I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I was when the BBC invited me back to compete in another series – my sixteenth! Sweet sixteen! Well, let me tell you, nothing would be sweeter than the heady reward of lifting aloft that ever-elusive glitterball at the Grand Final. Could this year be my year I wonder? There’s only one way to find out, my loves — Strictly‘s back… and I’m ready to dance!
Wait till the end… pic.twitter.com/H1OWiuWnDy
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 28 August 2018
Now there’s a spectacular teaser trailer if ever I saw one! BBCStrictly tweeted it with the comment “Wait till the end…” and with good reason – fast forward to 1m 13s and you’ll see what they mean. Simply joyous! I’m taking it as a very good omen!
The competition this year is certainly hot, with a very strong line-up as I’m sure you could tell from the red carpet launch show two weeks back. What a spectacular event that was – the BBC working its phenomenal televisual magic once again. Every year it just gets better and better, and series 16 is set to beat all others with the calibre of talent – and its wonderful production wizardry. Wizardry was certainly the word when I made an entrance atop a giant glitterball at the end of the group number! It’s very important to make a memorable entrance, you know!
🎶He came in like a Du-Beke-ing ball… 🎶#Strictly pic.twitter.com/SkMqFN7seI
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 8 September 2018
Our family of Professional dancers has had a bit of a reshuffle – this will be the first series without Brendan Cole who’ll be sorely missed by all, as will the lovely Chloë Hewitt, too. The three newcomers to the Strictly fold are Johannes Radebe, Luba Mushtuk, Graziano Di Prima – three very talented dancers who are sure to win your hearts as you see them in action. Let’s extend a very warm welcome to them all!
We’ve fifteen celebs from a fantastic diversity of fields this year – presenters, actors, singers, sportspeople, journalists, a comedian and even a doctor!
Say hello to the #Strictly class of 2018! 👋✨
Meet our fabulous 15: https://t.co/SUvuhlm6fE pic.twitter.com/xgQnshXomS— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 21 August 2018
…Those all important pairings are as follows, and I rather think they make for an exciting, if not sizzling series indeed!
Radio DJ Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima
‘Steps’ singer Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice
News anchor Kate Silverton and Aljaz Skorjanec
Presenter Katie Piper and Gorka Marquez
Paralympian Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard
Documentary maker Stacey Dooley MBE and Kevin Clifton
‘Pussycat Dolls’ singer Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev
Actor Danny John Jules and Amy Dowden
‘This Morning’s Dr Ranj Singh and Janette Manrara
‘Casualty’ actor Charles Venn and Karen Clifton
‘Blue’ singer Lee Ryan and Nadiya Bychkova
YouTuber Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell
Comedian Seann Walsh and Katya Jones
England Cricketer Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse…
…and of course, my new partner for Strictly 2018… the rather fabulous Susannah Constantine – fashion journalist, presenter, author… and now dancer-in-the-making!
“Bring on the #Strictly curse” 😂We’re so ready for Susannah and @TheAntonDuBeke ✨ pic.twitter.com/vchgTrSP4y
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 8 September 2018
Fifteen fabulous #Strictly couples 🙌 pic.twitter.com/g6gFGYSJMI
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 9 September 2018
We’ve got off to a tremendous start in rehearsals: we happen to be very well suited personality-wise, and as you know, we’re both very particular about being properly, and appropriately dressed. I’m hoping her attention to detail will translate to the dance floor, but if initial enthusiasm and determination are any measure, I say we’re dressed for success!
Our first dance in the competition is the Samba. And however you choose to pronounce it, it’s a tall order for anyone’s first performance on Strictly! In at the deep end as regards energy and performance level, not to mention the steps… and it’s a physically demanding dance too. All that said, what better way to immerse yourself into the spirit of the show – it could work a treat for gaining experience and building confidence, and, thinking positively, our dance could be a triumph – as evidenced by the rehearsal clips below!
“I haven’t had this much fun with my clothes on for years…” 🤣 #Strictly rehearsals are going well then Susannah and @TheAntonDuBeke? pic.twitter.com/d8o7z3DVWp
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 18 September 2018
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Dancing Into The Weekend With @susannahconstantine Like… #strictly #bbc #2018
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Last day of full rehearsals today… Bring on Saturday!🕺🏻 @susannahconstantine #strictly #bbc #2018
Not long to go now until the theme tune begins, the audience clapping in rhythm, Tess and Claud heralding the start of the competition… and fifteen fledgling couples waiting their turn to take flight and perform live for the judges, the studio audience, and the nation!
Our dance card’s all set up ready for this series over at antonanderin.com/strictly – and there you can look back over the past 15 series’ dances – Erin’s too – some fabulous performances to revisit.
If you want to see more, don’t forget Erin and I are on tour in 2019 with Dance Those Magical Musicals! Running from 25th January to 24th March, it’s going to be our best tour yet!
And I should also mention that my debut novel “One Enchanted Evening” is due for release on the 4th October – less than 2 weeks away! You can pre-order a signed copy from WHSMith here, or click through to read more about it.
But until then, Susannah and I have some dancing to do! Wish us all the very best of luck, my loves, and we’ll see you on the dance floor this evening… tune in, BBC1 6.15pm – let’s dance!
Much love, as always,
