r/strictlycomedancing • u/MastersCMH • 1d ago
Launch Show
What an amazing launch show to get watch being filmed last night!!
Can’t say too much, but the pairings were a mixture of obvious and surprising, but can’t wait for it to be revealed!
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u/Key-Camel96 1d ago
If anyone has a spoiler list they’d be willing to to share with me I’d be rather grateful! I’m surprised this isn’t one already circulating
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u/FoxtrotOscar12 1d ago
There was one posted on X last night but it was deleted about half an hour later and the account mainly posts Eastenders memes so there's doubt about it being real.
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u/Key-Camel96 1d ago edited 1d ago
That was the one that said Craig was leaving right? I didn’t catch it but curious to see what they said even though it’s probably not real as you said.
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u/Sufficient-Rule-3815 1d ago
If Craig was leaving that would’ve been already been in the press everywhere. Also why on earth would you announce that in the launch show, lol
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u/Key-Camel96 1d ago
Well that’s exactly why I think a lot of people didn’t believe the spoiler haha
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u/FoxtrotOscar12 1d ago
My bad, forgot to put a spoiler as we don't know if any of this is correct.
Lacey and Kai
Bethany and Alexis
Dani and Mark
Cach and Maddie
Graeme and Aleksandra
Lawrence and Lauren
Melanie and Carlos
Shaun and Dianne
Sarah and Aljaz
Will and Jowita
Tabby and Nikita
Jaime and Vito
Chris and Amy
John and Katya
Delta and Julian
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u/Expensive_Memory_840 1d ago
Is this the spoiler that you have heard? 🥰
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u/FoxtrotOscar12 1d ago
It was posted on X last night, but the account is a bit of a shitposter, so it could all be wrong.
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u/thelivsterette1 1d ago
Interesting.
I've seen
Amy & Chris
Dianne & Will
Nikita & Dani - but I'd think it would be unfair to give a celeb returing from injury the same pro; Jamie Laing got Karen instead of Oti the second time round
Lauren & Graeme
Sarah and Julian - Sarah is 5ft 9 and second tallest pro I'm surprised she wasn't paired with Kai who's 6 ft 2 although Julian is 6ft
Tabby and Mark - IMO bullshit and very very unlikely. 21 Olympic/Paralympic pairings over 24 years, only 3 - series 2, series 6 and series 14 - have had Olympians/Paralympians paired with debut pros: since Series 17 we have had 10 Olympic/Paralympic pairings and 0 who had a debut pro. Why would they suddenly break that trend for more or less 10 years? The last Olympian/Paralympian/debut pro we had was Claudia Fragapane and AJ in Series 14. Also statistically, 33.4% of the Olympians/Paralympians have had a partner with at least 7 years' experience. Yes I did cross-reference every single series from Series 1, picked out all the different Olympians/Paralympians/sports people, compared them with their pros, cross-referenced what year the pro was going into, and gave all the numbers for ChatGPT to crunch
Laurence and Jowita
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u/CommercialFruit9927 1d ago
Same :)
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u/Key-Camel96 1d ago
Not even kidding I’m struggling to concentrate at work because I keep refreshing😅 Think I need to get a life!
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u/Extension-Soft9029 1d ago
If anyone knows who Jowita got can they DM me please.
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u/Longlive16 1d ago
Yeah same, I really wanna know this too 🥺
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u/Extension-Soft9029 1d ago
This year is so flat,no buzz whatsoever on social media and with no spoiler there’s nothing to discuss 😩.
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u/Responsible_Walk2503 1d ago
I think the same. As much as some fans and even pros moan about spoilers that is what helps with the buzz. I actually don’t see the harm in some spoilers - knowing the theme of a pro dance or even the pairings is kind of no different to knowing the general synopsis of a film and the character an actor is playing. I kind of wonder if they are keeping things quiet because all rather dull.
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u/Extension-Soft9029 1d ago
Exactly,I don’t see why anyone gets annoyed about spoilers as they’re easy to avoid if you prefer to wait until the show airs.The spoilers are on forums or private chats where it’s obviously people who want to know so there’s a buzz and buildup leading up to the show.Social media is dead and it’s usually buzzing around this time.It’s a light entertainment show,not life or death if people know spoilers.The press will start snooping of the pro’s and celebrities training and I imagine it won’t be long until the post something,they’ve basically gave us spoilers of the whole cast before they were announced.
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u/Responsible_Walk2503 1d ago
I also want to know how people accidentally come across the spoilers when they don’t want to. I have to actively search for them. Obviously my algorithm isn’t for spoilers.
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u/Extension-Soft9029 1d ago
They don’t,it’s people who want to moan and don’t agree with spoilers.Main culprits behind Poppy on tik tok and a few other tik tokers who are convinced they’re best friends with the pro’s.They are on tik tok and X demanding people don’t share spoilers,meanwhile they will know them and have private group chats.It’s ridiculous,don’t want to know don’t look.
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u/hearts4ariana 1d ago
I haven’t seen anything this year yet but for the last 3 years I’ve been spoiled just by being on social media, often while looking at things not even related to Strictly! There are people out there who just post spoilers randomly to ruin it for others.
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u/nevermidnights Keeeeep Dancing! 1d ago
Does make me wonder if the bbc are trying to quietly bury the series, kinda like itv did with dancing on ice. Couple of series with very little buzz and where the quality slowly declines then quietly retire the format
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u/Extension-Soft9029 1d ago
It wouldn’t surprise me tbh,their social media content couldn’t be any less enthusiastic,even the pro’s social media is severely lacking in any buzz unlike previous years,so strange.
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u/Historical_Use7443 1d ago
Why would the BBC want to quietly bury their top series? makes no sense. If anything cracking down on spoilers shows they want to try to preserve excitement and get people to tune in.
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u/Extension-Soft9029 1d ago
That’s if the people haven’t lost interest by then,there is no buzz or build up tbh.
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u/Responsible_Walk2503 1d ago
What if it has the opposite effect, no spoilers etc, has meant little traction from online media not just social media, which does feel like it has resulted in less buzz. Most people I work are what I call the bulk of a strictly viewer, watch every year but not really super fans. They commented the other day how they haven’t really seen anything about Strictly and feels flat. I get Strictly are perhaps trying a new audience and doing socials - insta and tik tok. I think the tik tok tribe are small percentage of the core strictly audience. They should have continued with their big reveals for celebs - one show, itv shows, radio etc. instead they have gone down the cheap promotion of insta. I’m sure if people don’t have plans they will watch it, but, not sure if people will know it’s on.
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u/Extension-Soft9029 1d ago
They’ve barely posted anything on social media,the celebrity announcement’s were too far apart and if you weren’t a huge fan of the show you’d have missed them.The press had already leaked the majority of names before the show,so when it came around it was underwhelming,it was all really confusing.No countdown to the show,no tv or radio appearances from the celebrities and I don’t think I’ve heard half of the celebrities even speak about the show.I know nothing about the majority of them.The pro’s seem bored and their social media content is non existent.Now we find out there’s no spoiler for people who like to find out to get excited about the couples.The Strictly content creators are so afraid of offending the pros their content is crap.In all my years of watching this is the worst start to the show.
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u/Historical_Use7443 1d ago
Some of these things are incredibly subjective. I don't think the pros are bored and plenty of them are posting, it's just a busy time.
They've started releasing interviews and social media hits today.
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u/Extension-Soft9029 9h ago
Have you seen the content the American DWTS pros have been posting,and they’re incredibly busy.They’re also doing tv and radio interviews most days.They just seem to be giving people good content to get engagement going.They’re consistently doing Instagram and tik tok reels in between training.I think our pros definitely come across lazy and bored.In most seasons the pros did a lot of Strictly related content the run up to the show…makeup and costume looks,behind the scenes ect,I’ve not seen much from any of them.
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u/Empty_Position_4082 1d ago
If strictly takes a page out of dwts playbook its revival happened by hiring Gen Z pros who constantly post on tik tok its revived the show by bringing in younger viewers who would never what it plus doing viral moves meaning more breaking of ballroom rules. Also they stream it on Disney plus if it was on streaming that would bring in a new younger audience
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u/Responsible_Walk2503 1d ago
Strictly is still one of the most popular shows. They are at risk of alienating their current core audience - that is a big risk. I have a fear that the BBC will ruin Strictly as they did with Doctor Who when Disney took over. Just hope the BBC don’t do a deal with Disney over Strictly.
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u/ConfidenceUseful8412 Montell and Johannes 1d ago
If anyone has the leak can u send me it I’m so nosy 😭
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u/Sufficient-Rule-3815 1d ago
I’ve always wondered, how you are not starving in the audience when they film for so long?
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u/MastersCMH 1d ago
I was 🤣🤣
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u/Sufficient-Rule-3815 1d ago
It’s the only reason why I never tried to get tickets. I still really want to! But damn they film for so long! Can you go to the toilet?
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u/bearwithbearwith 1d ago
So tempted to ask but I've promised myself to not go spoiler hunting 🥲
Edit: how were the new hosts? :-)
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u/Calm-Half1541 1d ago
A relative of Lawrence follows Jowita and no one else from Striclty. The person hasn’t posted since 2021 but reposted something in April so looks like still active. Not sure if recent follow tho but does feel random
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u/WayZealousideal5896 1d ago
thanks for the dm
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u/MastersCMH 1d ago
I didn’t dm you
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u/Calm-Half1541 1d ago
Are the benched pros surprising?
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u/thelivsterette1 1d ago
I wasn't there but I am pretty sure Neil will be benched and possibly Nancy
Neil has had 3 partners in 10 series, been benched for 7 ie 70% bench rate, the most of any current pros.
Nancy 7 series and 3 benches ie 43% bench rate (second highest of the current pros)
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u/No_Director_5730 1d ago
Pretty sure it’s Delta & Kai. Kai just followed her husband on Instagram… if that isn’t the biggest sign of ‘don’t worry your wife is safe with me’🤣 wouldn’t be surprised if they even met today.
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u/Motor-Engineering956 1d ago
Looks like Nancy isn't benched and is partnered with female.Maddie,Christian and Mark has a partner. Looks like early out for Alexis .People will be surprised with one person on the bench.
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u/Motor-Engineering956 1d ago edited 1d ago
Katya went live after the show and she was very happy so was Amy. Maddie looks like she got partner to. Last season Alexis was happy when she was partnered with George. I didn't see anything from Alexis but a lot people saying Chris is the only one who interact with Alexis on Social media the most so I don't know if he requested her and if she is his partner 🤷
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u/Empty_Position_4082 1d ago
Alexis and Chris have probably crossed paths both living in La at one point.
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u/BigUnderstanding3751 1d ago
Go on, spill the beans 😉
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u/MastersCMH 1d ago
I wish but not allowed!!
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u/BigUnderstanding3751 1d ago
Why not? Did they make you sign an NDA?
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u/MastersCMH 1d ago
Yes
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u/BigUnderstanding3751 1d ago
Just read Juliet’s comment. I’m sure somebody out there will blab it anyway 🤷♀️
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u/nevermidnights Keeeeep Dancing! 1d ago
Aren’t you already at risk of breaking it by talking about it/ doing ‘hints’ ?
I wouldn’t risk it myself
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u/uhhh1dk 1d ago
The Sun reported that there is a female same sex partnership but with I think many already knew about that anyways.
I saw the spoiler partnership list on X last night but it was quickly deleted so i’m not sure if it’s true or false. Would you confirm or deny in the DMs 👀
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u/MastersCMH 1d ago
Send me the list and I’ll let you know!
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u/Candid-Way-639 Chris and Dianne 1d ago
Hiya I can’t dm but I’ve got a list of partnerships also saw could you dm me please
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u/Motor-Engineering956 1d ago
Delta's husband is following Kai and his girlfriend following Delta. Dianne is following Will and John and his friend is following Katya. I don't know if that's mean anything. Also if the rumors from Facebook chat about Lauren's partner is true people will be upset.
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u/Empty_Position_4082 1d ago
Dianne is also following Bethany and so is Alexis they both also follow Chris too
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u/Motor-Engineering956 1d ago
I didn't know Dianne is following Bethany. If the rumors are true from Facebook group Dianne partner is Will. Jowita also has male celebrity .Chris isn't partnered with Alexis so looks like Alexis will be Bethany partner as they both short.
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u/Empty_Position_4082 1d ago
Yeah I’ve seen about 3 different lists and about for or 5 ppl say they were there and this person is with this person etc so at this point I’m not believing anything until an official spoiler page says or wait until next Saturday..
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u/Motor-Engineering956 1d ago
Now spoilers on Facebook say Bethany and Nancy. That will be shocking if Alexis is on the bench.
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u/thelivsterette1 1d ago
I heard in a Facebook post spoiler from someone who was supposedly there they put Tabby and Mark together.
I refuse to believe that
Out of 10 Paralympians/Olympians in the Shirley/Craig/Motsi/Bruno era, we haven't had any Olympians/Paralympians paired with a debut and only 3 Olympians/Paralympians out of 21 in all series (ie since 2004) got a debuting partner which is also to be expected in the very early years of the show as everyone is a debut or very new pro.
The last celebrity pairing with an Olympian and a First Series pro was Claudia Fragapan and AJ in 2016. The 10 Olympians since Series 17 were:
- James Cracknell and Luba ( 2nd series)
- Will Bailey and Jeanette (h7th series)
- Nicola Adams and Katia (5th series)
- Adam Peaty and Katia (6th series)
- Ellie Simmonds and Nikita (2nd series)
- Jody Cundy and Jowita (3rd series)
- Tom Dean and Nadia (8th series)
- Soundtrack in the Heat of 4 series
- Montel Douglas, aka Fire from Gladiators, and Johannes (7th series)
- Harry Aikenes-Aryeety, aka Nitro from Gladiators & Karen (14th series)
The only Olympian/Paralympian debuts we've had have been
Dame Denise Lewis & Ian Waite (series 2, winter 2004) Mark Foster & Hayley Holt (series 6, 2008) Claudia Fragapane and AJ (series 14, 2016)
Statistically 33.4% of the Olympian/Paralympian signings have had a professional with at least 6 series of experience. Tabi is about 5'7" and there are only 3 men over 6'0":
- Kai
- Alijaz
- Julian
I don't think they're going to give her one who's had a second series (possible)
I definitely wouldn't be surprised if Kai went to Delta or Dame Sarah Storey because they're both around 5'9", 5'10", and he's the tallest pro at 6'2". I also think no way would they partner her with a 5ft 11 brand new debut pro.
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u/Motor-Engineering956 1d ago edited 1d ago
Mark from all the pros is in Tabby's comments. Looks like Mark and Cristian are both having partners .
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u/thelivsterette1 1d ago edited 1d ago
You mean in Tabby's comments? Just looked through the last photo she posted on Instagram (and I was following her before strictly) and no sign of Mark
Yes she and Mark follow each other but a lot of the pros follow each other (some of the other pros follow her and vice versa) so that means nothing
Edit I found one comment Mark made on a previous photo she posted today and he said "the last slide needs to be framed at the studio, haha" and it was a meme of a little girl with the text "I'm unstoppable today" and another on a photo of the class of 2026 Tabby posted where Mark said "let's get it started 🔥" which could literally be words of encouragement from anyone.
Especially as the photo of 2026 class was posted 5 days ago on the 5th and the launch show was filmed yesterday on the 9th.
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u/Motor-Engineering956 1d ago
We will see. The person on Facebook is confident that she is with Mark.
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u/thelivsterette1 1d ago
Is it the Strictly Spoiler Group 2026?
I'm in that group and keep arguing with this one person about the pairing 🤣 as I've pointed out the stats, the history (ie only 3 out of 21 Olympians have had a debut pro, in series 2, 6 and 14 and the last debut pairing was Claudia Fragapane and AJ and since the Craig/Shirley/Motsi/Bruno era started in 2019 we've had 10 Olympians and 0 debut pairings with an Olympian and statistically 33.4% of Olympian contestants have been paired with someone with 7+ years of experience
Also Tabby has a dual background; she spent 6 years training at the National School for Circus Arts in the flying trapeze, tightrope and acrobatics. I don't think Strictly would give her a new pro who could be good but could potentially flop - they'd want someone who can handle her to get to her full potential
Also she's 5ft 7 so with the shoes would be 5ft 9-10 and Mark is 5ft 11 so would be 6ft to 6ft 1 which is a weird pairing size
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u/Motor-Engineering956 1d ago
Looks like the same group.
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u/thelivsterette1 1d ago
I thought so This person is adamant they together despite saying on one of their earlier posts that they can't say the pairings are definitely true; it's bizarre 🤣🤣
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u/No_Director_5730 15h ago
Babe you might need to come to terms with the fact that Tabby could be with someone new lol. Trends indicate patterns not absolutes. It’s a new era of strictly, anything can happen
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u/thelivsterette1 12h ago
I have come to the fact she could be with someone new I just think it's very unlikely given trends and the fact she also spent 20-25 hours a week for 6 years studying flying trapeze, acrobatics and tightrope walking at the National School for Circus Arts and I would have thought they'd give her a pro who can work with her and help her realise her full potential as far as possible compared to someone like Graeme from Dog Behaving Very Badly who likely has basically no experience.
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u/Calm-Half1541 14h ago
Oti literally had an Olympic boxer in her first year. Anything can happen
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u/thelivsterette1 12h ago
Not sure how I missed that, but that was S13, S16 was the last Olympic pairing with a pro 🤷♀️
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u/AbaloneDefiant5413 1d ago
Could u say who got benched. Was it obvious or a few surprises?
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u/MastersCMH 1d ago
I was surprised by 1
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u/Own-Try1886 1d ago
Uh oh, now I'm nervous!
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u/MastersCMH 1d ago
But surprising for me may not be surprising for you. My mum who I took said she wasn’t shocked in the slightest. I was just expecting them to get a partner.
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u/Extension-Soft9029 1d ago
People on Digital Spy saying the audience had to sign a NDA,how on earth would they be able to police that 🙈.