Strictly Come Dancing 2020: Week One – Live! | Television and radio

The judges are very excited about the partnerships. Can you imagine if one of them said ‘I’m not really sorry anymore, I’m sorry’. I would die laughing.

I can say that I am really enjoying this matchmaking format.

Ranvir is paired with GIOVANNI. Another good couple: They are definitely taking out the big shots early.

So far EVERYONE is getting their dream partner, which is a HUGE coincidence. DRINK.

So the format of the matchups tonight is: a little chat, random TV, quick chat with Claudia.

Clara is associated with … ALJAZ. Okay, this is awesome, these first two pairings are going to keep me going until Christmas.

Caroline Quentin is associated with JOHANNES! I LOVE this association. ‘It’s fire, it’s fire, it’s hot’ says Johannes, and I already feel it.

“Everybody has been tested twice before forming their bubble.”

Twelve months ago, these words would not have made any sense. Even now they seem a little crazy.

Usually I complain about how this program takes 90 minutes to do a matching job that should take around ten, but I’m so hungry I’m prepared to stick with it. Embrace the endless stuffing, everyone.

And finally in this lot is newsreader and political editor Ranvir Singh, who does Good Morning Britain and ITV News. I stopped watching the news several apocalyptic years ago, so I’m not very familiar with his work, but he’s apparently been on Loose Women as well, so that’s usually a good sign that someone wants a Disco Salsa.

Next up is Radio 1 DJ CLARA AMFO, who is a completely fabulous brilliant queen and I can’t believe we had to wait that long for her to do Strictly. In my head she was quite tall and therefore destined for a partnership with Aljaz or Johannes (THE DREAM), but the internet tells me she’s only 5’3 ”so maybe not.

Time to meet some celebrities! First up is actress CAROLINE QUENTIN, who has done a great job of exceptional acting, but to me she will always be Dorothy in Men Behaving Badly. She is a bona fide national treasure and must be protected at all costs.

Bubbles! DRINK! Pairings have been done remotely before and all have been tested twice. It’s all pretty confusing but highly approved by the government.

It’s time to meet this year’s celebrities! There are only 12 this year instead of the usual 14 or 15. I have heard of three of them, four if you count Jamie Laing, who I only heard about because he was almost on Strictly last year. It appears to have some kind of indirect connection to chocolate digestives, but the details are sketchy.

A 25% hit rate is normal for me, but everyone will feel like best friends at Christmas.

If you wonder where Bruno is, he’s doing whatever he does in America. They will broadcast it for the results show, hopefully via Zoom or Houseparty or something equally appropriate for Covid.

Social distancing! DRINK. I guess it’s canned applause, but it would be strange to have total silence.

TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in strapless Dalmatian, Trace in Next bright pink pajamas. It’s a shame they weren’t his size.

Out with the judges! Motse is channeling her inner Anna Wintour with a killer bob. In Motse it looks amazing. On me it would look like Lego hair. Life is very unfair sometimes.

And we go! We started with a professional dance with beaches and wind and fabulous dresses, to the tune of ‘Everybody’s Free’ by Rozalla (John Lewis Acoustic Version). Everything is quite charming and emotional. What a year!

Ah, we are in the studio and it has become a disco. It seems strange without an audience, but on the bright side there is NO CLAPPING OUT OF TIME.

Right before we begin, can we agree not to criticize the changes that you have made for this series? Obviously, it will be different and probably not entirely for the better, although if social distancing means Tess can’t mistreat contestants, then I’m very much on board. But it’s worth remembering that the alternative to a 2020-style Strictly would not be Strictly at all, and the fact that the BBC has managed to find a way to put on such a great show is worthy of applause. There’s a lot I’m willing to sacrifice for a weekly dose of dance-filled joy, so let’s be nice. THANKS.

It’s time for Strictly Come Bingo – Covid-19 Special Edition! Have a drink from whatever is in your pandemic emergency liquor cabinet if the following occur:

• Mentions of social distancing
• Bruno in Zoom
• Claudia making a joke about how she changed her name to Tracey so they can be TESS AND TRACE
• The word ‘bubble’
• Professional dancers who show an insincere level of enthusiasm when they find out who their famous partner is.

Good evening everyone and welcome to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Live Blog! I’m very excited to be back, because let’s be honest, that was not a fact in this raging year-long fire. But here we are, ready to dive into a bucket of much-needed sequined music and dance. Hopefully everyone in the cast and crew will remain Covid-free until Christmas; if not, and things go the way of BGT and the Little Mix thing, we may still be doing this at Easter. Will I complain? Not.

Tonight is this year’s Strictly launch show, when our latest group of celebrities will be paired up with their professional dance partners. It has been pre-recorded in different venues so I’m not sure how tonight’s format will play out, but I DO know that the couples are already rehearsing so they can jump straight into the first live show next week. If you want to get an idea of ​​how this year’s Strictly will work, the BBC has explained it well here.

I’ll be here starting at 7.50pm to add a touch of sparkle to the procedures, so feel free to sprinkle on some eco-friendly glitter in the comment box below. This is the best community for socially-distanced fans, so give each other a virtual hug and get involved.

I see you in a while!