Strictly Come Dancing 2009 line-up rumours

Source: stv

The BBC has confirmed that 16 celebrity couples will take to the dance floor over 14 weeks for the new series.

It has been officially announced that 16 celebrity couples will take to the dance floor over 14 weeks for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.  There will be just one show per week – a bumper 90-minute Saturday night show instead of the additional Sunday night dance-off of previous years.

The new series will see former Strictly winner Alesha Dixon replace Arlene Phillips on the judging panel, with Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli returning to share their praise and criticism.  Ballerina Darcey Bussell is also confirmed to join the judges toward the end of the series. And hanging up their dancing shoes will be pro-dancers Karen Hardy, Hayley Holt and last year’s winner Camilla Dallerup.

What is still to be revealed is the full line-up of celebrities.  Rumours abound and, if the papers are to be believed, here is a good idea of who we may be spotting in sequins this autumn.

Former This Morning presenter Fern Britton is the most recent name to be mooted.  Fern quit the ITV daytime show earlier in the summer, but put in a fine performance of Singin’ in the Rain on the BBC’s Let’s Dance for Comic Relief.  Reports state that Fern has been offered Brendan Cole as a partner – now, is that a bribe or a threat?

Boxer Joe Calzaghe has been mentioned as a possible contestant for a while now.  He retired from the ring in spring this year and has since appeared on a number of TV shows, including STV’s Beat the Star, where he competed against Strictly presenter Tess Daly’s husband, Vernon Kay.

EastEnders stars usually feature heavily in the Strictly line-up and, if the rumours are to be believed, this year should be no exception.  Ricky Groves, who plays Garry Hobbs in the BBC soap, is understood to have signed up.  Natalie Cassidy, who played Sonia Fowler, has also had her name connected to the show.  Kara Tointon, who played Groves’ love interest Dawn Swann, has been mentioned, but has denied that she will be participating.  If she does take part, she will have benefited from having competed in 2008’s Sport Relief does Strictly Come Dancing, which she won with partner Mark Ramprakash.

Representing other soaps, there has been speculation that Hollyoaks hunk Ricky Whittle who plays Calvin will be donning his dancing shoes, as well as Corrie’s Joe, aka Reece Dinsdale.

Two Footballers’ Wives actresses, Zoe Lucker and Laila Rouass (love rivals Tanya Turner and Amber Gates in the show) wouldn’t have a problem adjusting to the glamour of the show.  Both actresses are rumoured to be participating.

With accusations of ageism hitting the show following the axing of Arlene Phillips, the names of two ‘more mature’ ladies have been suggested.  53-year-old Jo Wood, the former wife of Rolling Stone Ronnie, and ‘OXO mum’ and Loose Women panellist Lynda Bellingham, 61, have both been reported to have been in talks to dance this year.

Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding’s name has also been thrown into the mix.  The former policeman is used to walking the beat, but how could that translate to waltzing across the dancefloor?

Adrian Chiles’ One Show partner in crime Christine Bleakely made it to the final five in last year’s contest.  He has laughed off rumours that he may be taking part this series.

TV host Richard Madeley and former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne have both announced that they won’t be appearing, despite strong rumours to the contrary.  Could they be double-bluffing?

The new series kicks off next month on Saturday nights on BBC One, so there can’t be long to wait until the official announcement.

Filed under: 2009 by Alex
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