Bye Will...
In surprising Strictly news, the singer and blossoming dance king Will Young has announced he has quit Strictly Come Dancing 2016 for ‘personal reasons’. Let’s all take a moment to process this news.
In a statement issued by the 37-year-old singer, the former contestant said that he left with ‘joy in my heart that I have been able to take part in one of the most loved shows on British television’. The singer, who was fast becoming a favourite to win the dancing show has shocked the nation with this news, with some speculating this decision was a direct result of him taking on judge Len Goodman on Saturday’s show. In an awkward on-screen panto row, Will challenged the judge after he called out the singer’s Salsa routine, with Len telling Will to ‘turn up, keep up and shut up’.
In the statement, Young said: ‘To be a part of Strictly has been a long-time ambition of mine.
‘As a performer, a viewer, and a fan of the show, to dance as a contestant was an experience I always hoped for.
‘I have made some great friends, and am in awe of their performances week in, week out.
‘I have found a creative partnership with Karen that has been the most wonderful thing to experience.
‘Unfortunately, I am leaving the show for personal reasons. I leave with joy in my heart that I have been able to take part in one of the most loved shows on British television.’

Don’t leave us…
On August 19th we wrote…
You know Autumn is coming when Strictly Come Dancing 2016 and the XFactor start… and by the time you’re stopped voting obsessively for your favourite to win the finale, it’s Christmas.
So the sunshine might be on the way out, but the warm comfort of easy telly is a pretty great trade off. And with this line up, we reckon we’re going to be quite happy spending Saturday night curled up on the sofa. OK, with Strictly and a selection of the best Netflix shows of the year (look, we love sofa time).
So what do we know about the Strictly Come Dancing 2016? Well, it’s a star studded mix of music, TV presenting and politics, and we’re very, very excited.

Louise Redknapp

Louise, 41, was a member of girl band Eternal. She’s got some basic dance background from her time at theatre Italia Conti, but she claims she doesn’t have any kind of advantage, saying ‘I left [Italia Conti] at 16 to join Eternal and then spent most of the 90’s doing hip hop moves and wearing knee pads!’ She might maintain she’s not prepared but we like Louise’s chances.
Will Young

Ore Oduba
Laura Witmore

Ed Balls
Danny Mac
Melvin Odoom
You might have been waking up with 36-year-old Melvin Odoom for a while, given that he presents the Kiss FM breakfast show, but you might not know that he’s got a passion for dance. Melvin is definitely taking the show very seriously, telling the BBC, ‘I already love dancing but Strictly seems like a completely different animal. I have been going to the gym more, and running. Plus, I have cut down on certain foods and drink. I miss cake so much!’