Tim Wonnacott.
As with the start of every new year though, we are pleased to introduce some new faces and say goodbye to some much loved characters. This year Strictly welcomes Trent Whiddon, Joanne Clifton (sister to Kevin from Grimsby) and Tristan MacManus to the professional line-up, while saying goodbye to Artem Chigvintsev, James Jordan and Robin Windsor. Sadly this year we also had to say goodbye to Strictly stalwart Bruce Forsyth, who is to be replaced by Claudia Winkleman. Although Bruce will no longer be hosting Strictly, he has not stopped dancing quite yet and promises to return for the Christmas Special and Strictly does Children in Need.