Another year, another set of Strictly celebs get put on the dancefloor, meet their partners and dance for the first time. There’s something so magical about the launch show, seeing who has some moves already and who’s a dance disaster. Since I couldn’t find a paid gig for my Strictly writing, I thought I’d bring it to the blog! Here’s my Strictly 2022 launch show review and the all-important first impressions of the new contestants.
The opening number
As soon as it started, I knew I was in for a treat. Feeling Good is one of my favourite songs of all time (I love multiple renditions too) and you can do no wrong with a classic ballroom sequence. Anytime Johannes gets the lead in a pro number, I approve. They whizzed around the floor with some traditional ballroom partnering but with a modern twist and enough lifts for the entire series! Alijaz and Oti will be sorely missed but stay tuned for the new pros.
Outfit check
I’m a big fan of a classic suit so Claudia’s outfit was always going to be a positive for me. Tess looked like they’d forgotten to trim the fabric of her cape/top ensemble. Far too much fabric for one person. Shirley looked chic in her waistcoat-style jumpsuit but Motsi was the real scene stealer. The hair, the gloves, the high fashion gown. She was serving it!
Now, onto the first set of couples.
Ellie S and Nikita
Ellie Simmonds is one of my favourite athletes of all time and she’s incredibly fun too. Athletes tend to do well because they’re used to hard work. I warmed to Nikita throughout last season and Ellie and he will have the best time! Their first dance will probably be something water-themed because this show is usually predictable for week one.
Tyler and Dianne
I know nothing about Tyler West (Kiss FM and CBBC aren’t in my wheelhouse anymore) but it’s obvious he has moves. Dianne deserves a decent partner again and I’m excited to see her choreography skills in action. She will be able to push him, I can tell already. Team TyDi will go pretty far in this competition.
Kym and Graziano
Millennials know Kym Marsh from Hear’Say whereas OAPs know her from Corrie. She can hit a wide range of voters! Kym and Graz are dark horses for me as she’s been doing the odd bit of training on Morning Live for a while now. A tip for the final if she really gets into it!
Will and Nancy
I can’t believe Will Mellor has never done the show before. Nancy and Will are a duo I can get behind. They’ll laugh A LOT. That frame looked alright for a first go too! He looks like he’s got a natural rhythm but I’m sure technique will be a sticking point for him. Will will sell every dance with his action but I’ll be watching his feet placements.
The new pros
This was the sexiest introduction for new professionals that I’ve ever seen. We’ve got Vito, Carlos, Lauren and Michelle. All of them are super sexy and I fancy them all. I could talk about them for a while longer in this Strictly 2022 launch show review but I won’t. Moving on.
Helen and Gorka
Helen Skelton is a firm favourite in this house (we’re big on rugby league and her ex-player husband just cheated on her) but I’m not particularly optimistic about her dancing skills. Gorka and Helen will have fun and we know she loves a challenge, considering her presenting work. They always seem to give Gorka the less confident dancers and he seems to help them blossom on the show. A safe pair of Spanish hands.
James and Amy
This year’s Eastenders entry is James Bye. The soap actors often do well and I think James is no exception because he’s very popular. I hope he does well as he seems lovely. Amy is equally as lovely and I think they’ll get to Blackpool at least. James looks a bit gangly so he’ll need to work on controlling his body. I think ballroom will be more his thing.
Fleur and Vito
Former X Factor runner-up Fleur East is paired with newbie Italian pro, Vito. We know Fleur can dance but this is another level. She’ll either get to the final or be voted out earlier after one average week (like Aston from JLS and Pixie Lott). Vito and Fleur are going to be fun yet fiery, you can sense it already!
Hamza and Jowita
Again, Hamza Yassin is someone I’m unfamiliar with but I already love him! Jowita is a little firecracker and he seems very calm. An odd couple but they’re often the best pairings! Hamza seems like he’ll be the father figure of this year’s contestant group, a bit like Dan Walker last year. Protect him at all costs!
Last year’s winners, Rose and Gio
We were then treated to a beautiful performance from last year’s winners, Rose and Giovanni, performing their Viennese Waltz. Rose is still such a beautiful dancer. It was really an honour to watch her grow in confidence week after week as well as improve her dance skills.
Matt and Nadiya
Matt Goss from Bros will have that middle-aged vote sewn up! I can see him going quite far as he looks like he can move. Nadiya and Matt will be a beautiful partnership and they could potentially get to the final! He does seem quite nervous though as I understand he’s usually quite a private person. However, he’s excited to be Strictlyfied so at least that’s something!
Ellie T and Johannes
Comedian Ellie Taylor is up next and I’m not sure she and Johannes will get much training done because they are both so excitable. However, I am 100% a huge fan of this duo already and they’ve yet to take the floor! Who knows how good Ellie will be? She’s got lovely long legs and Ellie has plenty of potential. I’d love for them to win!
Molly and Carlos
I’ve no idea who Molly Rainford is but CBBC folk usually do alright. She seems super confident, which is a great skill for this show before it’s even started. With new pro, Carlos, Molly will go far. She’s got stage school experience so probably won’t win but I expect her technique to be pretty solid throughout.
Richie and Giovanni
Richie is already my favourite contestant so it’s exciting to see him on the show finally. He’s a mega fan too! Gio and Richie were not a pair I was expecting (even though I knew Richie would have a male partner) and I’m glad Gio gets to push himself once again. He was always one of my least fave pros (very self-centred) but he’s grown on me since last year. Gio will have to teach Richie to reign in his excitement though!
John Legend’s performance
I’ve no idea what song he sang (not the biggest fan) so I went to make a drink. On my return, I saw Cameron, Kai, Luba and newbie pro, Michelle as the dancers. Guess they’re not getting partners this year then!
Just three more contestants left in my Strictly 2022 launch show review.
Jayde and Karen
Part 1 of the Adams family with Jayde. Again, she’s another celeb I don’t really know but instantly adore her. With Karen, they will have the BEST time! I can’t wait for the choreography between these two. I really hope they’re in the show for a while. Turns out Jayde has previous dance experience so I’m expecting big things from them. Instant favourite pairing too!
Tony and Katya
As an Arsenal fan, I have to root for Tony Adams, even if he’s with my least fave female pro, Katya. Sportspeople are always willing to put in the work so they’ll spend a lot of hours training. Katya and Tony will have that perfect mix of fun and work. It will be a lot of work because he looks like your stereotypical dad dancer but he might be able to master a Waltz!
Kaye and Kai
When Kaye Adams was announced, she was my least fave celeb. Now she’s paired with Kai, one of my fave pros after only one season on the show. Hopefully, she won’t last too long and we get to see lots of Kai in the pro dances. I’ll give it to her though, Kaye looks amazing for a nearly-60-year-old!
The opening dance
The standouts so far look to be Kym, Hamza, Tyler, Jayde, Fleur, Molly, Will and Ellie T (okay, that’s half the class). The others were probably a little more nervous and it showed. The good news is nobody fell or looked 100% terrible! Plenty to work with there. However, they’ve now got one night to learn an entire routine and perform it live. Just kidding, this launch show was filmed a couple of weeks ago but got postponed because of the Queen’s death.
Strictly 2022 launch show review, done! Join me tomorrow when I review the first live show for the Strictly class of 2022! Join me for live tweeting every week and find all my Strictly reviews here.
