Another Strictly star who’s one step ahead of her rivals
THIS year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up is already said to include one experienced dancer among the celebrity amateurs – and now it seems that another accomplished performer could also take part.
Ashley Roberts, who found fame as part of girl band and dance group The Pussycat Dolls, is thought to be one of the stars who will compete for the glitter ball trophy when the show returns this autumn.
The 36- year- old American studied modern dance and has years of dancing experience, having begun performing at the age of only three.
She has even appeared on the Strictly stage before, when The Pussycat Dolls – who formed as a burlesque troupe – performed on the show in 2005.
A TV source told the Mirror: ‘Ashley is a hot favourite because of her dance experience with the Dolls as well as having trained as a dancer. Although she might not have done much ballroom or Latin,
‘Ashley trained as a dancer’
being able to pick up choreography quickly is sure to give her an edge.’
Miss Roberts has also appeared as a judge on ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
The news comes a day after former Steps star Faye Tozer was reported to have signed up for the 2018 series.
Miss Tozer, 42 – who is also well versed in learning energetic routines thanks to her pop career – has also starred in West End shows, including Singin’ In The Rain and Over The Rainbow.
According to her CV, she is trained in ballet and choreography as well as ballroom, burlesque, salsa, jazz and tap.
Last year the BBC1 programme came under fire for booking West End star Alexandra Burke and former boy band member Aston Merrygold, who both had dancing experience. Viewers also criticised the decision to sign up Debbie McGee, who trained at the Royal Ballet School.
Axed Strictly professional dancer Brendan Cole, 42, has said there should be a handicap system in place so some con- testants do not have an unfair advantage. The revelations come days after the first details of this year’s ‘celebrities’ emerged.
The name of Vick Hope, a little-known DJ on the London-based radio station Capital FM, was greeted with some puzzlement when show insiders said she had become the first to join the line-up.
The news drew criticism on Twitter. One poster wrote: ‘Sorry, I thought this was for celebrities? Never heard of her’, while another added: ‘They’ve struggled to get A-listers for ages.’
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesman said: ‘We don’t comment on speculation and the full line-up will be announced in due course.’