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Hi everyone the ticket lottery for Strictly Come Dancing tickets is open so go to bbc.co.uk/tickets and just follow the links!

I’ve just applied for some so fingers crossed this year I could get lucky.

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From week three the series will move to Saturday nights only where viewers can get their Strictly fix in a bumper show with the dances, voting and the results in one episode.

Back to give their opinions on the couples’ performances are judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli.

This year they are joined by two new faces in the form of singing sensation and former Strictly Champion Alesha Dixon and world-renowned ballet dancer Darcey Bussell, who will appear as a guest judge in the last three shows of the series.

A change to the scoring system, and how points are awarded in the event of a tie in judges’ scores, means that should there be a tie any one couple can be saved from the dance-off, and no one couple is safe.

Legendary host Bruce Forsyth says: “It’s an exciting line-up. Here we go again, I do hope you’ve all missed us!”

While queen of the posh frocks Tess Daly says: “The line-up for this series is possibly our strongest yet and I can’t wait to see all our couples together on the dance floor. Bring on the battle of the ballroom!”

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The Girls

Jo Wood partnered with Brendan Cole

Ali Bastian partnered with Brian Fortuna

Jade Johnson partnered with Ian Waite

Lynda Bellingham partnered with Darren Bennett

Laila Rouass partnered with Anton Du Beke

Zoe Lucker partnered with James Jordan

Martina Hinges partnered with Matthew Cutler

Natalie Cassidy partnered with Vincent Simone

The Boys

Richard Dunwoody partnered with Lilia Kopylova

Chris Hollins partnered with Ola Jordan

Joe Calzaghe partnered with Kristina Rhianoff

Ricky Groves partnered with Erin Boag

Craig Kelly partnered with Flavia Cacace

Phil Tufnell partnered with Katya Virshilas

Ricky Whittle partnered with Natalie Lowe

Rav Wilding partnered with Aliona Vilani

Changes to format for 2009

There is a change to voting well which means that no couple is safe and ANY couple can be saved!

In the first two weeks the shows will be on a Friday and Saturday

For the first two weeks the 16 couples will be split into two groups; but not by gender.

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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.

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Read the rest of Strictly Come Dancing 2009 line-up rumours (339 words)

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The Bill and Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian has been lined up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, say reports.

According to The Mirror, the soap actress, 26, will be one of the youngest female contestants this year.

“She will be dazzling in sequins,” said a source.

Bastian played Becca Dean in Hollyoaks between 2001 and 2007. She joined ITV1’s The Bill in 2007 as PC Sally Armstrong.

Other celebrities rumoured to be taking part in the BBC One ballroom contest this year include Lynda Bellingham, Fern Britton, EastEnders actor Ricky Groves, actress Zoe Lucker, boxer Joe Calzaghe, former Olympic sprinter Linford Christie and Ronnie Wood’s ex-wife Jo.

Coronation Street star Reece Dinsdale ruled himself out of appearing on the reality series yesterday.

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Sprinter Linford Christie won Olympic gold with his quick-steps but it could soon be his foxtrot making headlines.

The 49-year-old ex-athlete is the latest name in talks to sign for hit BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing.

A BBC source said: “Sportsmen have always excelled at Strictly with Mark Ramprakash and Darren Gough both winning the show.

“Matt Dawson and Denise Lewis were runners-up, so we expect Linford to be a contender too. You never lose that competitive streak so if he gets on that dance floor he will want to do well.

“Producers reckon Linford will prove to be quite a talent and a big hit on the ballroom floor.”

Olympic 100 metre champ Linford may also be joined in the ballroom contest by actress Ali Bastian, who stars as PC Sally Armstrong on ITVs The Bill. The source added: “In terms of the females, Ali will be one of the younger contestants if she takes part and she will be dazzling in sequins.”

(...)
Read the rest of Linford Christie in talks to join Strictly Come Dancing 2009 (113 words)

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OMG I hope I get tickets this year…please Strictly Gods!!

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