Strictly Comparisons

So we now know that Jerry was the one to bite the dust this week, and won't be able to "paint it black" any more (shame, as I love that song and a Paso to it would be brilliant, although maybe not from Jerry lol).

For a bit of fun, let's try and compare all the stars of the 2012 cast to former competitors :)


Louis Smith - The new MARK RAMPRAKASH. I know most fans would compare him to Harry Judd from last year, but for me, the chemistry with his partner (or more the lack of it for the most part) echoes that of Mark and Karen from series 4 (H&A got the chemistry right quite early on). 

Michael Vaughan - The new JULIAN CLARY. I was tempted to go with Chris Parker but that would be doing Michael a disservice (sorry Chris but you were rubbish all-round, at least Michael is alright at the Ballroom). Was also tempted by John Sergeant. 

Johnny Ball - The new JIMMY TARBUCK. Both connected by withdrawals (Jimmy withdrew, Aliona had to withdraw due to injury), and both elder statesmen who, though we loved them, just couldn't dance.

Sid Owen - The new CHRIS HOLLINS. Unexpectedly good to start with, and then The Latin Choreography of Ola gets in the way (although it's now The Ballroom Choreography of Ola too). Somehow I don't see him lasting as long.

Colin Salmon - The new JIMI MISTRY. Good at most dances, but a shock early exit has got to be on the cards for him. The producers played up the "Hollywood star" angle with him as well.

Nicky Byrne - The new CHRIS PARKER. I struggled a bit with this one as Nicky does seem better than Chris already, but in terms of "young person who we thought would be good and wasn't" he seems to fit. Both suffered from the choreography of their pro partners too.

Richard Arnold - The new RUSSELL GRANT. We expected them to be duffers but they actually turned out alright. Can't see Richard going as far as Russell though, not unless the magic of Halfway-Erin comes in (as in, pretty much all of her partners have lasted until the halfway point).


Dani Harmer - The new CHELSEE HEALEY. Someone who wasn't really liked at first but seems to be winning people over each week with both her personality and her dancing. Hope she goes as far as Chelsee too.

Victoria Pendleton - The new ALEX JONES. I do think there is a bit of a parallel here. Both didn't do great on their first dances but visibly improved in their week 2 Foxtrot, before their week 3 Rumba didn't go well. Not sure Victoria has the personality to get as far as Alex though.

Kimberley Walsh - The new RACHEL STEVENS. Probably a bit harsh but although Kimberley is good, her personality just isn't coming across much at all. Don't know if Pasha will be able to help her with that.

Denise Van Outen - The new LISA SNOWDON. Popular with the judges but not with the public. The dance-off will save her but like Lisa, she ain't getting near that glitterball trophy. Having James doesn't help either.

Lisa Riley - The new PAMELA STEPHENSON. A larger lady who we were all surprised could dance, Lisa seems to be quite popular too. Could she get to the final as well?

Jerry Hall - The new JO WOOD. Another former rock star's wife who just couldn't really dance. Jerry though could have been better if she practiced more.

Fern Britton - The new LYNDA BELLINGHAM. Fairly popular and with a nice enough personality but the dancing is a bit "nice but boring". Think she'll last longer than Lynda though.


So what do you guys reckon? Do you think my comparisons are about right, or do you think there's some better ones that could be made? Feel free to leave me comments below.