Razzle, Dazzle 'em

Let's call the Register for the class of 2014

15 shiny new celebrities - check
12 tried and tested professionals - check
3 brand new professionals - check
1 slightly dusty Bruce Forsyth (part timer this year) - check
4 judgemental judges - check
1 superb band with wonderful singers - check
2 pretty girls to host the whole thing - check
1000's (or possibly millions of....)  sequins - check
100's of godets - check
1 Glitterball trophy - check
1 Launch show full of all the above and more - check

Okay, so let's START DANCING.......

First group dance of the season

First up, let's deal with the changes. No more Artem Chigvintsev (Boo! Hoo!), no more James Jordan and poor Robin Windsor has just had surgery on a back injury, so is out of this series as a contestant. Also no longer with the show, and after only one series is Anya Garnis. Brucie will only be around for a couple of episodes, so we have Tess at the helm with Claudia Winkleman as her very able sidekick. We also have three new dancers, Joanne Clifton (yes, she is Kevin's sister), Australian Trent Whiddon and Irishman Tristan MacManus who have both danced in the US version of Strictly.

James Jordan was effectively sacked, probably for being too opinionated. He was offered a reduced role as a 'backing' dancer but refused (as I'm sure the powers that be knew he would) and he is currently ensconced in the Celebrity Big Brother House picking fights with Audley Harrison!

Artem is currently in the US and has decided to stay there for the time being where he will be taking part in America's version of Strictly, 'Dancing With The Stars'. His dancing partner will be Lea Thompson, an actress best known for her various incarnations of Lorraine McFly in the 'Back To The Future' films. 

I might have to keep an eye on Artem's progress via YouTube. Back to Strictly and we know who our celebrities are paired up with after last nights show.

First off, we have Greg Wallace, Masterchef judge, with Aliona Vilani who appears to have pissed someone off as this is the second year she has been handed a damp squib, Aliona has also previously won the glitterball with Harry Judd in 2011 and was runner up with Matt Baker back in 2010. Then Jake Wood (Eastenders) was given Janette Manrara who last year made it to week 4 with fashion designer Julien Macdonald and Strictly favourite Ola Jordan who won with Chris Hollins in 2009 was paired with Steve Backshall.

Lucky girl Iveta Lukosiute got the good looking, fit rugby player Thom Evans while very lucky Caroline Flack managed to snag popular professional dancer Pasha Kovalev. The tall and pretty Mrs. Brown's Boys actress Jennifer Gibney has Irish new boy Tristan MacManus to teach her the moves (I see the possibility of a little Irish dancing being snuck in somewhere along the line).

Popstar Pixie Lott and Australian new boy Trent Whiddon certainly make a pretty pair and Kristina Rihanoff seemed made up with 'Blue' boy Simon Webbe.  At first glance it would seem that Natalie Lowe has drawn the short straw with antiques expert Tim Wonnacott, but she seemed genuinely pleased...either that or she has amazing acting skills.

The only new female professional Joanne Clifton is dancing with Radio One DJ Scott Mills and ex TOWIE star Mark Wright has Karen Hauer as his partner. Aljaz Skorjanec is partnered with the delightful This Morning reporter Alison Hammond. I've like Alison ever since she was in Big Brother years ago and I hope she does as well as Lisa Riley did, as she rocks it for us larger ladies.

And finally we have the always kind and funny Anton Du Beke with Tennis Coach Judy Murray. Casualty actress Sunetra Sarker has (used to be grumpy, but seems to have changed his ways) Brendan Cole and the wonderful Kevin Clifton has a good chance with Saturday's singer Frankie Bridge... unless she turns out to have two left feet of course.

So, there you have it. We just have to wait three interminably looooong weeks until the start of the series proper on Friday and Saturday 26th and 27th September.

By the way, the Strictly launch show averaged 8.4 million viewers while The X Factor, shown at the same time, averaged 7 million. Just saying.........
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                  Tracey