Strictly Come Dancing’s 2009 contestants, format changes revealed

Scott dear,- here we go on this years SCD.
After reading through the participants list, I have to admit that most of the male "dancers" are unknown to me. I know who Phil Tufnell is, and we can only hope he is as quick and nimble on the dance floor as he is on quizz shows and on the cricket pitch! I suppose when I see the photos of the others, I'll be saying: " Ah yes, I know that face." about some of them.
On the female side, there is a lot of actresses,a couple of sporty ladies and one who's only accomplishment was to stay married to Ronnie Wood for 20 odd years without killing him! It showes staying power and stubbornness if nothing else!
I saw in the paper today that Craig has his claws out for Aleisha Dixon already. Poor girl if she'll be at the receiving end of his ascerbic comments! There could be handbags at dawn before round one is over!
Bring it on,- we'll be here with our intelligent and erudite comments, of course.

Oh thank you Scott Dear - quick off the mark as usual. Don't recognise some of the names and of course we have new dancers in - will miss Camilla and Karen, that goes without saying. Quite an interesting mix on the face of it - roll on the start!

Thanks Scott, here we go again, whoo hoo! I think that is a great mix of people. Really interesting though have to say my mind is boggling at the idea of one or two as dancers! Bring it on!

Hmmm an interesting mix indeed Pauline. Rav Wilding is one I'll be keeping my eye on ;)

Oh dear, I'm not going to be very good at commenting. I have only heard of 3 of the men and 2 of the women. In this series I think it is going to be the judges who cause the most interest and discussion. I do wish the PTB wouldn't mess with the format - it it ain't broke then don't mend it. Although I love Craig R-H I hope he is not too nasty to Alesha Dixon who is beautiful. Can't wait for the next series of a Question of Sport when Matt Dawson and Tuffers exchange Strictly quips across the studio.

I wouldn't worry too much, Jan -- after the first couple of weeks once everyone has danced, it becomes less about what the celebrities have done previously and how they're adapting to the rigours of the Strictly training schedule.

Last year, I didn't know too much about Austin Healey, Tom Chambers or Lisa Snowdon before the series started, but once everything got under way that didn't really matter.

Interesting for me as a tennis fan to see Martina Hingis in the line up.
I bet Sue and Matt on a Question of Sport take the p...s out of Phil Tufnell something rotten.

Thank you Scott for those comforting words and, of course, you are right in what you say. By the end of the series they will all be like members of one's family.

Well Jan - I'm with you I know 2 of the men and one of the women, but as Scot says once the dancing starts then you get to know them as dancers anyway and what they've done before doesn't matter.

Looking forward to the contest - but does that mean summer is over?

hmmmmmmm - where is the eye candy this year? Lots of attractive female contestants but we do need some well toned male chests as well. Quite a few familiar faces but no real A listers this time round. Great to see Anton with a partner who may get him through to perform all the dances at last! As we have lost two favourite pros does this mean we won't see Ramps and Tom again? Now that would be a real shame.

You want eye candy Cary's??? don't worry! wait until you see Rav Wilding......!!!

Sorry Carys, stray apostraphy there!

When it comes to eye candy, there will always be a place in my heart for Craig Kelly - from his days as a regular in Casualty, and then as Vince in Queer as Folk.

interesting cast this year No views so far. thank you scotty for this page. I personnally shall miss Irene as a judge.

Oooo Suex and Scott your promises of eye candy make me even more eager for the show!

Scott, I'm glad to see my requirements are there Brendan, Ian and Matthew, of course Anton too. I too will miss Camilla and Karen, it's a shame they are not 'playing' this time. As for the celebrities, I could pick out 4 from a line up, and probably the jockey if he is of normal jockey stature. I did see QaF, so I suppose I'd recognise him at a push, it's not the one that plays on that American show on BBC2, I suppose.
Of course I'll be glued to it as usual. I won't see much of Jo Wood's performance if the previous years are anything to go by.
If the BBC2 prog is on the the usual time during the week, what will my new dog say? I might have to resort to Iplayer, as she will have something to say if I don't rush out as soon as I get in.

Looking forward to it, even though I was seriously considering boycotting the show this year, after the sacking of Arlene, but then who will care if I don't tune in? I haven't missed a series yet, so I won't cut off my nose to spite my face!

I shall miss Arlene so much, I don't think there being two replacements for her will work. I did read somewhere that Camilla had decided before the end of the last series that she would quit, how lovely that she left on such a high. Am I the only one not keen on Vincent? (Perhaps I should have whispered that).

Looking forward to it, although I was seriously considering boycotting this series, after the sacking of Arlene, but who will care if I don't tune in? I haven't missed a series yet, so I won't cut off my nose to spite my face!

Sorry about the double post, the BBBT told me my post wasn't accepted because it had had too many posts from me?? Well it has now!

Jan, I'm shocked! not keen? I love watching Vincent.

Has Anton finally been given someone with a decent chance ?

I can see the logic of the double dance at the start in terms of fairness i.e. everyones gets a chance at a ballroom & LA. But it does mean a lot more of sitting though loads of not very good dancing with people you don't know.

You don't say what date it starts ?

Still waiting for official confirmation on start date, Sue, but September 18/19 look like being the dates for the first week.

There were photos of all the contestants in today's paper, and now I know who you mean, Scott dear. Not too bad, Craig Kelly. He's in Corrie at the moment, isn't he? We'll see what he's like close up. You know how most of us fell hook, line and sinker for Tom last year, and that was after I'd seen him in Holby City and didn't think too much of him then.
In the paper it said 18/19th September for the start.

Sue1 - I think you do right not cutting of your nose to spite your face. I was disappointed that she's gone, but there's no point in not watching.

Jan (also whispering) - which one is Vincent? Who did he dance with last year?

Jane, Vincent is the lisping Italian and danced with Rachel Stevens last year - they lost the dance off in the Final to the winners Tom and Camilla. I know Vincent is a good dancer but he does less than nothing for me.

Now I've done it - (ducks behind parapet to avoid flying missiles).

Jan,- calm down dear, Vincent doesn't do it for me either. Now if we're talking Ian or Matthew, I'll be right there with you!

Oh him! Yep, good dancer, doesn't do it for me either!

Have to say the first show was underwhelming to say the least.... apart from the pro dancers first routine, that was super! Still no real eye candy , maybe a female winner this year??

It's a good job there are plenty of us who do like Vincent. Loved the first show with or without Arlene.
Can't wait for tonight.
Lets give Aleisha a chance.