Strictly ‘scraping the barrel’? Not a chance and here’s why I’m more excited for the show than ever

“Britain has run out of celebrities,” “They’re scraping the bottom of the barrel,” “Who are these Z-listers?” Ah yes, you can certainly tell that the Strictly Come Dancing line-up has been fully confirmed.

I have been a Strictly fan since 2014, and despite seeing many changes over the years, one thing has never changed: people complaining about the line-up. But spoiler alert: Millions will still be tuning in. Despite the naysayers, the show will be going on for years to come.

Like most TV shows, Strictly’s audience is waning, its audience of seven million last year was its lowest since its inaugural series. However, a lot of that is down to differing TV habits with terrestrial TV losing viewers to streamers. Over the past few years, it has comfortably beaten out competitors, such as I’m a Celebrity, despite the ITV hit arguably often netting bigger stars.

I’m not going to pretend that everyone on the line-up has thrilled me, and I agree with commentators who think this is one of the weaker male line-ups, with Will Best the only name truly exciting me for this year, although Chris Appleton could easily be a dark horse of the competition.

But as for the women, we have some incredible names. Lacey Turner had fans ecstatic, with many even calling her the “Cristiano Ronaldo of the soap world”, while pop star Delta Goodrem is one the best signings of recent years.

Finally netting someone from Gavin & Stacey, perhaps the BBC’s biggest-ever sitcom, in the form of Melanie Walters is a major coup, and I am tired of people pretending like Dame Sarah Storey, Britain’s most decorated Paralympian with 30 medals, is a nobody who could’ve just been grabbed off of the street.

However, it’s some of the lesser-known stars who have generated my excitement. This series is the youngest cast we’ve had in years, and I think Bethany Antonia has the potential to capture the hearts of the nation, much like people like Rose Ayling-Ellis and Ellie Leach have in recent years.

On top of that, the show has finally achieved gender parity again with a roughly equal number of women and men competing. Following reports of abusive behaviour from male professionals, the show saw the number of female celebs notably decline. Seeing this finally rectified means the show is trusted once again.

Strictly’s changes and how it may have impacted the signings

Despite many people taking to the comments to let everyone know they didn’t personally know the celebrity just announced, the cast actually has quite a following. The celebrities and dancers combined have a social media following of 47.2 million people, and if you don’t think any of those will be tuning in for their favourite, then think again.

While John Nellis is not a name that perhaps many, including myself, are familiar with, the star has over 20 million social media followers, and given how AngryGinge, another football influencer, won over the public on last year’s I’m a Celebrity, it’s clear that producers are hoping for a similar scenario.

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And while it’s unlikely that Chris Appleton will be convincing his A-list pals like Ariana Grande or J-Lo to hit the Strictly dancefloor, any of them showing up in the audience would be a major boost for the BBC.

This social media focus seems to have dictated signings recently. Last year, no singers competed, and while this year Delta Goodrem is on, there is one notable absence from the line-up, the ever-trusty breakfast TV presenter. While the likes of Charlie Stayt or Josie Gibson, who was heavily rumoured for this year’s line-up, would be shoo-ins in the past, they’re now being ditched for the likes of Cach Mercer, who could bring in a larger audience.

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This year’s show is also the first in a new era, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe now taking over, and although I have no doubts the trio will make their marks, there might be early hiccups, which could dissuade some stars from signing up.

When it’s clear our new hosts have found their feet, I’m sure bigger names who might not have wanted to be their guinea pigs will be headed back to Elstree. And I’m also sure that when the show returns for its 2027 season, people will still be saying “who” when a celebrity is revealed, while still signing in.