Strictly ban reality stars again for 2021 series despite Love Island and Gogglebox celebs begging bosses to appear
STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses have once again banned reality stars from taking part in the upcoming series – despite hordes of them begging for a place on the show.
The BBC dancing contest rarely sees someone from the likes of Towie or Gogglebox taking part and this year looks set to be no different.
A source said: “It’s no secret that Strictly had a blanket ban on fame hungry reality stars in the past, but the celebs had hoped things would ease up a bit after a few YouTubers appeared in the line-up in past years.
“The stars have been ramping up their interest ahead of the new series and while it’s still very early in the selection process, a lot of names have been dismissed already – purely because of where they started out.
“Very few reality stars have ever made it on the show, but after seeing how well Mark Wright did after it, people are really desperate for a place.
“But, bosses are sticking to their guns on this one and it’s very unlikely any of the reality lot will make the cut.”
Over the years a number of Towie stars have expressed interest in going on the show – in particular Gemma Collins and Fearne McCann but a place has never materialised.
More recently, Love Island stars have also said they want to do the show, with Amy Hart approaching bosses herself to beg for a place.
Last month Gogglebox star Tom Malone Jr said he’d love to have a go after quitting the Channel 4 programme.
In the past, judge Craig Revel Horwood has addressed the likes of Gemma Collins being on the show – describing reality stars as “low rent”.
He said: “Gemma Collins would be fun on the show but it’s not very often that we have reality stars take to the ballroom.
“We generally have people of a higher calibre than that.”
Strictly bosses do however have a wishlist and we previously revealed they are keen to sign up rebel BBC weatherman Tomasz Schafernaker after he became one of the stars of lockdown.
Tomasz could face ITV Good Morning Britain forecasters Laura Tobin, 39, and Alex Beresford, 40, when Strictly returns for a 19th series this autumn.
And his isn’t the only lockdown name to be in the frame for the show.
England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, 55, is also said to be on the producers’ wish-list, along with his deputy Jonathan Van-Tam, 57.
Last week, The Sun exclusively revealed that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, 33, was also in the running to be on the show.
Line of Duty actor Gregory Piper, 23, who played bent cop PC Ryan Pilkington in the cop thriller, has also been tipped.