SCD Series 21 Discussion Thread

[Ariel1989]

Thought I’d might as well start the new series thread since they’ve just revealed the hosts, judges and pros!

 

 

Hosts

Tess Daly

Claudia Winkleman

 

Judges

Craig Revel Horwood

Motsi Mabuse

Shirley Ballas

Anton du Beke

 

Pros

Dianne Buswell

Nadiya Bychkova

Vito Coppola

Graziano Di Prima

Amy Dowden

Carlos Gu

Karen Hauer

Katya Jones

Neil Jones

Nikita Kuzmin

Gorka Márquez

Luba Mushtuk

Lauren Oakley

Giovanni Pernice

Jowita Przystał

Johannes Radebe

Michelle Tsiakkas

Kai Widdrington

Nancy Xu

 

 

The only pro not returning is Cameron Lombard.  
 

Thoughts

Even though he didn’t seem to fit with the other pros, I do feel for Cameron; two years on the bench and not even a Christmas or Children in Need Special like fellow two year bencher Chloe.  

Overall though, pretty happy with the lineup.  Loved the three newbie pros, Jowita, Carlos and Vito (he really grew on me by mid series), last year and how they all made the Final.  Manifesting good partners for Kai and Nadiya this year after going so early last year; also for Graziano, yes, he made the Quarterfinal and Kym was very good but he’s shown so much growth  since his first series that I think he deserves another contender (side note: I was a bit worried that he’d jump ship to join wife Giada on the horrible Italian version, so glad he’s still on a good version).  Also would enjoy seeing same-sex pairings for Katya and Nikita, they seem like they’d do well with them; I can also see Amy, Dianne and Kai (he did one for Switch-Up week in Ireland) doing pretty well in one too.  
 

Not the biggest fan of Neil as a pro partner but I don’t think he’s getting a partner this year anyway because his and his fiancée’s baby is likely due during the series run and he probably needs time that he spends training with a partner for his fiancée instead.  I think Luba is benched too unless they decide to swap her and Nadiya again; there’s also no way they’ll bench long-running/successful pros like Amy, Dianne, Jowita, Karen, Katya or even two-semifinals-in-a-row Nancy for Luba.  If there’s room, I can see Lauren getting a partner or maybe Michelle if a celeb fits more with her than Lauren.  

 

I’m guessing there will be a new male pro to replace Cameron and make even the number of pros.  My first choice would be Pasquale La Rocca but they seem to be hiring on the younger side now (hopefully he comes back to Ireland instead of staying with Italy’s inferior version).  I’m interested in seeing if they get a pro from another version (like Dianne from Australia, Johannes from South Africa, Kai from Ireland, Nadiya from Slovenia, Nikita from Germany or Vito from Italy) or a newbie straight from the competition circuit (like Carlos).  

[*Wallace]

Oh wow I wasn't expecting this thread to come so soon.  

 

But always excited for Strictly news! Aww I'm sad about Cameron not returning.  He's never got a proper chance as a pro getting to dance with a celebrity. I remember really wanting him with Molly last year, but then Molly/Carlos turned out to be really great. But still, wish he could have been with a young contender. Oh wow, and he also never had a partner in any of the specials either - that's even worse.

 

I would love to see what Lauren and/or Michelle can do with a celebrity. Kinda hoping they can get celebs though it's probably unlikely for them both.

 

Oooh and I love how Karen is still going strong as a pro here. I always expect her to leave but glad that's not the case. But I'm wondering how long she can/will go on.  

[Ariel1989]

Amy has been diagnosed with breast cancer

 

Heartbreaking news, hope she has a speedy recovery.  
 

It does seem like she’s out for this series since Strictly has confirmed they aren’t hiring a new pro this year; I’m guessing they were planning on replacing Cameron to even out the number of dancers but with Amy’s unfortunate news, they’ll probably just keep it at 18 dancers out of respect for Amy.  

[*Wallace]

Aww such sad and devastating news for Amy.  Wishing her all the best and a speedy recovery.