'I know everyone at home will be willing it to go on because it's such a great show'

The show is due to return in September

Judge Craig Revel Horwood recently said 2020 series could go ahead without studio audience

A selection of archive photographs to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day

Merry Christmas, glitterati! It’s a cracker of a lineup, but who will win that most sparkling of festive prizes, the Silver Star? Join us to find out

Afternoon all, hope you’re having a lovely Christmas day.

There’s no official liveblog for today’s Strictly Christmas special, but we’ve opened a blog so you can add your special brand of festive sparkle in the comments below. It’s a Christmas cracker of a lineup, featuring lots of our favourites from previous years – Chizzy Akudolu, Debbie McGee, Gemma Atkinson, Joe Sugg, Mark Wright and Richard Arnold. It’s also very much a couples’ choice – both Gemma and Joe will be dancing with their real-life partners Gorka and Dianne, which is all rather lovely.

H from Steps brought tears to the judges’ eyes with his performance. Now, more than ever, we must cherish these moments of LGBTQ visibility

One of the most peculiar aspects of realising that you are LGBTQ is the loneliness. Your immediate family is unlikely to belong to the minority you may feel you have been arbitrarily parachuted into. You may be fortunate that they have supportive attitudes; many are not. The odds are that you have heard derogatory terms about LGBTQ people thrown around the playground not once or twice but like confetti. On TV and film screens, on advertising billboards, in magazines and in books, society’s expectations about settling down with someone of a different gender will bellow at you. You may struggle to come out to yourself, let alone anyone else, and fear judgment and rejection.

That is why major cultural events, such as the first same-sex performance on ITV’s Dancing on Ice last night, are so important: they can be lifelines for the closeted, whether they are aged 13 or 78. Acceptance for LGBTQ people struggling with their sexuality is like water to a sponge: anything that showcases and values our existence has a profound impact. That’s why H from Steps – one half of the couple – told the judges that it was emotional, in part because “it means so much to so many people and the world is ready for this”. It’s why the actor John Barrowman broke down in tears “because of seeing two men who represent someone who is like me and to skate as well as you did”. What’s all the fuss, the usual suspects will cry, but it matters precisely because society, and particularly currently emboldened bigots, makes such a fuss about anyone who deviates from a heterosexual norm.

It seems Strictly Come Dancing will be introducing a new dancer this year – Gorka...

Strictly's Graziano di Prima has revealed he and fiancée Giada Lini have been...

Social media users have adopted the troupe as a dark-humoured symbol of death in the time of Covid-19.

Kriti Kharbanda, needless to say, is one of the fittest actresses of Bollywood. She has always been a fitness enthusiast and tries different forms of workout to keep it interesting. Her recent Instagram post has left us all wondering if there’s anything that she cannot do with perfection. The video has really motivated us to think of new ways to start working out.

She posted the video with the caption, “Throwback to my favourite form of workout! Definitely regret not installing a pole at home. Adding this to my to-do list post the lockdown! What’s on your list !? What do u really miss doing!?”

Watch the video, right here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kriti Kharbanda (@kriti.kharbanda) on May 7, 2020 at 7:44am PDT

On the work front, Kriti Kharbanda will next be seen in Bulbul Marriage Hall with beau Pulkit Samrat, produced by Salman Khan.

Also Read: Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda to star in Salman Khan’s next production venture

Argentine footballer Paulo Dybala has tested positive for Coronavirus for the fourth time recently. His pop-star girlfriend Oriana Sabatini has also contracted the virus.

However, the couple have continued to keep their spirits high despite the setback. The Argentine pair have been constantly posting pictures and videos on social media to keep themselves and their fans entertained.

In one such post, the Juventus star and Oriana are seen honing their PlayStation skills.
In another video, the Argentine football star is seen working out in his home gym and simultaneously joining in a TikTok dance routine with Oriana.

In yet another video, Paulo is playing the piano while Oriana is singing. Some of Paulo's football pals like Douglas Costa, Claudio Marchisio and Nicolas Tagliafico have been impressed with his musical ability and even commented on the video.

Paulo and Oriana, the niece of Argentine tennis legend Gabriela Sabatini, first met in 2017 but announced their relationship only after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

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A new computer program was found to identify the dancer with astounding accuracy, revealed a recent discovery. Studying how people move to music

Kriti Kharbanda, who hogged the limelight with Yash's Googly, has shared a video showing her pole dancing skills on Instagram.

Strictly Come Dancing stars Oti and Motsi Mabuse dazzled on stage at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night.

Dancing on Ice stunner Vanessa Bauer is dating Love Island star Jordan Hames, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.

The Love Island star has been trying her luck on E4's Celebs Go Dating. But the 27-year-old may not need to look much further after she was spotted with newly single Strictly Come Dancing pro.

Joe Swash was taken to hospital for the second time on Friday after suffering an ear injury earlier this week when he was kicked in the head with an ice skate.

It's been a scary week for the Strictly contestants after Jerry Hall's shock exit last Sunday.

It wasn’t applause Miss Bussell, 43, used to show her appreciation but a masculine gesture that involved raising her left arm, a clenched fist and her teeth.

David Haye, watch out. It looks like the boxer turned I'm A Celeb star is getting some serious competition from Louis Smith in the toned body department.

Denise Van Outen was toppled from the top spot on Strictly Come Dancing by Olympic gymnast Louis Smith on Saturday after her partner forgot their routine.

Following the disappointment of his Paso Doble the previous week and his subsequent savaging by the nasty, mean judges, his Charleston brought the house down.

He's said before that he would rather spoon with the girl than sleep with her, and it seems Louis Smith really means it.

As his popularity skyrockets on Strictly Come Dancing, BBC executives believe gymnast Louis Smith has a future as a broadcaster, writes DAN WOOTTON.

The 24-year-old singer explained the pair used to 'breakdance' together as children.

He's certainly been popular with the ladies since the Olympics, helped by his stellar performance on Strictly.

While Louis, 23, is adamant he has never made love on his sporting apparatus of choice, he has done the act in other risque places.

Olympic gymnast and partner Flavia Cacace have been rehearsing the salsa and their showdance.

He's wowed week after week with his impressive dance routines, as well as winning people over with his buff body.

Explaining his decision to shed his costume for his routine, Louis, who is currently 8/15 to win, told Heat magazine that a lack of clothing is vital to making his routine work.

He became the 2012 winner of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night, after impressing the judges and viewers with his shirtless dance routine.

Louis Smith proved himself a winner on the dancefloor after picking up the Glitterball Trophy on Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing final.

The muscular gymnast had wowed the viewers with his toned torso and made sure that he put his medal winning skills to good work.

The 23-year-old's muscular physique will no impress the Coronation Street star and please his fans.

The 23-year-old British Olympian isn't the first to reveal his hopes of foraying into the world of fashion. Jessica Ennis has also spoken out about her design ambitions.

Actress Lisa Riley put her cougar skills to the test as she tries to plant a kiss on Louis Smith during a reunion with some of her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars at London's Rose Club last night

This year's Strictly Come Dancing special sees Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Louis Smith and Rachel Stevens returns alongside Lisa Riley and Russel Grant. Bruce Forsyth will be back to present the show.

It was a night of doubles for Strictly Come Dancing when Louis Smith followed up his previous win with the Christmas trophy. Viewers also saw the return of Sir Bruce Forsyth with Tess Daly.

Lee Ryan, Melody Thornton, 34, Louis Smith, 30 and Rachel Stevens, 41, revealed why they jumped at the opportunity to take part in Rip It Up The 70s at The London Palladium.

Joe Swash believes he contracted coronavirus during the final week of Dancing On Ice.

A source has claimed that many stars have been keen to join the dancing show after their projects were delayed or cancelled by the nationwide lockdown.

Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor are just two of the hit TV shows said to be making offers to the five-time Olympic medalist

The 32-year-old is a front-runner to join the cast of upcoming 23rd season, according to People magazine.

The upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars is featuring some fierce competition as two Olympic gold medalist athletes and reality TV stars will take compete on the show.

Sam Sododeh, 59, and Barzeen Soroudi, 25, were arrested and charged with trespassing after they stormed the stage in protest against Lochte during the show's season premiere on Monday.

Shamed swimmer Ryan Lochte has publicly thanked friends and family for supporting him after his Dancing With The Stars debut was ruined by the  fracas on Monday night's show

Two men rushed the Dancing with the Stars stage in protest against disgraced Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte after he made his debut on the show with partner Cheryl Burke.

The protesters who stormed the stage of Dancing with the Stars while Olympian Ryan Lochte was performing say the swimmer is to blame for the arrest of relative, Justin McNeil, in Brazil.

Ryan Lochte and Cheryl Burke emerged from this week's Dancing With The Stars with only 24 points out of 40. The 32-year-olds were open about their travails on Extra this Friday.

The Olympics ended more than 6 weeks ago. But it seems there are people not quite ready to forget what Ryan Lochte did there. The disgraced swimmer once again faced heckles from the crowd