S Poddar
The excitement is palpable for the new season of Strictly Come Dancing, kicking off tonight, especially with long-time host Tess Daly, who claims she often instinctively knows who will go on to become the eventual winners right from the beginning. The competitive routines aren’t going to start until next week, but already, all eyes are on the Glitter Ball prize.
Co-hosting with Claudia Winkleman, 55-year-old Tess can’t wait to see what this year’s crop of contestants will bring to the dance floor. Speaking about the latest group of hopefuls, she revealed, “The class of ’24 looks like a properly exciting gang. As a collective, I really can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store for us.”
Tess also added that even though it might be possible to get an idea about who is likely to be the star performers right from the outset, she’s actually often surprised how things work out during the run of the show. “Sometimes I feel like perhaps I can spot the winner as early as the launch show as it’s clear to see they have the full package. However, more often than not, I’m surprised along with everybody else. It takes more than just talent to win the audience over.”
For her, it means much more than simply mastering all those complicated dance routines. “Not only have you got to have learned the necessary dance skills to showcase your talent, but you also need to have won our hearts,” explained Tess, who co-hosts the show with Bruce Forsyth, and emphasized the rare cocktail of qualities which sets one contestant apart from all the rest.
While Tess may have a feeling as to who might be this year’s winner, Claudia, 52, is more concerned with the show’s great start every autumn. Unlike Tess, Claudia freely admits she is often completely in the dark when it comes to predicting who might win. “I genuinely have no idea who’s going to win. Tess says the name, and I find out with everybody else. It’s a magic moment,” she said, stressing how unique and thrilling every live show is.
To Claudia, the build-up into the season is one processes on its own, way before the cameras start rolling. “I start getting excited in July. The fake tanning starts in earnest on September 1, and there’s no let up until Christmas.” Despite her years of experience, she admits she still feels nervous each time she hears the theme tune. “I’m absolutely terrified, and I squeeze Tess on the arm, and I love her because she lets me,” Claudia revealed.
This year, the dynamic duo will have a bit more fun during the opening of the show, as they’ll be joining in on the professional dancers’ routine—without dancing, of course. The pre-recorded number showcases the pros embarking on a multicolored bus, driven by returning professional Aljaž Škorjanec, towards Elstree Studios. The sequence even gives a nod to the show’s late host Bruce Forsyth in the form of the license plate reading “BRUCIE.”
In a comedic plot twist, the bus breaks down in the middle of nowhere, and the professionals find themselves getting assistance from a garage that is owned by Strictly musical director Dave Arch. Appropriately named “Dave’s Repairs”, the garage has Tess and Claudia as his assistants – Tess mans the phone and Claudia, hair tied up, slides under the cars to lend a hand.
Although they ditch the glamorous gowns for the segment in favour of red overalls, complete with name badges, it won’t be long before Tess and Claudia are back in their dazzling outfits for the rest of the show. The viewers will be treated to their sparkling personalities lighting up their screen, as they have done for many years.
This season the panel remains the same: Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Shirley Ballas all return. Viewers have already caught a glimpse of him with a fresh new look as he has grown a beard for the new season.
As for the contestants, they include a mix of familiar faces from comedians to athletes ready to put their best foot forward. Among the celebrities taking part this year are comic Chris McCausland, tenor Wynne Evans, presenter Nick Knowles, JLS star JB Gill, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, footballer Paul Merson, TOWIE’s Pete Wicks, swimmer Tom Dean and X Factor winner Shayne Ward.
On the ladies’ side, singer Toyah Willcox, Gladiators star Montell Douglas, Love Island‘s Tasha Ghouri, hockey player Sam Quek, television doctor Punam Krishan and Miranda actor Sarah Hadland are partaking in the competition each partnering with professional male dancers.
Tonight is their first group performance, which is choreographed to the upbeat tune Dance Yourself Dizzy by Liquid Gold. Their highly anticipated competitive dances, however, will not begin until next Saturday’s live show, where, for them, the journey of winning the coveted Glitter Ball truly begins.
So, with Tess’s instincts for the early frontrunners and Claudia’s irrepressible energy, take a deep breath and expect surprises, heartbreak, and memorable dance routines galore this series. Whether those predictions will come to pass is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure-the new series of Strictly is ready to bedazzle its way into living rooms up and down the country.
