A comfy seat in my favourite armchair is reserved and my toes are already beginning to twitch a little bit (if not actually twinkle) in perfect readiness for the much welcome return of one of the few tv shows i always look forward to and which never disappoints, Strictly Come Dancing.

My favourites aren't always those that i fancy the most, rather, they are the contestants who throw caution to the wind and really let themselves go, striving to become better with each performance and at the same time allowing their personalities to shine through and beguile us.

I adore seeing the girls in those sumptuous gowns and they perpetually fill me with maddening dreams of being almost as dashing as their handsome partners in their tuxedos...i can just imagine sweeping the gorgeous Karen Hardy off her feet in a midnight waltz, romancing the pretty Lilia Kopylova or succumbing to the fiery seduction of Flavia Cacace.

Oops, i've just drooled all over my keyboard.

I sincerely admire anybody who has a talent for ballroom dancing, it must be a wonderful feeling to possess such grace and elegance, such fluidity and style...mastery of the tango, particularly the Argentine tango, truly would be an amazing (and for an oaf like me, impossible) gift.

Last year, Alesha Dixon was stunning, absolutely fantastic throughout and i was very pleased to see her win, but this time around i haven't a clue who will shine through, although i must confess to being very keen on seeing Jessie Wallace, Cherie Lunghi and Rachel Stevens, dressed to kill...definately something to brighten my saturday teatime for the next few months...so good luck to them all.

alesha