There may be weeks to go until Strictly Come Dancing starts again but thoughtfully they are giving us plenty of time to clear the diary.
The new line-up of celebrities has been revealed with great fanfare and amongst the usual names that don’t ring a bell there are some crackers. Bisto mum Lynda Bellingham will be sporting spandex with Ronnie Wood’s former better half Jo but according to the Morning Line the one to watch will be Richard Dunwoody. Though he may not be the bookies favourite yet we certainly think he’s got plenty of form, especially sartorially. Bright colours, check. Tight trousers, check. Winning through skill with hands and heels, check. One begins to wonder why they haven’t had a jockey on before. Dunwoody has been keeping in shape since his retirement from race riding, most recently in the 1000 mile challenge. He walked 1000 miles in 1000 hours for various charities so should have plenty of staying power.
If Dunwoody manages to stay in the plate with dance partner Lilia Kopylova it will be good news for racing, bringing the sport of Kings to the nation’s TV dinners twice a week. It is not often that our sports enjoy this level of publicity so make the most of it and have a punt by keeping him in the running as long as we can.
We will certainly be cheering him home.