A whole host of BBC newsreader chicks have hit the floor to help raise money for Children In Need – to be aired as part of the BBC’s Children In Need fundraiser on November 19th.

BBC newsreader Susanna Reid has proved she can shake her funky stuff on the floor, so defying her 40 year old’s body whilst sporting an eye-boggling purple dress with a split right up the thigh – with a few red tassels to boot.

The BBC Breakfast presenter dances alongside professional dancer Robin Windsor for the big charity push and proves she’s fit to move. Those following the Strictly Come Dancing odds will be looking forward to the show.

Not to be outdone, fellow BBC broadcaster Sophie Raworth – aka henceforth as the blonde bombshell – also defies her 43 years with something of an eye-catching dance display. Sophie, a mother of three Manchester University graduate who is also a fluent French speaker, is clearly no stranger to a workout – or a dance floor it would seem. She struts her enviable toned physique alongside partner Ian Waite in a not to be missed sassy display.

Then there’s the legend that is Angela Ripon whose long legs are no strangers to BBC viewers old enough to remember Angela first putting her famous pins on display in the Morecambe and Wise Christmas TV special back in 1977.

Although 34 years older, Angela has lost few of her charms. She may have even gained a few for the more discerning gentleman! In fact, Angela Rippon originally hosted BBC show “Come Dancing” over 30 years ago.

Angela displays the intricate kind of footwork that would put a woman half her age to shame, before doing a comedy sketch whilst wearing a ruffled black dress and displaying plenty of glimpses of those famous legs.

Meanwhile, BBC newsreaders Sian Williams, 46, and Emily Maitlis, 41, also join the line-up for the comedy routine. At the start of the “Strictly News” scene, the female newsreaders are shown sitting behind their desks and looking more than a little bored. It’ll be a lot of fun, although don’t expect to find any Strictly Come Dancing tips.

Don’t miss it!

There will be no dance-off for the current series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The BBC has decided to return to the no dance-off format from the show’s first four series.

That means the judges don’t have the power to save a couple who are in the bottom two; keeping them in the Strictly competition. Those looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds should remember this.

Under the new rules (or the old ones depending on which way you look at it!) the couple with the least overall aggregate points from both the public’s vote and the judges’ scores leave the competition – and that’s it.

The BBC clearly wanted to simplify the competition format taking a “back to basics” approach with the scoring system and eliminating couples from the show. As a consequence, the results show is a lot shorter, but it is better in quality and has newer performance numbers. The Strictly Come Dancing tips reflect this.

On its official Strictly website, the BBC says: “By taking the ultimate decision away from the judges and therefore ensuring the couple with the least number of combined points in the competition that night goes home, we believe is the fairest outcome.

“Strictly Come Dancing is an entertainment dance show, and audiences will vote for who entertains them the most on a Saturday night – whether that be a couple who dance amazingly well, or a couple who dance to the best of their ability and who bring enjoyment to viewers.”

The semis

At the semi-finals stage on Saturday 10th December, all the couples left in Strictly will dance twice. The judges will score as usual and the couple with the lowest aggregate score from the judges and viewers will get the push.

If there are five couples remaining in the competition ant the semi-final stage, then there will be a double ejection as the Grand Final must have a maximum of just three couples.

Grand Final

And this year’s Grand Final of Strictly will be broadcast live from Blackpool’s world famous Tower Ballroom on the 17th of December. And it will be shown for the first time ever in 3D.

So who’ll be there? Jason perhaps, Chelsee and Harry? That’s certainly the favourites’ line-up at the moment.

The X Factor hopefuls have been warned that their partying could hamper their chances of doing well in this year’s competition.

Voice coach Yvie Burnett, speaking to The Daily Record, said singing needs to be a priority for the youngsters if they want to do well on the show.

The Risk, Frankie Cocozza, Marcus Collins and Misha B were all spotted at the exclusive Mahiki nightclub last week, only days before the live performances on the show. People looking at the X Factor odds should remember this.

And Frankie’s mentor Gary Barlow made it perfectly clear that he wasn’t happy with his antics, even though he admitted to letting him go out because he’s a teenage boy and he should be allowed to have fun.

However, Ms Burnett said they “will have to watch that the partying doesn’t become more important than the hard work” – remark which Frankie might want to heed, since he has so far shown that his talent very much lies in performing, not singing!

“The choice seems simple to me. I’ve always said you can party once you have made it,” the voice coach told the newspaper.

“These contestants have to look after their voices. They are young, though, and have to learn that themselves,” she added.

Frankie seemed to be proud of his week’s exploits, however, with him showing off tabloid articles citing his conquests whenever he was spotted out and about.

But if the bookies’ odds are anything to go by, this week could well be his last, as he’s the favourite to be axed on the Sunday night results show. If he goes, you never know, it might be enough to deflate his ego somewhat!

X Factor judge Louis Walsh believes Craig Colton is someone to watch out for in this year’s competition.

The former biscuit factory worker has impressed the judges week in and week out so far, with his vocals hitting the spot each time. People looking at the X Factor betting should remember this.

“I love his voice, he absolutely lives music. He’s the one to watch. He is so nice behind the scenes,” Louis told The Mirror.

The judge told the newspaper he also has high hopes for Craig’s Liverpudlian rival, Marcus Collins, who he described as “brilliant”, but he admitted the city might be split when it comes to choosing who to vote for.

“[Marcus] is soulful and likeable with a brilliant smile,” he said.

Louis may have had kind words for two of Gary Barlow’s boys, but he had no praise to give ladies’ man Frankie Cocozza, who so far hasn’t proved to wow the audience either.

“He started off too well and it is only going downhill,” Louis claimed, adding that his vocals aren’t very good and he’s a “bit of a one-trick pony”.

Last week, Frankie admitted himself that he knows he’s not the strongest singer in the competition, but vowed not to give up trying. Those placing an X Factor bet should bear this in mind.

Unfortunately for viewers that may mean his failure to hit the high notes is even more excruciating than usual when the show airs again this weekend!

According to the bookies, Frankie could well be on the way out this week, but he could well be joined in the bottom two by Kitty Brucknell, who the viewers haven’t exactly warmed to yet either, so a real battle could commence!

This week, ‘The One Show’ presenter and Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestant Alex Jones and her professional dance partner James Jordan will be performing the dance of love – the rumba. And James is doing everything he can to bring out Alex’s hitherto hidden ‘sexy side’. The lack of technique will be more obvious in this dance as there’s more chance to see exactly what Alex is doing, but the pair are hoping that all their hard work and practice will pay off and they’ll rumba their way into next week.

In the meantime, Ausse soap star turned pop star (aren’t they all?) Holly Valance and her professional dancing partner Artem Chigvintsev will be dancing a Viennese Waltz, something which Holly is finding trickier to master than previous dances, due to the unnatural ways it requires her body to move. People looking at the Strictly Come Dancing betting should remember this.

The samba is this week’s dance for singing legend Lulu (anyone who needs only one name has got to be a legend) and her partner, professional dancer and lady’s man Brendan Cole. A dance which Brendan has described as a little bit crazy and fun, a lot like his partner Lulu, the samba is one of Lulu’s favourite dances so far. The two have become so close during training that they’ve developed a language of their own which they use whilst practicing. It sounds a lot like gibbering moneys to us, but hey, whatever works for them. Anyone search for Strictly Come Dancing tips must bear this in mind.

Self-titled ‘Italian siren’ Nancy Dell’Olio and her eternally patient professional dance partner Anton Du Beke meanwhile, will be performing the Paso Doble. The Paso Doble is a dramatic, passionate and intense dance, which, never one to be accused of modesty, Nancy would like to think sums her up perfectly. In a somewhat less pretentious summary of the dance, Anton said ‘it’s all about the arms and the skirt’.

This year’s Strictly Come Dancing is full to the brim with sparkles, sequins, fake tan and, of course, fabulous celebrities. In the line-up of stars hoping to samba their way to success in this year’s Strictly is roly-poly barrel of astrological fun, Russell Grant, who is nothing if not enthusiastic as he flails around like a hyperactive weeble on the dance floor.

There’s Edwina Currie, who did not follow fellow former politician Anne Widdecome’s previous example of staying in the game far longer than her abilities would suggest, despite being equally as rubbish.

Then there’s Jason Donovan and Harry Judd, both from a singing background and both showing dancing talent by the bucket load. Those looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds should remember this.

Next up is Rory Bremner, who so far is falling slightly short of doing a convincing impression of a professional dancer.

He’s followed by Holly Valance, who’s getting former Eastenders’ star and last year’s winner, Kara Tointon, hot under the collar as she dances with Kara’s current squeeze, professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev. Those following the Strictly Come dancing winner odds will be wondering how things will pan out.

Not to forget actress and possible fan of plastic surgery, Chelsee Healey, the one who isn’t Christine Bleakley and who is Welsh, Alex Jones and old-school ex-Eastender Anita Dobson, who is beautifully elegant on the dance floor.

After them there is former boxer and man mountain, Audley Harrison, who moves with more grace than you’d expect from such a big chap, Lulu, who has apparently found the secret to eternal youth (if not perfect dancing), footballer Robbie Savage, self-proclaimed ‘Italian Siren’ and fan of champagne, Nancy Dell’Olio and, finally, Dan Lobb, television presenter and tall man.

So, who of this stellar line up will take away the Strictly trophy at the end of the series? We’ll be staying glued to our screens to find out!

Knocking back the Barcadis before hitting the local disco (or local nightclub if you’re not over 50) might be par for the course in this day and age, but getting merry before attempting a fast-paced foxtrot or a sultry samba in front of a studio audience, four judges, and millions of viewers of Strictly Come Dancing might not be the wisest of moves.

Someone might have to tell that to Sven Goran Eriksson’s former squeeze, Nancy Dell’Olio however. And it seems they might already have done so, as recent reports reveal that tabloid-favourite Nancy has been banned from boozing before taking to the stage during Strictly Come Dancing 2011, because her taste for champers is having an impact on her dancing. Oops! Those looking at the Strictly Come dancing winner odds should bear this in mind.

Apparently, fiery Italian Dell’Olio partook in a few glasses of bubbly (and not just any bubbly – vintage Veuve Clicquot, don’t you know) before taking to the stage to perform a salsa which has been described as ‘hysterical’. And that’s putting it nicely. The Strictly Come Dancing betting indicates she could be set for the high jump.

It’s been reported than Nancy has up to fifteen bottles of premium bubbly in her dressing room at any one time. To be frank, we completely empathise with old Nancers; we’re exactly the same. Only we have White Lightening. And only one bottle. And it’s not a dressing room, it’s a park bench… Other than that though, we’re completely the same.

Professional dance partner and part time Rob Brydon lookalike Anton Du Beke has compared dancing with Dell’Olio to “wrestling a tiger” (brave man) but whether Nancy can stick to the posh booze ban remains to be seen. We’ll be staying glued to our screens to find out.

Normally it’s only the disgruntled X Factor rejects who hit out at their mentors, but Frankie Cocozza has decided to lash out at his while he’s still in the competition.

The self-professed ladies’ man, who hopefully had his ego taken down a few notches after landing in the bottom two on Saturday, was reportedly furious at Gary Barlow for changing his song at the last minute.

According to The Sun, the wannabe told fans outside the ITV studios that he was angry he’d have to sing Coldplay’s The Scientist, moaning that it was bound to lose him votes and it appears he was right. Those following the X Factor winner odds should remember this.

However, straight after the performance, Frankie remained loyal to his mentor, claiming to trust him and telling host Dermot O’Leary that he was happy with the song.

A source told the newspaper: “When Frankie popped out for a cigarette to calm his nerves, he told [the fans] not expect much because he’d been given a s*** song.”

The insider added that Frankie “didn’t dare go against Gary”, but he was “upset, frustrated and worried” by the song choice.

Louis Walsh ripped into Frankie after his performance, saying he had lost his “swagger or something”, and suggesting he was “the one to beat” before his Coldplay rendition.

Tulisa Contostavlos wasn’t a fan of the song either, saying that the choices “are a bit repetitive” from Frankie. Those placing an X Factor bet should bear that in mind.

Despite the criticism, Gary wasn’t quite so ready to back down, telling Frankie “you did a great job tonight”.

Even though he saw himself in the bottom two, Frankie managed to sing for survival, going through to week three ahead of the slightly worse singers of Nu Vibe.

It’ll be interesting to see over the next couple of weeks whether it really was the song choice that lost Frankie public votes or if his not-up-to-scratch singing voice is actually to blame!

Former X Factor hopeful Charley Bird has said she hopes her pregnancy didn’t sway the decision not to put 2 Shoes through to this week’s show.

The bubbly Essex girl and her co-singer Lucy Texeira were booted off the show last week, but she said she believes it would be “really, really wrong” if it had been because she’s expecting a baby.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said she’d really pushed herself hard on the programme, even though she’s pregnant, so she’d be “really upset” if that’s the reason they didn’t get through.

“The whole way through I haven’t not done things, I’ve kept going through times that were really, really hard. And I think if it was because of that then that’s really, really wrong,” she told the newspaper.

But she said she didn’t think their mentor, Tulisa Contostavlos, would do that too them because “she’s a very, very beautiful person inside and out”.

Crying as she announced the act she’d be dropping following the first live show, Tulisa said it had been a very difficult decision to make.

But afterwards, she said the duo, who sang Something Kinda Ooooh, should keep going in their singing career and should perhaps consider appearing in The Only Way is Essex if they get a chance.

While other contestants have slated their mentors or have blamed others for their early departure from the show (mentioning no names, James Michael), 2 Shoes have remained extremely dignified. Something those placing an X Factor bet will appreciate.

In an interview on ITV’s This Morning, the pair said they were pleased to have got as far as they did, particularly as they were the only ones who were actually a group to start with.

Charley said: “We didn’t think we’d get this far as we feel so proud that we got to the live shows in front of all them people.”

So watch out, reality TV buffs, 2 Shoes could be on a TOWIE episode sometime soon!

Big Brother has received its most damning ratings assessment so far, as the Daily Mail asks the question, “is anyone still watching Big Brother?”

The reality show’s popularity with British householders continued to slide at the weekend, with the eviction of Rebeckah Vaughan on Friday attracting just 1.5m viewers. To put that figure into context; the eviction of Tashie on the previous Friday had 1.83m people glued to their TV sets. Big Brother has, therefore, lost more than 300,000 viewers, in the space of a week. Those looking at the Big Brother winner odds will be wondering what’s going on.

“Overall, Channel 5 came last in Friday night’s primetime audience share”, explained the Total Big Brother website. The network claimed 4.1% of the total audience on offer, compared to BBC2 with 6.0%, Channel 4, with 8.5%, and BBC1 and ITV1, with 18.2% and 21.4%, respectively.

The newest season of Big Brother has already destroyed the record for lowest TV audience in the history of the reality series, achieving just over 900,000 viewers, last Saturday. The previous ‘low’ was 1.5m, in 2009. At the time, Kevin Lygo, chief of television at Channel 4, said that Big Brother’s flagging popularity could be attributed to the show reaching a “natural end point” – or, in other words, the show had worn out its welcome with viewers long before it was sold to Channel 5.

Channel 5 is alleged, by the Daily Mail, to have signed a five-year contract with Endemol, the creators of Big Brother. Those who bet on Big Brother will be wondering if there will be another series.

It’s worth noting that last weekend’s eviction was only the second of the current season, with potential for a further eleven before the eventual winner drags a £100,000 cheque to the getaway car. However, if the current ratings slide continues, Channel 5 could find itself with only a hardcore viewership tuning in to watch the housemates misbehave, less than a month into its five series contract.