BB FANS

Strictly banks on the Fern factor in ratings war: Former This Morning host to appear as contestant

By Sara Nathan and Paul Revoir Mail

Truce! Strictly and X Factor's Saturday night rating deal

By Daily Mail Reporter Mail

Will Nancy take the plunge on Strictly? Flamboyant star leads names for new BBC series
By BEN TODD and LIZ THOMAS Mail

Strictly skips into Wembley and a 3D final in bid to loosen X Factor's stranglehold on ratings

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have unveiled changes including a 3D final and a Wembley super-show in a bid to loosen The X Factor's grip on Saturday ratings.

Buoyed by the success of last year's series, which got the highest average figures yet, corporation executives are now upping the ante for the next one.

It is understood that Nancy Dell'Olio, ex-footballer Robbie Savage and actress Anita Dobson are lined up to appear.


DailyMail

Any dance will do for Jason Donovan
Star joins Strictly

By LEIGH HOLMWOOD, Sun

Edwina Currie to become latest politican to appear on Strictly Come Dancing

First it was John Sergeant, the BBC's former political editor, whose pasodoble charmed - or shocked - a nation. Then the sight of Ann Widdecombe struggling to perform the Charleston made her a cult figure.

Now Edwina Currie, the former health minister, is set to follow in their footsteps by becoming the latest political figure to join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing.

She will meet executives from the BBC show this week to finalise plans for her to join the line-up, which is due to be announced later this month.

Producers turned to her after failing in their attempts to persuade Lord Mandelson, the former business secretary, to don cuban heels and satin for the programme.

Telegraph

Sequins at the ready! Nancy Dell'Olio signs up for Strictly Come Dancing - and she's ALREADY training

By Iona Kirby Mail

THE line-up for Strictly Come Dancing is revealed by TV Biz today – boasting Sixties pop star Lulu and Noughties heart-throb Harry Judd from McFly. Sun

FOOTIE star Robbie Savage will complete the line-up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing, TV Biz can reveal.

The ex-Derby County captain, 36, had been dithering over whether to join the hit BBC1 reality show.

But last night bosses said they had finally persuaded the floppy-haired midfielder to sign for a rumoured £50,000.

He is expected to join boxer Audley Harrison as the final two male stars on the series, which begins on Saturday.
Sun

Craig Revel Horwood isn't keen on Edwina Currie

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood had admitted that he is not looking forward to working with Edwina Currie on the show.

The panelist has predicted that the former Conservative minister will become this year's Anne Widdecombe.

Following the new contestants' first rehearsals, he told The Sun: "I think she could potentially be a nightmare on the show."

STV.tv

Strictly Come Under The Sea! Eye-catching ocean colours on display as celebrities sparkle in blues and greens at the launch party for this year's show

By Georgina Littlejohn Mail

Jason Donovan Dismisses Rivalry

Jason Donovan and Gary Barlow have laughed off the idea they are "Saturday night rivals".

Australian actor and singer Donovan is about to take to the dancefloor on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing while Take That's Barlow has already made his debut as a judge on ITV1's The X Factor.

Donovan said: "Gary and I have had a laugh about us being Saturday night rivals.

"I think Gary's position is far more steady than mine."

The star said he would not be surprised if the Rule The World singer-songwriter stepped out on Strictly one day.

He said: "Secretly I think Gary fancies himself in some sequins, a spray tan and doing the cha cha cha."

Another former Ramsay Street regular, Holly Valance, said there would not be any extra competition between her and Donovan, who she said was "just adorable and nothing but a sweetheart".

But she said she might have to do something to stop fellow contestant Lulu doing too well.

She joked: "I'm thinking about tripping Lulu... she's too good."
waveguide.co.uk

Curtain rises on autumn's new Strictly Come Dancing

The new series of Strictly has begun, with Tess Daly in a yellow trousersuit, Brucie wearing his knighthood lightly, and judge Bruno Tonioli describing the new line-up of celebrities as "the most tasty pick 'n' mix I've ever seen".

THE PARTNERSHIPS

Robbie Savage/Ola Jordan

Dan Lobb/Katya Virshilas

Harry Judd/Aliona Vilani

Anita Dobson/Robin Windsor

Chelsee Healey/Pasha Kovalev

Lulu/Brendan Cole

Russell Grant/Flavia Cacace

Audley Harrison/Natalie Lowe

Rory Bremner/Erin Boag

Jason Donovan/Kristina Rihanoff

Nancy Dell'Olio/Anton du Beke

Holly Valance/Artem Chigvintsev

Edwina Currie/Vincent Simone

Alex Jones/James Jordan

Telegraph