Snippets: Strictly Come Dancing; The Voice

The Sun has printed a list of this year's line up - see it here if you wish - I won't tell you in case you've managed to avoid it and want to wait till the launch show. If I thought it was pure speculation I'd go with it but sadly, The Sun got it right last year. Spoilsports.

If that list is correct though, it's a fab line up, with all the usual accusations being readied: "Profile raiser" "Experienced dancer" "Has been" or, a perfectly balanced cast, all of whom are successful in their chosen careers. Whether you've heard of them or not.  I think this year you'll have definitely heard of them unless you live in a bucket, head down. The official list and bios will no doubt appear in full here after the launch.

Sir Brucie has been included in the Guinness Book of Records 2013. His mammoth TV career - making his debut at 11 years old - means he is recognised as having the longest career of any male entertainer,  at 72 years. And counting.

The Voice UK finalist, Tyler James, has released a new single, A Single Tear. It's a grower and in the style Terence Trent D'arby influenced style he honed on the show. And he seemed to enjoy making the video; Will.i.am will.be.proud.

Snippets: Strictly Russell the Wizard; Brucie at the NTA's;

Flamboyant Strictly Come Dancing star, Russell Grant will be replacing Michael Crawford in The Wizard of Oz, after his run in the reality dance show brought him back to the attention of West End agents.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber production, choreographed by Arlene Phillips, will see Russell will take over the role of Professor Marvel/The Wizard from Phantom of the Opera star Michael.

Sophie Evans is now playing the lead role of Dorothy. She was runner up to winner Danielle Hope, in the search for Dorothy show, Over the Rainbow, who began the show's run at the London Palladium.

The National Television Awards is on ITV tonight at 7.30pm, with The Sun reporting that Sir Brucie is flying in specially from Puerto Rico to perform 'Let There Be Love' - with Ant and Dec!

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two - Choreography Centre Stage

Aleames on the sofa and Alex (Alex says Relax) is still speechless and can't remember anything except that she did enjoy it! James (Top of the whirled) says that as a teacher, to take her from Bambi to Wembley has made him very proud, properly emotional - no, it's dust in the air. Yeah right! Seriously, he went home and cried after their first three days training because he just didn't know what to do! The self-deprecating talk from Alex was because she was absolutely shocking! With them, Robinita, Robbiola and Russia all accounted for first during the Moment of Truth, the Big4 Gladiators would have known how they all feel every week! Less golf, more dancing - he's on his phone and she's having to nag - Charleston this week, should suit her quirky and scatty nature. He hadn't actually told her about the swingathon until today!

Who is it? Passionate about skincare - a slave to fake tan - catchphrase "this is the best thing ever" - it's a tall she: Has to be Natalie, and it is.

Karen Hardy's Choreography Corner: Take a snapshot of the arena - lots of choice: top stage, centre stage, surrounding arena floor - who made the most of it? Pashee brave, she owned her solo section, confident, strong; Jastina lifting it higher every week, the spring in the kicks the swing, he's learning everything, taking it deeper, we love it because of those little extras; Harriona unravelling, risky, lots of what ifs, always bringing more; Robbiola, if ever you'd pay to see an opening, that would be it, performed to the crowd, incredibly difficult lifts, physically in overdrive; Robinita clever rolling in/off the arms, the huge space a struggle for Anita to keep up, may have been better to keep her centre stage; Artolly tricky, near on impossible - the pirouette on the steps. Shot of the night, them heading towards centre stage, a Hollywood entrance! Big floor, big moment, perfect for pro dancers - fantastic first class routine, maybe a step too far for Holly.

Pashee have Argentine Tango this week, roving reporter Vincent tells us step by step: It's all about the man chasing the woman to possess her! Signature move: Ganchos - those snappy leg hooks; sacada - the displacement of each others feet; calesita - man lifts the lady slightly, she's still while he moves around her; planeo - standing on one leg, the other pointed to side while the partner runs around, turning them. Let yourself go with the music, feel each others heart beat!

Top of the Frocks with Amanda Wakely and Oonagh: Top tip - make the woman wear the dress, not the other way around. Chelsee's really clever, flattering, elongated, stretch satin, well designed so Union Jack not distorted, slits, 4000 crystals, feathers emphasising hips, 2 metres of boas cut into strips; Holly's not strictly a dress *groan* 2 pieces, leotard base echo of twinset, 5 layers, georgette, satin, organza, green and blue; Alex's rather beautiful, clever illusion of bare back, elegant, 8 panels of white satin, slight flare, organza, 42 metres, crinoline, writing to keep away from legs!

In other news: The line up so far for the live shows is all revealed - Nancy&Artem; Jastina; Harriona; Mark Foster and Katya; Pashee; Robbie&Natalie; Robinita. Len, Bruno and Craig are judging, with Kate Thornton presenting.

Sir Brucie will be appearing at the Royal Albert Hall in his own headline show on May 3rd next year.

Interview with former Strictly champ, Tom Chambers, about Top Hat.

It's dancing musical chairs, as Christine Bleakley is to replace Holly Willoughby in Dancing on Ice, while Holly signs up to present The Voice.

Eastender's Charlie Brooks has apparently signed for the Strictly Christmas Special

And last I heard, Keith Chegwin was still thereabouts in the Dancing on Ice mix, irrespective of injury!

Strictly Come Dancing: Backstage snippets!

The main news of the day of course, is that Bruce will be missing the show for the first time ever, due to having the flu - his doctor has made him rest! Tess will be presenting, so the betting's between James or Claudia to take on Tess' spot backstage. Or Karen. Or Gethin. or Arlene! I'm off to think of a controversial headline ...

Chrola

Phitya

Rickin

Behind the scenes at Blackpool with Matt and Aliona - they're allowed to take their phones in ...

The wardrobe department's Su Judd says the dresses aren't any shorter (it's just blokes' wishful thinking. Ok, it was me that said that last bit, not her).

And Bobby Davro, Sharron Davies and Suzy Amy have all apparently signed up for Dancing on Ice! That's 97 celebs on it now. Seriously.

Strictly Come Dancing, News in Brief

Stories from the training rooms:

Ali mentioned that she would draw upon her experiences in The Bill to find her aggressive side for the Paso Doble as she was used to catching criminals, throwing them over the bonnets of cars and cuffing them as part of her role!

Ian commented that you have to be a Rolls Royce in the Foxtrot. Jade says that she is more like a Golf GTI than a Rolls Royce but would love to be one!

Natalie Cassidy was born to jive! She absolutely loves training, so much so that she says, "I don’t want to go home!"

Zoe has said that for the last year she has been a mother and so fears she will struggle with the mood of the Samba. Some of the moves make her feel like she is at a wedding rather than a disco!

In related news, Brendan has shared his tips on wooing the ladies! Take them to see Dirty Dancing - then tell them you're a dancer! (The full interview this is taken from is in the Radio Times).

The Bee Gees are this week's guests and all you ever wanted to know about Brucie!