Scott Mills's Strictly diary: "I knew exactly how they felt. Fear. Nothing but fear"
Last year the Radio 1 DJ was quaking in his shiny shoes - now he has some advice for 2015's contestants
When I started my Strictly journey last year, I bumped into Susanna Reid who had danced the year before. She told me to enjoy it because when the series after mine started, I'd feel the way she did. And here I am watching Strictly Come Dancing 2015 and I'm feeling...
Yes, a little jealous. Jealous of the spray tans. Jealous of the outfits. Jealous of being part of the biggest show on television. But also I am feeling SO relieved. So relieved. Now I have four months ahead of me to relax, enjoy it and maybe even pull someone up on their footwork or frame!
Watching the celebrities as they walked down the Strictly stairs I knew exactly how they felt. Fear. Nothing but fear. Even the theme tune makes you feel stressed. At that point in the launch show they don't even know who they are going to spend the rest of the year with, let alone what sort of dancer they will be.
Plus, you start worrying what your partner is really thinking when they get told they've been landed with you as a partner. Believe me, as a non-dancer, this played heavily on my mind.
Listening to the cheers as they approached the floor, my early prediction will be that Peter Andre and Daniel O'Donnell are the most popular. They've still got Craig to win over but with the audience being half of the vote, those two look set to be there for a while.
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Anthony is going to be great: quick on his feet, physically fit. I think he's going to have the grace of a ballroom dancer and the energy of a Latin dancer.
I also think Helen George will get to the final. Not only does she look like Elsa from Frozen (a sure way to win over all the young girls watching) she is going to be a pocket rocket. Could this be Aljaz's second win?
So, they have three weeks now until they have to dance to keep their place in the competition. Here's my advice to everyone competing:
Don't eat what the dancers eat. They dance a lot more than you and you will not burn the calories. You'll just burst out of your trousers.
Make friends with Craig Revel Horwood.
Don't sleep on white sheets after a spray tan.
And finally... Enjoy it. Because this time next year, you'll be feeling jealous. Like me.
Dancer Robin Windsor and former Strictly contestants Alex Jones, Russell Grant and Deborah Meaden will be reflecting on their time on the dance floor at Radio Times Festival on Sunday 27th September. We have 20 pairs of tickets to give away. Click here to be in with a chance of winning and you can buy tickets here.
