It’s almost that time of year again. “Strictly Come Dancing” is due back for a fifth series next month, and the usual whisperings surrounding who will partner the professionals abound. It’s the impressive calibre of celebrities who sign up that sets the show apart from its rivals, and so the possible inclusion of “Big Brother” contestants will, I sincerely hope, prove unfounded. Fortunately it seems likely that most, if not all the professionals will be making a return to our TV screens, despite relentless working schedules. Anton Du Beke releases his first book this month, Lilia Kopylova has been working on a follow-up to Latinasize, and at least two of the female professionals are involved in the production of an official “Strictly” exercise DVD – see the news pages for details of all of these and more. Brendan Cole and Camilla Dallerup will of course be fresh from their appearance on the BBC earlier this month in the Eurovision Dance Contest, and you can read all about their decision to take part in this month’s issue. After our report last month on the popularity of the tango in Finland, the Finns took away the Eurovision title – not with a tango, but with a rumba and a freestyle paso doble. Visit www.eurovision.tv/addons/dance to find out how the other countries fared, and let us know your post-event thoughts. Next month, we’ll be featuring an exclusive interview with “Strictly Come Dancing” judge Craig Revel Horwood, plus all the latest competition reports, news, and reviews from the world of dance.

On the cover: an image from Helen Burrows' current exhibition, Skin on Skin. See page 26 for details or visit www.helenburrows.com