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No7: Peter Andre. 42, I think. Had a bit of a pop career 10 years ago and then turned his hand to reality TV and generally living his life in the media, with bits of presenting thrown in. I think at heart he's a nice guy, but he is pure cheese - very orange cheese! Has a recent marriage to gush about and a new album to promote. Set the gain on your cringe-ometer to high....

Hah! Even Len seems likely to be back, if on a part-time basis.... Oh, well. Both irritate me at times, but when I was thinking of the show without them, I realised they anchor things for me (along with Tom).

No 6: Carol Kirkwood, BBC Weather presenter, 53, tall (-ish).

I think the odds of a Sharon and Tristan pairing are pretty high, sadly. There's another lady hotly tipped who presents the weather on the BBC who I could see with T. She's 53 and I can't see her being a great dancer, but she is really popular (with her embonpoint attracting a lot of online male attention!). She's very giggly and fun. Anyway, she may not be doing it of course, but other rumors include Jamelia (in her 30s, quite possibly a good dancer) and Kirsty Gallacher who is 39 and in good shape. If Sharon's in she would be a good, camp fit for Anton, so T would still have a chance for someone decent. Quite possibly none of these ladies will be in! Yes, James would be foaming at the mouth if they do have a same sex couple. My only reservation about it being Gok (if he's even in) would be that he might not be the most empathetic candidate to ease the GBP into a new challenge. There are other gay celebs out there who could count on more support, but we'll see.

Three women announced so far, with five to go (assuming each of the announced pros gets a partner). The Telegraph have reported an actress called Helen George has signed, but nothing official yet (blond, slim, in her twenties, completed the London marathon earlier in the year, so no slacker...). They also claim Sharon Osborne is in, but that seems less likely to me. On the male side, the BBC site briefly had Peter Andre up as their 6th reveal but took it down. Either something went wrong with the deal or someone pressed the button prematurely! (Next official reveal on tomorrow's Breakfast News - home to three other heavily touted possibles). Peter is very well known but not for entirely good reasons, so he would be a divisive signing, but probably generate a lot of press. Another strongly tipped is Gok Wan, stylist and TV presenter. He has spoken previously about wanting to be on the show, but said he would want to dance with a male partner. I can't see them going for it, but you never know.

I'm not sure where it originated but Kristyn Burt Tweeted about it and PureDWTS were discussing it. It may just be chatter, but I also recollect Bruno saying what Serendi posted above, so think it's at least a possibility.

So do we think the gossip that Bruno is also leaving is untrue?

Possibly two new judges then?

No 5: Katie Derham. Previously a newscaster on ITV, these days presents classical music shows on TV and radio for the BBC. Slim, attractive, 45

Mmmm. I do love biscotti! Poor Marie had a shocker of a week both on and off the show, but I think Mary summed it up for me - if you play safe with the classics, they better be perfection. I'm another one loving Nadiya's expressive face and I like her sense of humor, too. She's one of my favorites (along with Tamal, Ian, Matt and Ugne), though I like them all. I cringed when she took her biscuit-basket off the bowl and put it back in the oven. It was only ever going to end one way! And then Sue mucked up the lid. Good on her for not having a meltdown! Alvin hasn't made much impact for me, though my heart went out to him when he had to present his deconstructed box! Flora seems to be a very competent young woman. I like her, so hope the public don't take against her for being a bit posh ('we have an Aga at home...', 'When I travelled in Italy....', 'I have over a hundred cookery books, many of them French..'). Sandy's savory box and bickies looked divine.

No 4: Georgia May Foote Soap actress, 24, pretty, 5'1 or thereabouts. Apparently she has left the soap she was in so presumably won't be working at the same time as SCD.

Celebrity number 3 is soap actress Kellie Bright. I don't know much about her but understand she's 39 and fairly short. She went to stage school so will definitely have done a bit of song and dance. I wonder if she was any good at it...

I've always found Ainsley rather irritating, but I put that down to his TV persona. Watching him just now talking about being on Strictly he was much more likeable. So long as he drops his cheeky chappie shtick for the duration, I think he might be okay. Seems to have a good attitude and I reckon he may have some moves. I'm pretty certain he'll have zero inhibition. Remains to be seen if that's a good thing....;-) He's pretty tall (6'3?). Natalie seems like an obvious fit. Edit: ah, but now I see Jeremy is also 6'3

A few pics of the pros taking a break from rehearsals. Ola looks so happy to be back

I'm shocked Ola is back and Iveta out. James has slagged off the show and the BBC so much, I think he's well and truly burnt his bridges. I had thought Ola's playing truant from Strictly to train for another show would have finished her off too, but clearly not! She seemed so unhappy last time, I'm surprised she wanted to come back.. Anton and Brendan seem to be with us forever. They each have there own tours, so I can understand why Strictly is good for them, but cannot for the life of me see how these two survive when the likes of Iveta get the chop. Brendan was fed up and disengaged last time and Anton...pfft! (Actually, I did enjoy Judy - so him by default a little - last year). It's a little sad Robin didn't warrant a mention in the press release, but I don't mind that he's gone. Nice chap, but didn't really rate his choreography. I would have been happy to see Trent again, but he, allegedly, said he would only do it if his wife was given a pro role, too. She wasn't. I only know Gleb of the new dancers. It seems, from their respective twitters that Giovanni is a good friend of Joanne, so the Clifton franchise expands.... Otile looks lovely. She's just been on the German version and in the clips I've seen looks fun and giggly. She and Keo were (professional) partners for a time, too.

The pro dancers for the forthcoming season have been announced - 16 of them in all!! Tristan returns and Gleb Savchenko will join the cast alongside 2 other new dancers. The line-up in full Aljaž Škorjanec Anton Du Beke Brendan Cole Giovanni Pernice Gleb Savchenko Kevin Clifton Pasha Kovalev Tristan MacManus Aliona Vilani Janette Manrara Joanne Clifton Karen Hauer Kristina Rihanoff Natalie Lowe Ola Jordan Otlile Mabuse http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/095f42d3-26c5-4f36-86e8-1a238a969ac5

I didn't expect to like this Strictly spin off and only started watching in an idle moment but was completely gripped. Given the 'cheap and cheerful' approach to some of the shows they make for Comic Relief and Children in Need, I was expecting something thrown together and a bit rubbish, but they really pushed the boat out for these people - and deservedly so. I was super impressed with the fantastic level of performance from all the contestants and the technical ability from most of them, too. A truly heart warming show. My personal favorites on the night were Phil's campy American Smooth and Anna's brilliant Charleston, but I felt sure it would go to Cassidy and was really happy for him (and I thought the lovely Natalie might explode with joy!). Hopefully it will become an annual event. (Agree about Tess and Claude needing a new catchphrase, but do hope you're wrong about Anton)

Rachel ought really to have won her series, but she came across a bit devoid of personality and didn't connect with enough viewers, but she was the best dancer.

Yay! Rachel's Argentine Tango with Vinthent is one of my all time favorite dances. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR3rlBjNK70

Newspaper reports say: It must have been so traumatic for them all. I wish the little girl a full recovery.

He has three hours every afternoon on the country's most popular 'young' radio station in which to tout for votes (and has the most downloaded daily podcast on the BBC), so he's definitely popular, but his listeners are young and surely have better things to do than watch telly live on a Saturday evening to catch the voting window (which is very short). I'm mystified. I know Judy is rubbish too, but I see small improvements and genuine pleasure from her, whereas Scott is terrified and plain awful. For Joanne's safety (those lifts!!) - and my sanity - he needs to go. (I wouldn't mind losing Alison first, though).

Nice interview with Tristan

Jake has tweeted James (after he accused him of being a ringer) to 'clarify' that he's never had a dance lesson in his life, so I think he just has natural ability. It was great to see Janette in her element with that routine. Ifeel she'll really win friends this year after not making a great impression last time. (It would have been a tough job for anyone with her partner, so I'm glad she got a second chance). btw, James replied:

I feel nervous for Lea and Artem, given the elimination is based on last week. I thought there was a lot of good in her cha cha but it wasn't a standout dance for them and I fear they may just get lost in the mix. Neither can rely on a ready made fan base. I'm not sure how much contemporary Artem has done, but he has quite a lyrical, balletic style himself, so I guess this would be a natural route for them both.

It's funny seeing him in this different environment. I think DwtS is a more excitable, OTT show in general. Len and Bruno have their Strictly personas and then exaggerated versions of themselves for DwtS (especially Bruno!!). I'm still adjusting to 'excitable' Artem....I quite like him grumpy! This is the item on Strictly: It Takes Two when they first characterized him as The Terminator (towards the end of the clip). ETA - I thought the 'No, you need to get this' comment was funny, too, but some folk love to find reasons to be offended....