Warning: There may be spoilers on this blog, especially if my preditions are right…

Well I can’t believe that it’s that time of year again…. after the launch show and the partnering up (or is that Love Island?) we have a two week wait for the show to begin proper, when the nights will be drawing in and thoughts turn to the C word….

The contestants have been announced over the past few weeks, but as you can see there is already a black cross over the face of Jamie Laing, as he sustained an injury whilst filming the launch show! Let’s hope they get a replacement for him.

There has also been a new judge appointed to replace Darcey, she is Motsi Mabuse, yes the name is familiar as she is Oti big sister, it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

The purpose of the launch show is to pair off the celebrities with their professional dance partners, we already have an inkling as to who is AJ’s partner, as he may or may not have let it slip during an interview on The One Show, so that will be my starter for ten…

Predictions

• Saffron Barker and AJ
• David James and Nadiya
• Michelle Visage and Anton
• Mike Bushell and Katya
• James Cracknell and Oti
• Anneka Rice and Kevin
• Emma Barton and Giovanni
• Dev Griffin and Dianne
• Chris Ramsey and Karen
• Will Bayley and Janette
• Emma Weymouth and Neil
• Karim Zeroual and Amy
• Alex Scott and Johannes
• Catherine Tyldesley and Alijaz

There are some obvious partnerships here, for example, because of David James’ height, I don’t think he could be with anyone other than the lovely Nadiya. I’m going out on a bit of a limb with Anneka Rice, a part of me is screaming Anton, but I don’t think they will partner him up with an obvious choice this year. I’ve teamed Anneka up with Kevin as he does sometimes get the non-favourites and they probably wouldn’t want any scandal with Kevin now that he’s in a relationship with his last partner, Stacey Dooley.  I’ve put James Cracknell with Oti, as I think he will be a bit of a handful and I think Oti would stand no nonsense from him.

I’ve also given Neil a partner, I have heard on the grapevine that he is to have a celectrity partner this year as Gorka has been sidelined, (sob, sob),  so I’ve teamed him up with Emma Weymouth.

Before you go any further – just take a minute to enjoy Ann Widdecombe and Anton in 2010 (yes, i know!) doing their American Smooth at Blackpool!

So there you have it, my predictions for this year.  What do you think? Am I way off the mark? Which ones would you agree with or disagree with? Let me know in the comments.

Looking at the celebrities taking part, I have a funny feeling this is gonna be a Gorka the Corker of a year!!

See you on the other side….