Next pair's chemistry must raise 10 paddles

WE'LL all be playing it, won't we, if we haven't started already? Not the “Who's leaving Strictly?” game we play each weekend — although we'll still have that as well (me, I fear for EastEnders’ Balvinder) — but the game where we try to guess who'll be the new Tess and Claudia.

- MIKE WARD Daily Express TV Critic

Because amid all the speculation, there’s one thing we can be sure of: despite their shock announcement, the future of Strictly itself is in no doubt.

Can you seriously imagine Saturday nights without it? It’s been part of our lives now for 21 years. Nine million of us still tune in, week after week. Ratings-wise, that’s amazing these days. Besides, what on earth would the BBC show instead? Twenty-two years ago this weekend, it was Celebrity Dog School. Of course, there are plenty of ready-made presenting double acts out there, including several mischievous suggestions you're bound to hear at a time like this: Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper. Kirstie and Phil. That sort of thing.