#SCD I wasn't particularly enthusiastic when I read that Vanessa Feltz would be competing in this year's Strictly Come dancing.

It's not that I have anything much against La Feltz (thank goodness) except that I really don't see the point of her. She isn't particularly good at anything except getting her name in the papers bleating about her weight/marital issues. And I could not give a damn about either of those. No. The thing that annoys me about commpetitors like Feltz is that they keep getting public votes to remain in (or not enough to remove them.) Always at the expense of dancers I would like to see more of.
But, while still in despair, I saw that she would be joined by Rachel Riley - O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! I have had a thing about Rachel for a while and I think she is by far and away the best thing to happen to television for years. The words beautiful, intelligent and funny do not even begin to describe her. Lovely long legs and a delightful embonpoint. I don't think she has the face or attitude for Latin dances but I'm looking forward to seeing her in a flapper costume. She has the right sort of quirky humour to pull that style off well and I'm sure that elegant waltzes will also suit.

I'm not too pleased to see Susanna Reid in the line up. Not that I have anything against her skill as a newsreader but I am sick of seeing her vacantly staring back at me with those piss-hole eyes from the other side of the BBC Breakfast sofa when her partner is talking. There's something sinister about the woman, mark my words.

So far the cast of Strictly stereotypes looks like this:
Rachel Riley 27: So far the favourite to win and I'll be having a bet provided that her price does not get much lower before the others are officially announced.
Susanna Reid 42: allegedly 2nd favourite
Tony Jacklin: The obligatory elderly (but popular sports personality) No chance!
Deborah Meaden 54: Interesting. Obviously not in it for the money. Woe betide the sharp tongued judges.
Ben Cohen: A rugby player or so I'm informed. Never heard of him and I don't think he will be anywhere near graceful enough on the dancefloor.
Natalie Gumede: Bad girl from Corrie - Could be the dark horse.
Fiona Fullerton: The obligatory aging model/actress wanting a bit of glitter to lighten up her twilight years. Absolutely stunning in her day.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor: The obligatory pop princess although I don't think she is either a princess nor suffiently pop to gain many votes.
Abbey Clancy: A model apparently. Long legs and might just form a part of my betting trio.
Julien Macdonald: I heard more than enough from him in the last series commenting during It Takes Two on the costumes. He is one of those stupid people who simply cannot stop saying stuff is *AMAZING* I'll have to keep using the mute button.
and
Vanessa Feltz of course who must be this year's comic turn and the partner for Anton.

The other thing that vaguely amused me this weekend was the launch of ITV's rival to Strictly called Stepping Out. I only had to see that it was hosted by that graceless hyena Davina McCall for me to decide never to watch it under any circumstances.