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Strictly Come Dancing line-up revealed

Boxer and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Joe Calzaghe
  • Posted at 3:10pm
  • 25 August 2009
  • by WilliamGallagher-RT
  • 6 comments

Sixteen celebrities, including tennis star Martina Hingis and boxer Joe Calzaghe, have been named as the contestants in a new-look Strictly Come Dancing. The Sunday-night results show is gone, the Saturday original is extended - and for the first two weeks there'll also be a Friday-night show with different dances.

As before, the sixteen will be divided into two groups with one dancing in the first week, the other in the second. The Friday show will be ballroom night with the couples dancing either a waltz or a tango, while the Saturday edition will be Latin night with the couples trying a cha-cha-cha or rumba - and facing elimination at the end of the evening.

Plus, the scoring system has been revamped. For the seventh series, new rules mean no dancing couple can ever be safe in the dance-off.

Strictly Come Dancing starts in September with Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly with these famous faces - with their professional partners:

MEN
Joe Calzaghe, boxer, with Kristina Rihanoff
Richard Dunwoody, jockey, with Lilia Kopylova
Ricky Groves, EastEnders actor, with Erin Boag
Chris Hollins, BBC Breakfast sports presenter, with Ola Jordan
Craig Kelly, Coronation Street actor, with Flavia Cacace
Phil Tufnell, ex-cricketer, with Katya Virshilas
Ricky Whittle, Hollyoaks actor, with Natalie Lowe
Rav Wilding, Crimewatch presenter, with Aliona Vilani

WOMEN
Ali Bastian, The Bill actress, with Brian Fortuna
Lynda Bellingham, actress, with Darren Bennett
Natalie Cassidy, EastEnders actress, with Vincent Simone
Martina Hingis, tennis star, with Matthew Cutler
Jade Johnson, Olympic athlete, with Ian Waite
Zoe Lucker, Footballers' Wives actress, with James Jordan
Laila Rouass, Footballers' Wives actress, with Anton Du Beke
Jo Wood, model and businesswoman, with Brendan Cole

What do you make of the new line-up, will you be tuning in? Post a comment and let us know. And don't forget to check out the rest of our great Strictly Come Dancing content.

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Comments

  • Posted on 18 September 2009
  • at 8:55pm
  • by Frank Barnard

This tacky travesty with so-called celebrities is bad enough, but why does the audience have to clap along to every number that's a little faster than a funeral march? For Heaven's sake, if I've got to watch this (& it seems I have) sit on your hands or at least learn to clap off the beat

  • Posted on 25 August 2009
  • at 8:43pm
  • by Jon

Is it just me but half of these people I've never even heard of. Is the BBC scraping the barrel looking for so called celebrities? I enjoy the show, I just wish there were a few more A or even B star celebrities taking part.

I hope Joe Calzaghe wins it.

Bruce Forsythe is a true legend. Arise Sir Bruce.

  • Posted on 25 August 2009
  • at 6:29pm
  • by SiobhanO

I am sold purely on Craig Kelly, whom I love, and his partner Flavia who is my favourite pro. Pleased to see Enders' Natalie and Ricky. Am unsure who this year's Jon Sargeant is likely to be. A toss up between Rav, Tuffers and possibly Ricky. Actually I think Ricky might be this year's Phil Daniels - love him but the first to go.

Was very upset that they've ditched Arlene who I love and considered avoiding it out of protest - esp. as there's so many sports stars, but I am hoping Craig will be a great dancer, and am looking forward to friendly rivalry amongst the girls. I'll be there.

  • Posted on 25 August 2009
  • at 4:52pm
  • by Jos

Slightly bemusing line up - so now hoping for some unlikely suspect dancefloor surprises. Much as I enjoy Alesha's work I am disappointed that ageism has overcome experience in terms of the female members of the judging panel - surely room for both of them, given there are already 3 guys! Bruno of course is always a delight! Bring on the frocks!!

  • Posted on 25 August 2009
  • at 4:12pm
  • by kirstie

it's a really interesting line-up ... the partnership of Zoe Lucker and bad boy James is obviously supposed to be sparky. Some great sportsmen in there, and they're always so committed. Can't wait!

  • Posted on 25 August 2009
  • at 3:40pm
  • by Sinead

the odds have already been released as well. Looks like Calzaghe is the fav at 5/1

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