Strictly Come Dancing bosses sign Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, breaking own reality star ban
STRICTLY bosses have broken their own reality star ban — by signing up Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing.
The 30-year-old heir to the McVitie’s biscuit empire was picked despite the BBC launching a clampdown after wannabes — including ex-Towie Z-lister Sam Faiers — tried to cash in on the show’s name.
A source said: “It is a surprising U-turn from the BBC and Strictly.
“They said previously that low-rent reality stars like Jamie would not be allowed on the show but things now seem to have changed.
“There’s only so many famous faces out there so clearly they have decided enough is enough and have had to retreat a bit in order to get enough celebs for this year.”
The Sun revealed the ban last year after Towie’s Gemma Collins begged bosses for a spot on the popular show following her trap-door fall presenting the Radio 1 Teen Choice Awards.
Strictly's reality star ban was imposed after wannabes such as Sam Faiers tried to use the show's name for personal publicity
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Instead, she was given a place on Celebrity MasterChef after agreeing not to take legal action.
Toff Jamie has been on E4’s Made in Chelsea since 2011.
His great-great-grandfather was Alexander Grant, who invented the recipe for the much-loved McVitie’s digestive biscuit more than 120 years ago.
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