Talking Strictly

Fan favourite Dr Ranj is with us in the studio as we sum up Strictly 2018 and the new champs Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton! Ranj also gets the lowdown on what to expect from the 2019 Strictly tour from last year’s finalist Debbie McGee, and there’s much discussion about pacing yourself with the inevitable partying… Turns out Ranj lives in the same building at Joe Sugg so had an inkling something romantic was brewing with pro-dancer Dianne... Ranj also talks us through what happened when the cast of 2018 celebrated Stacey and Kevin’s win on Saturday night; yes, Lee Ryan sang some Blue songs and yes, the odd Steps’ tune did get a spin in Faye’s honour. Alongside host Rachel Ward, plus the Telegraph’s Chrissy Amer and Jess McAree, our panel dissect the show dances and look back at their memorable moments from this series. But that’s not all, for this final episode of the series, we’ve got some serious suggestions for potential format changes when Strictly returns next September and our panel has early predictions on which celebrities could get involved in 2019.

Ashley Roberts is still bearing the brunt of whether it’s fair to have those with professional dance experience appear on Strictly and it gets a thorough airing on this week’s podcast. Debbie McGee, host Rachel Ward and the Telegraph’s Jess McAree and Chrissy Amer weigh in with their thoughts as we look ahead to the final four of Ashley, Joe, Faye and Stacey. Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard chat to us backstage at Elstree Studios, reflecting on how they’ve adapted their choreography throughout the series, Lauren’s determination and AJ’s potential next career as a ventriloquist. Really. We also give our Strictly final predictions on which dances we’d like to see again and what a good booking the team have got for the final musical guest. Christmas has arrived. Email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk with your thoughts and there’s the hashtag #TalkingStrictly if you want to chat on social media. New episodes arrive every Monday teatime and for the latest on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly for Michael Hogan’s live blog and the weekly Ballroom Bulletin.

Ore Oduba, 2016 Strictly champ, is in the studio to launch the 2019 live tour and came prepared to dish the dirt. Debbie McGee joins us from panto rehearsals, and reminisces with Ore about tour life, room service, massages and all. Charles Venn and Karen Clifton share what makes a Strictly high as well as revealing Charles’ dance nemesis. There’s also the tricks of the trade for when you’re waiting to go out on the Strictly dance floor, and the cheekiness that can happen waiting to dance on the live tour. Plus Ore and Debbie discuss the pros and cons of being joined by more dancers than you’re used to for those live routines. Host Rachel Ward and Telegraph panelists Jess McAree and Chrissy Amer bring it all together plus we hear what a young Strictly fan made of Saturday night’s action, and we’ve got a bunch of stats to get you in the mood for the semi-finals. Email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk with your thoughts on Strictly so far and there’s the hashtag #TalkingStrictly if you want to chat on social media. New episodes arrive every Monday teatime and for the latest on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly for Michael Hogan’s live blog and the weekly Ballroom Bulletin.

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton chat to us backstage to reveal their dance nemesis and both tell us something about themselves that we never knew before. If you want to pop on The Cure after listening this week, let’s just say Kevin will love that. Meanwhile James and Ola Jordan have strong thoughts about the Couple’s Choice dances and whether that new category deserves a place on Strictly. Panto rehearsals don’t stop Debbie McGee from being on this week’s panel, alongside host Rachel Ward and the Telegraph’s Chrissy Amer and Jess McAree. We’ve also learnt a few things about 80s kids’ TV legend Sooty, who is pantomiming with Debbie this festive season. And if you’re inspired to dance from this year’s Strictly, then we meet a couple who did just that. It led them to the Rivoli Ballroom and a lifetime together. Email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk to join in next week and remember new episodes arrive every Monday teatime. Let us know what you think on social media using the hashtag #TalkingStrictly. And for the latest news on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly for Michael Hogan’s live blog and the weekly Ballroom Bulletin.

We’re channelling the positivity of Kate Silverton this week; as she bows out with much grace, Kate talks to us about gaining confidence on the show and why she’s a total dance convert now. Ashley Roberts answers her critics who remain unhappy about her past level of dance training as she chats to us backstage at Strictly, plus we celebrate her perfect score of 40, the first of 2018. See, Craig has still got a 10 paddle after all. Debbie McGee is back from sailing the high seas and joins host Rachel Ward and the Telegraph’s Chrissy Amer and Jess McAree to dissect the dances from Blackpool. Debbie shares her insider info on what performing in the Tower Ballroom is really like, plus we hear from a Strictly-viewing grandma who feels Blackpool week tends to overwhelm the celebrity contestants. Email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk with your thoughts on Strictly so far and there’s the hashtag #TalkingStrictly if you want to chat on social media. New episodes arrive every Monday teatime and for the latest on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly for Michael Hogan’s live blog and the weekly Ballroom Bulletin.

Danny John-Jules tells us what he’s taken away from being on Strictly - he was wearing flip-flops throughout our chat as that’s all his feet could take at this point. Plus Kate Silverton and Ashley Roberts have a deep and meaningful about how vital the support is that they’re getting from the rest of the Strictly gang. It’s all about the hugs you see. Host Rachel Ward looks ahead to Blackpool and the Boyzone Children in Need special with this week’s panel of Jess McAree and Chrissy Amer, and instead of the kids’ verdict this week we get the opinion on the dancing from an expert grandma. There’s also a close look at how often Craig Revel Horwood brings out his ten paddle, which he’s yet to find so far this series. Email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk to join in next week and remember new episodes arrive every Monday teatime. Let us know what you think on social media using the hashtag #TalkingStrictly. And for the latest news on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly for Michael Hogan’s live blog and the weekly Ballroom Bulletin.

Dr Ranj reflects on his time in Strictly and how his only negative feedback from fans was if his dance came too late on in the show and parents need to get kids to bed. Debbie McGee and host Rachel Ward were in the studio for the weekend’s shows and reveal what it’s really like to be in the Strictly audience with only a juice and a Freddo to keep you going for more than 7 hours. Plus, alongside the rest of the Talking Strictly panel, the Telegraph’s Chrissy Amer and Jess McAree, there’s a slight educational aspect this week concerning historical and cultural differences dealing with what to do when you really need the loo. There is thankfully much critique of the dancing as well, from whether the new couples’ choice is fair, to who is edging closest towards that winning position. A trio of teenagers also share their differing opinions on the contestants, and Kim Rowell takes a look at the leaderboards over the years to see whether it can predict who will win. Email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk to join in next week and remember new episodes arrive every Monday teatime. Let us know what you think on social media using the hashtag #TalkingStrictly. And for the latest news on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly for Michael Hogan’s live blog and the weekly Ballroom Bulletin.

As we kiss goodbye to Seann Walsh (sorry couldn’t resist) his eventful time on Strictly comes under the spotlight with Debbie McGee, host Rachel Ward and the Talking Strictly panel of Chrissy Amer and Jess McAree. Faye Tozer chats to us backstage at the Strictly studios about being partnered with Giovanni Pernice after his stellar year with our own Debbie McGee, and Faye gives us unusual tips for your new shoes and blistered feet involving vodka and eggs. No lie. Just listen. We also get schooled on how to pronounce the Italian names in the show from this week’s young Strictly viewers who happen to hail from Italy, plus Kim Rowell’s stats lowdown involves who holds the varying records when it comes the number of tens the celebs have scored throughout Strictly history. Email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk to join in next week and remember new episodes arrive every Monday teatime. Let us know what you think on social media using the hashtag #TalkingStrictly. And for the latest news on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly for Michael Hogan’s live blog and the weekly Ballroom Bulletin.

Vick Hope was not ready to leave, as we found out by talking to her backstage at Strictly’s Elstree studios, plus she tells host Rachel Ward why spraying perfume on her socks was a thing for a while. Meanwhile Joe Sugg says he’s met his match in the prankster stakes with Neil Jones, Katya’s husband. Craig Revel Horwood tells Debbie McGee and the rest of the Talking Strictly panel how he actually wanted Debbie to win last year rather than Joe McFadden, and delves into his past to show a softer side to the judge we love to hate on TV. Also, Debbie McGee looks ahead to being in the Strictly studios for Halloween and explains why her 81 year-old mother thinks Seann and Katya didn’t deserve all the flack they got over that oh-so-public kiss. New episodes land here every Monday teatime, and you can email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk or give us a shout on social media using the hashtag #TalkingStrictly. And for the latest news on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly

Craig Revel Horwood is with Debbie McGee and Rachel Ward this week, and does not disappoint. Nothing is off limits as he gives his unique take on the Seann and Katya saga, how he hopes the dance of shame drama is over but is still looking forward to seeing their inevitable rhumba on the show. Craig also tells us which celebrities he thinks need help to stay in the competition, why he was impressed with Katie Piper and why the judges will also get to shine when the new couples’ choice dance begins next weekend. And that’s just part one of Craig - who will return next week for more Strictly insight. As always we hear from a young Strictly fan, get some vital show statistics from Kim Rowell and the rest of our panel, the Telegraph’s Jess McAree and Chrissy Amer share their opinions on some of the technical aspects of the routines and who is underperforming. New episodes land here every Monday teatime, and you can email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk or give us a shout on social media using the hashtag #TalkingStrictly. And for the latest news on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly

Strictly pro Janette Manrara joins the Talking Strictly panel this week, and we’re grateful to now have some hints on what to get Aljaz for Christmas. Regular star panelist Debbie McGee shares her thoughts on the Strictly scandal of Seann and Katya sharing a kiss, with host Rachel Ward and the Telegraph’s Chrissy Amer and Jess McAree rounding out some controversial opinions. Plus Janette tells us the unusual tale of how she landed the job at Strictly in the first place, and reveals what she’s planning for the all-new Couples’ Choice dance when she hopefully gets to do that with Doctor Ranj later in the series. New episodes land here every Monday teatime, and you can email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk or give us a shout on social media using the hashtag #TalkingStrictly. And for the latest news on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly

We all saw it coming but it didn’t make it any easier for Debbie McGee and the Talking Strictly panel to wave goodbye to Anton du Beke, the first pro to be voted out in 2018 alongside his celebrity partner Susannah Constantine. We’ve got the results of our poll on Anton’s choice of partners over the years, and it was a weekend of surprises with Lee and that quiff facing the dance-off (we blame the lack of thumb ring this week) Plus Strictly finally did it, showing same sex couples dancing in the pro-routine on Sunday night. Our kid critics are rooting for Joe Sugg, while we look ahead to Movie Week and present you with a selection of song stats, delving into how regularly some tracks get played. New episodes land here every Monday teatime, and you can email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk or give us a shout on social media using the hashtag #TalkingStrictly. And for the latest news on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly

Flossing, the circle game and 1990s-style thumb rings all get discussed by Debbie McGee and co on this week’s episode - who could have predicted that? But then we didn't expect Anton du Beke to be hiding in Susannah Constantine’s costume either. It was an eventful first live show, to say the least.  As well as hot takes on the weekend's action from Debbie and the panel, we also hear from a trio of young Strictly viewers, distraught at how harshly Craig Revel Horwood marked one of their favourites -- and we crunch the numbers to get some key Strictly stats. Want to know how many sequins are used per series, or which couples are statistically most likely to win in 2018? The answers await you inside. New episodes land here every Monday teatime, and you can email us at strictly@telegraph.co.uk or give us a shout on social media using the hashtag #TalkingStrictly. And for the latest news on what’s in store on Strictly, keep up to date by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly

The foxtrot, waltz, jive and cha-cha-cha will all feature in week one of the Strictly live shows, so naturally the Talking Strictly panel has been scrutinising the celebs' progress during this tense rehearsal week. Join us as Jess McAree and Chrissy Amer cast their critical eyes over the short-but-telling training clips that have come out of Strictly HQ so far, and share whether Joe Sugg, Lauren Steadman, Stacey Dooley, Vick Hope, Dr Ranj Singh or Danny John-Jules look like they’ve got what it takes. 2017 finalist Debbie McGee, who's with us every week, also tells us how vital it is to trust your partner -- and what she really thinks about the video segments the couples have to film in training. Join us every Monday from now until Christmas, visit www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly for more, and drop us a line at strictly@telegraph.co.uk

And they’ve launched! The Strictly pairings are secret no more but have the right celebs been matched with the best pro-dancers for them? Debbie McGee and the Talking Strictly panel weigh in on all the action from the first Strictly of the season. On the menu for this edition of the UK’s leading unofficial Strictly Come Dancing podcast, we hear how excruciating it can feel when you’re waiting for Tess to announce who your partner will be, and whether it’s fair for Anton to always land a celeb who may need more than a little help on the dancefloor. We’ll also hear from another young Strictly viewer on what piqued their interest as the new set of celebs showed off their moves and tease out early predictions on which couple will be clutching that glitter-ball trophy in a few months’ time. Debbie McGee is our star panellist in the studio, and will be giving us her expert views from now until that Strictly final, under appropriate probing from host Rachel Ward. Our regular Strictly specialists, Jess McAree and Chrissy Amer round out the voices, adding in their unique preferences which tend to be based around Faye from Steps and Ashley from the Pussycat Dolls. Join us every Monday teatime, from now until Christmas. And visit www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly for more.

The UK’s leading unofficial Strictly Come Dancing podcast springs into action today with a special preview episode looking forward to Saturday’s launch show. On the menu: our star panelist, Debbie McGee, tells host Rachel Ward the story of exactly how producers selected her for the show - and reveals her Saturday night routine now that she’s free to watch Strictly on telly (spoiler alert: it involves mirrorball accessories). It'll be the first of many McGee revelations, as Debbie will be joining us every week. Elsewhere in the episode, Strictly specialists Jess McAree and Chrissy Amer are on hand with their thoughts on the overall celebrity lineup, we’ve some eagle-eyed predictions of the celeb-dancer pairings from Michel Hogan -- and an appearance from Britain’s youngest Strictly podcast correspondent, Immy. And did someone mention burlesque week? ----- Join the party every Monday, from now until Christmas. And visit www.telegraph.co.uk/strictly-come-dancing for more.

Rhinestones and blister gel at the ready - another season of Strictly Come Dancing is upon us... This year, join 2017 Strictly finalist Debbie McGee and the Telegraph's crack team of ballroom experts for a generous helping of Strictly news and conversation, every Monday.  We'll be shining a light on the weekend's best and worst performances, meeting competitors past and present, and generally giving the world's most fabulous dancing competition the unofficial podcast that it deserves.  Because when you've finished watching Strictly for the week, it's time to do some talking.