Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly is back. Whoopee!


I loved Kristina Rihanoff and John Sergeant’s dance – it looked like the bride and her father on the evening of the wedding. Bruno described it as 'endearing'. Even Craig called it ‘warm and honest’. He definitely deserves to survive the first night but how long after that he'll stay in is another matter.


In with a good chance at this early stage looks to be Austin Healey – the Leicester lip; (and I wrote that as I watched the show and before Len said it was the best first dance from a man he had ever seen). Andrew Castle was good as well; as Bruno said, compared to previous GMTV presenters, Fiona and Kate, he is Fred Astaire. I’m sure Camilla’s legs have grown even longer since last year!


We have still to see the girls perform but Rachel Stevens is undoubtedly my favourite at this stage – not necessarily favourite to perform well but simply my favourite. In the group dance Christine and Lisa took my eye while Jodie looks set for an early exit.

For those who missed the first night, these are the contestants for 2008...
Cherie Lunghi & James Jordan
Andrew Castle & Ola Jordan
Christine Bleakley& Matthew Cutler
Austin Healey & Erin Boag
Gillian Taylforth & Anton Du Beke
Don Warrington & Lilia Kopylova
Heather Small & Brian Fortuna
Gary Rhodes & Karen Hardy
Jessie Wallace & Darren Bennett
John Sergeant & Kristina Rihanoff
Jodie Kidd & Ian Waite
Mark Foster & Hayley Holt
Lisa Snowdon & Brendan Cole
Phil Daniels & Flavia Cacace
Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone
Tom Chambers & Camilla Dallerup