The ”Strictly Speaking” Podcast

EVERYONE'S HAVING BABIES!!!

In this episode of Strictly Speaking, me and Poppy dissect Week 7 of Strictly Come Dancing 2026. We talk all about Bethany Antonia's controversial elimination, Dani Dyer's leaderboard topping American smooth, Tabby's comeback, Graeme and Lauren's important couples' choice, and the weird scoring decision, particularly from Craig and Anton. 

We also share some other news, including Jaime's withdrawal from week 7 due to injury, the first announcements for the Strictly Live Tour, a series of weird Strictly-related coincidences in the real world, and a bizarre dream I had just last night.

We also share our predictions for the upcoming Week 8, our hopes for the rest of the year television-wise, and our ideal finalists. 

Strictly Come Dancing Week 7 premiered on the 7th November 2026 on BBC One and iPlayer, and the results show was the next day.

Strictly Come Dancing is presented by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, and the judges are Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. 

The celebrities for this year include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, John Nellis and Melanie Walters. 

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two was hosted by Ellie Taylor, who replaced Janette Manrara and Fleur East. 

The returning professionals include Carlos Gu, Alexis Warr, Nikita Kuzmin, Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystał, Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, and Nancy Xu. 

The new professionals are Cristian Priori, Lothabo Monametsi, Mark Karmalita, Aleksandra Isaeva, and Maddie Ingoldsby.

This week's dances:

Will and Dianne danced a quickstep to 'This Love' by Maroon 5

Lacey and Vito danced a rumba to 'Yellow' by Coldplay

Delta and Kai danced a cha cha cha to 'Let's Get Loud' by Jennifer Lopez

Bethany and Nancy danced a foxtrot to 'Bleeding Love' by Leona Lewis

John and Katya danced a salsa to 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers

Graeme and Lauren danced their couples' choice to 'The Book Of Love' by Peter Gabriel

Tabby and Mark danced a Paso doble to 'Supermassive Black Hole' by Muse

Cach and Maddie danced a waltz to 'That Ain't You' by Mulaa Joans

Dani and Nikita danced an American smooth to 'It Had To Be You' by Frank Sinatra

What a spooktacular weekend! 

This week, on the Halloween edition of Strictly Speaking, we dissect week 6 of Strictly Come Dancing 2026. We get into the controversial 3-way dance off twist, Lawrence and Jowita's unfortunate elimination, and Lacey Turner finally topping the leaderboard with her charleston.

We also talk about the weird song choices for some of the couples, Will and Dianne's confusing couple's choice concept, Delta and Kai's weird GhostxAddams Family crossover, Graeme and Lauren's interesting costumes and the under marking of Tabby and Mark's Little Mix quickstep.

With the recent announcement that the Strictly Christmas special will be returning to the 'All Stars' format for the first time in 7 years, me and Poppy share our hopes for who we would like to see return. We also share our elimination predictions for the rest of the series. 

Strictly Come Dancing is presented by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, and the judges are Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. 

The celebrities for this year include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, John Nellis and Melanie Walters. 

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two was hosted by Ellie Taylor, who replaced Janette Manrara and Fleur East. 

The returning professionals include Carlos Gu, Alexis Warr, Nikita Kuzmin, Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystał, Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, and Nancy Xu. 

The new professionals are Cristian Priori, Lothabo Monametsi, Mark Karmalita, Aleksandra Isaeva, and Maddie Ingoldsby.

This week's dances:

Graeme and Lauren danced a samba to 'Coconut' by Harry Nilsson

Delta and Kai danced a Viennese waltz to 'Unchained Melody' by The Righteous Brothers

Tabby and Mark danced a quickstep to 'Black Magic' by Little Mix

John and Katya danced a tango to 'DANCE...' by Slayyyter

Bethany and Nancy danced a jive to 'I'm In Love With A Monster' by Fifth Harmony

Cach and Maddie danced an Argentine Tango to 'Pas De Deux' by Michael Abels

Jaime and Carlos danced a salsa to 'Filthy / Gorgeous' by the Scissor Sisters

Will and Dianne danced their couple's choice to 'Nu Flow' by Big Brovaz

Lawrence and Jowita danced a tango to 'Ghostbusters' by Ray Parker Jr. 

Dani and Nikita danced a Viennese waltz to 'My Favourite Things' from 'The Sound Of Music'

Lacey and Vito danced a charleston to 'Crazy Stupid Love' by Cheryl and Tinie Tempah

Celebs mentioned: Karen Carney, Chris McCausland, George Clarke, Angela Rippon, Karim Zeroual, Tom Fletcher, Alex Scott, Pete Wicks, Jody Cundy, Sara Davies, Tasha Khouri, Abbey Clancy,  Balvinder Sopal, La Voix, Helen Skelton, Dev Griffin, Molly Rainford, Angela Scanlon, Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink

Well that was a week that... happened. 

In this extra long episode of Strictly Speaking, me and Poppy dissect the celebrations and controversies of Week 5 of Strictly Come Dancing 2026.

We get into Tabby's emotional couple's choice routine which scored 2 tens, Delta's triumph in the rumba, and the improvement of contestants such as Will and John.

We also get into other topics such as Shaun Wright-Phillip's elimination following his jive, Shirley's controversial decision to save him in the dance off, and my personal frustrations about some of the choices made in the pairings this year and It Takes Two. Shirley also made a quick trip overseas to judge Dancing With The Stars US, and it seems like we may have another Soda Pop situation this upcoming Halloween week...

Strictly Come Dancing Week 5 premiered on Saturday 24th October 2026 on BBC One and iPlayer, and the results show was the next day. 

Strictly Come Dancing is presented by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, and the judges are Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. 

The celebrities for this year include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, John Nellis and Melanie Walters. 

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two was hosted by Ellie Taylor, who replaced Janette Manrara and Fleur East. 

The returning professionals include Carlos Gu, Alexis Warr, Nikita Kuzmin, Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystał, Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, and Nancy Xu. 

The new professionals are Cristian Priori, Lothabo Monametsi, Mark Karmalita, Aleksandra Isaeva, and Maddie Ingoldsby.

This week's dances:

Jaime and Carlos danced a foxtrot to 'Man I Need' by Olivia Dean

Lawrence and Jowita danced a jive to 'The Rockefeller Skank' by Fatboy Slim

Graeme and Lauren danced a tango to 'Hernando's hideaway' by Archie Bleyer

Will and Dianne danced a cha cha to 'Daddy (Hey Daddy)' by Della Reese

Bethany and Nancy danced an Argentine tango to 'All The Things She Said' by Harrison

Shaun and Alexis danced a jive to 'Faith' by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande

Dani and Nikita danced a salsa to 'DESPECHA' by ROSALIA

Lacey and Vito danced a tango to 'Atomic' by Blondie

Cach and Maddie danced a cha cha to 'Beggin' by Maneskin

Delta and Kai danced a rumba to 'It's All Coming Back To Me Now' by Celine Dion

Tabby and Mark danced their couple's choice to 'stupid song' by Olivia Rodrigo

John and Katya danced a quickstep to 'Five Colours In Her Hair' by McFly

Welcome back! In this episode of Strictly Speaking, me and Poppy dissect Icon Week, including the elimination of Dame Sarah Storey, Bethany's unfortunate dance off, Graeme's plateau, Cach's Frank Sinatra foxtrot, and Lawrence and Jowita's crazy lifts. We also celebrate the lovely news that Will has become a dad for the first time. 

We also make our predictions for the upcoming Week 5, talk about It Takes Two, and of course we analyse some weird merchandise. 

Strictly Come Dancing Icon Week aired on the 17th October 2026 on BBC One and iPlayer, and the results show was the next day.

Strictly Come Dancing is presented by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, and the judges are Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. 

The celebrities for this year include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, John Nellis and Melanie Walters. 

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two was hosted by Ellie Taylor, who replaced Janette Manrara and Fleur East. 

The returning professionals include Carlos Gu, Alexis Warr, Nikita Kuzmin, Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystał, Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, and Nancy Xu. 

The new professionals are Cristian Priori, Lothabo Monametsi, Mark Karmalita, Aleksandra Isaeva, and Maddie Ingoldsby.

This week's dances:

John and Katya danced a Paso doble to 'It's My Life' by Bon Jovi

Dani and Nikita danced a rumba to 'Hero' by Mariah Carey

Lawrence and Jowita danced a salsa to 'La Copa de la Vida' by Ricky Martin

Tabby and Mark danced a samba to 'WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!' by RAYE

Dame Sarah and Julian danced a tango to 'That Don't Impress Me Much' by Shania Twain

Cach and Maddie danced a foxtrot to 'Theme From New York, New York' by Frank Sinatra

Bethany and Nancy danced a cha cha cha to 'Respect' by Aretha Franklin

Shaun and Alexis danced their couples choice to 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' and 'Get Up Offa That Thing' by James Brown

Lacey and Vito danced an American smooth to 'Hometown Glory' by Adele

Graeme and Lauren danced a salsa to 'Voulez-Vous' and 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)' by ABBA

Jaime and Carlos danced a paso doble to 'Ler's Dance' by David Bowie

Will and Dianne danced a jive to 'Crocodile Rock' by Elton John

PROTECT THE DOLLS! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

In this episode of Strictly Speaking, we discuss the highs and lows of Week 3 of Strictly Come Dancing 2026. We talk about all the couples' dances, including the under marking of Will, Lawrence and Tabby, the confusing comments towards John and Jaime, and the ridiculous decisions made during some of the performances. 

We also talk about the devastating news that Delta has had to withdraw from Icon Week due to injury, Jowita's attempts at wishful thinking singing, and a bunch of useless facts that I've collected over the past week. 

Strictly have also found themselves in quite a bit of controversy this week, when people realised they had blurred the pro-transgender statement "Protect The Dolls" from Bethany Antonia's T-Shirt during her training VT.

Trans rights are human rights🏳️‍⚧️

Strictly Come Dancing is available on BBC iPlayer. Week 3 premiered on the 10th October 2026, and the results show was the following night. 

Strictly Come Dancing is presented by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, and the judges are Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. 

The celebrities for this year include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, John Nellis and Melanie Walters. 

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two was hosted by Ellie Taylor, who replaced Janette Manrara and Fleur East. 

The returning professionals include Carlos Gu, Alexis Warr, Nikita Kuzmin, Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystał, Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, and Nancy Xu. 

The new professionals are Cristian Priori, Lothabo Monametsi, Mark Karmalita, Aleksandra Isaeva, and Maddie Ingoldsby.

This week's dances:

Lacey and Vito danced a samba to 'Bamboleo' by Gipsy Kings

Will and Dianne danced a waltz to 'With You I'm Born Again' by Billy Preston and Syreeta

Shaun and Alexis danced a quickstep to 'I'm A Believer' by The Monkees

Cach and Maddie danced their couple's choice to 'Beware.. The South London Lover Boy' by Raye

Jaime and Carlos danced a Viennese waltz to 'Never Tear Us Apart' by INXS

Melanie and Aljaz danced a 'charleston' to 'Ooh Ahh... Just A Little Bit' by Gina G.

Dame Sarah and Julian danced a Paso doble to 'California Dreamin'' by Sia

Delta and Kai danced a salsa to 'Ain't Nobody' by Chaka Khan

Lawrence and Jowita danced a rumba to 'back to friends' by sombr

Dani and Nikita danced a tango to 'Show Me Love' by Robin S

Graeme and Lauren danced a jive to 'Reet Petite" by Jackie Wilson

John and Katya danced a cha cha cha to 'Rock Your Body' by Justin Timberlake

Bethany and Nancy danced an American smooth to 'Love Song' by Sara Bareilles

Tabby and Mark danced an Argentine tango to 'hate that i made you love me' by Ariana Grande

Poor Amy. 

We are back with our full review of Strictly's annual trip to the movies, this year earlier than usual. For the first time in Strictly history, all 15 couples got to compete in a themed week. Unfortunately, only 14 of them made the cut for next week...

In this episode of Strictly Speaking, me and Poppy dissect Week 2 of Strictly Come Dancing 2026, including the judges bizarre treatment of Will and Dianne and Shaun and Alexis, the strange choices made by John and Katya and Bethany and Nancy, and the potential winning chances of Lacey and Vito, Delta and Kai and Graeme and Lauren. 

We also get into the controversial results show, which saw Jaime and Carlos landing in the bottom 2 along with Chris and Amy, and we make some bold predictions for who could be next on the chopping block. 

Strictly Come Dancing is available on BBC iPlayer. Week 2 premiered on Saturday 3rd October 2026, and the results show the following day.

Dani and Nikita performed a foxtrot to 'Beauty and the Beast', from the 1991 film of the same name.

John and Katya performed their couples choice to 'An Irish Party in Third Class' from the 1997 film 'Titanic'.

Delta and Kai performed an American smooth to 'I'll Never Love Again' from the 2018 film 'A Star Is Born'.

Chris and Amy performed a cha cha cha to 'I'm Always Here', from the 2017 film 'Baywatch', which is based on the 1989 series of the same name.

Lawrence and Jowita performed a Viennese waltz to 'Le Festin' from the 2007 film 'Ratatouille'.

Dame Sarah and Julian performed a charleston to 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' from the 1964 film 'Mary Poppins'.

Graeme and Lauren performed a waltz to 'The Godfather Waltz' from the 1972 film 'The Godfather'.

Will and Dianne performed a foxtrot to 'Old Time Rock & Roll' from the 1983 film 'Risky Business'.

Jaime and Carlos performed a cha cha cha to 'Pretty Woman' from the 1990 film of the same name.

Melanie and Aljaz performed a waltz to 'Edelweiss' from the 1965 film 'The Sound Of Music'.

Cach and Maddie performed a samba to 'We Go Together' from the 1978 film 'Grease'.

Tabby and Mark performed an American smooth to 'Rewrite The Stars' from the 2017 film 'The Greatest Showman'.

Bethany and Nancy performed a Paso doble to 'No Good Deed' from the 2025 film 'Wicked: For Good'. 

Lacey and Vito performed a quickstep to 'I Knew It, I Knew You', from the 2026 film Toy Story 5.

Shaun and Alexis performed a salsa to 'You Should Be Dancing' from the 1977 film 'Saturday Night Fever'.

Here it is! Our first official weekly review for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. In this episode, we discuss all of the dances from Week 1, including the genuine surprises of John Nellis, Lacey Turner and Tabby Stoecker, the under marking of Will Best, Chris Appleton and Cach Mercer, and our concerns for contestants such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Melanie Walters and Dame Sarah Storey. 

We also get into our thoughts regarding the schedule shake up, with Movie Week being moved forward, and also some of the controversial decisions the producers have made for It Takes Two. I also discovered a rabbit hole on BBC iPlayer, as we discuss the most daring question any of us have ever asked: is there too much Strictly? 

Also, happy 91st birthday to the icon and legend Dame Julie Andrews!

Strictly Come Dancing is available on BBC iPlayer.

Strictly Come Dancing week 1 premiered on Saturday 26th September on BBC One and iPlayer. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe took over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and the judges are Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. 

Last year's series was won by Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, who beat George Clarke and Alexis Warr and Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. 

The celebrities for this year include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, John Nellis and Melanie Walters. 

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two was hosted by Ellie Taylor, who replaced Janette Manrara and Fleur East. 

The returning professionals include Carlos Gu, Alexis Warr, Nikita Kuzmin, Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystał, Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, and Nancy Xu. 

The new professionals are Cristian Priori, Lothabo Monametsi, Mark Karmalita, Aleksandra Isaeva, and Maddie Ingoldsby.

Tabby and Mark performed a jive to 'Animal' by Katseye.

Dame Sarah and Julian performed a quickstep to 'C'est Magnifique' by Kay Starr.

Lawrence and Jowita performed a paso doble to 'Aperture' by Harry Styles.

Shaun and Alexis performed a cha cha cha to 'Lil Boo Thang' by Paul Russell.

Bethany and Nancy performed a quickstep to 'Stop This Flame' by Celeste.

Lacey and Vito performed a cha cha cha to 'How Will I Know' by Whitney Houston.

Chris and Amy performed a tango to 'No Roots' by Alice Merton.

Melanie and Aljaz performed a cha cha cha to 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' by Elton John and Kiki Dee.

Cach and Maddie performed a quickstep to 'I Just Might' by Bruno Mars.

Graeme and Lauren performed a cha cha cha to 'Hound Dog'.

Jaime and Carlos performed a tango to 'I Feel Love' by Donna Summer.

Dani and Nikita performed a samba to 'Lush Life' by Zara Larsson.

John and Katya performed a foxtrot to 'Ordinary' by Alex Warren.

Delta and Kai performed a samba to 'Baiana' by Barbatuques.

We are back for our fifth year! As a new era of Strictly approaches, me and Poppy are back to reminisce on last year's final, and share our thoughts on the new celebrity lineup, the professionals who were not asked back, who we think each celebrity will be partnered with, and our ideas for Movie Week and Icon Week. 

We also discuss experiences at the Strictly Live Tour and the Professionals tour, share predictions for who could potentially do well in the competition, and discuss the interesting ways Strictly has decided to change some things this year...

Who are you rooting for this year?

Strictly Come Dancing premiers on Saturday 19th September on BBC One and iPlayer. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe will take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and the judges are Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. 

Last year's series was won by Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, who beat George Clarke and Alexis Warr and Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. 

The celebrities for this year include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, John Nellis and Melanie Walters. 

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two will be hosted by Ellie Taylor, who is replacing Janette Manrara and Fleur East. 

The professionals not returning for this series are Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas. 

The returning professionals include Carlos Gu, Alexis Warr, Nikita Kuzmin, Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Aljaz Skorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystał, Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, and Nancy Xu. 

They will be joined by new professionals Cristian Priori, Lothabo Monametsi, Mark Karmalita, Aleksandra Isaeva, and Maddie Ingoldsby. 

Movies mentioned: Wuthering Heights, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Inside Out, Tangled, Toy Story 5, Spider-Man, The Odyssey, Project Hail Mary, The Bride! 

Icons Mentioned: Dolly Parton, Bonnie Tyler, Julie Andrews, Elton John, Ella Fitzgerald, Shania Twain, Tina Turner, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Liza Minelli, Bob Marley, Kate Bush

That's it... we've made it to the end of the year...

Sorry this isn't a full episode of Strictly Speaking, but I just want to take the time to thank the listeners as well as give some quick thoughts on the FAB-U-LOUS final of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. Congratulations to the incredible winners Karen and Carlos, and to the amazing runners up George and Alexis and Amber and Nikita. Thank you to the cast of 2025 for making this series as "marvellous" as it was. 

Also, a big thank you to the legendary Tess and Claudia, we are very grateful that you made Strictly what it is over the last decade, the ballroom will not be the same without you, but we wish you the best of luck.

Again, thank you to everyone who has checked out Strictly Speaking this year, and hopefully we'll be back in 2026!

What a week that was...

After what is arguably Strictly's most shocking elimination of all time, Janet and Poppy are here to dissect this year's musical special. They talk about Lewis and Katya's unexpected exit from the competition, the incredible potential of the four semi finalists, and they get into a debate about whether The Greatest Showman is a movie or a musical.

Also, please remember that at the end of the day, this is all just a television show, and it is never okay to send hate to anyone. Even if you're upset about what happened this week, there's no need to drag others down.