SLEB Safari had to leave a shop recently when a sales assistant said "are you looking for something for yourself, or a gift? It is nearly Christmas" and her colleague commented that the weather made it feel like winter. Buzzkills the pair of them.
With that in mind, Sleb Safari hopes it isn't doing the same by pointing out that the new series of Strictly is only a couple of months away. Rumours about the line-up abound.
There are so many celebrity names in the hat that Strictly is either going to run for six months or 'sources' are plucking names from the air. Sleb Safari's money is on the makey-uppy option, particularly since Andy Murray is one of the names.
Other celebs being speculated about include Chris Evans, RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage and Harry Redknapp. So too is Dani Dyer, daughter of Danny Dyer, who is responsible for Sleb Safari's favourite tweet, posted to mark the anniversary of September 11: "can't believe it's been nearly 11 years since them slags smashed into the twin towers it still freaks my nut out to this day".
Vogue Williams is also in the mix. The last time Sleb Safari saw Vogue on the telly was the Channel 4 winter sports reality catastrophe The Jump. Like so many other contestants, Vogue ended up injured and needing surgery. How that show lasted for four series is a mystery.
Boyzone and Corrie's Keith Duffy plus Lee from Steps plus Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton also got a mention. If they turn out to be rubbish dancers they could form a band. Every cloud...
Cleaning obsessive Mrs Hinch is another one being talked about and you can just imagine how many themed dances they'd choreograph; Mrs Hinch in a pinny doing the jive. Mrs Hinch flicking a feather duster at Anton du Beke at the start of a charleston. Mrs Hinch foxtrotting with a mop…
Kevin Clifton says he'd love to dance with Dawn French. Dawn has yet to respond to the invitation but she should say 'yes' because she'd be ace. Huw Edwards says he's thinking about it and Alan Carr says he'd like to do it one year. Sleb Safari would love to see Alan on Strictly. It wants to hear him squeal his way through rehearsals and giggle at the rumba.
How and ever, the person Sleb Safari most wants to see on Strictly this year is Adrian Dunbar. Or, Adrian with a few Ted Hastings-isms thrown in for good measure.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph you don't expect me to wear that?" he'd say to the costume department.
To Craig: "A four? I'll give you a four".
"I have to do what with my feet? God give me strength," he'd say to his dance partner during training.
And finally, he'd repeat "We haven't been eliminated? Mother of God", incredulously and to no-one in particular, week in week out, because he'd go all the way to the final.
Come on Strictly bosses, recruit Adrian and be done with it.
Paul McCartney's It's A Wonderful Life
GOOD news for fans of Christmas staple It's A Wonderful Life with confirmation that Paul McCartney is adapting it for a stage musical.
For the three people who have never seen the film Sleb Safari offers a brief recap – George is suicidal and meets guardian angel Clarence.
It's heartwarming, life affirming and everything a Christmas classic should be. The musical should be ready by 2020, likely in time for Christmas.
Toot Your Own Trumpet
THE Emmy nominations were announced a few days ago and Game of Thrones has eight cast members up for awards. Among the nominations were Alfie Allen, Gwendoline Christie and Carice van Houten. Well done to everyone and all that.
However, after the dust settled it transpired that the three had entered themselves and paid the $225 submission fee. And each has been shortlisted in their category and are up against cast members put forward by HBO. Hat tip to the three actors for their self-belief. Let this be a life lesson to us all.
