WILL SCHOFIELD DANCE WITH A CHA-CHA-CHAP?
PHILLIP Schofield is in talks to star on Strictly, we can reveal.
Bosses want the presenter to make history by competing in the show’s first same-sex couple — months after he came out as gay. They had last night tabled a big-money offer in a bid to get Phillip, 58, on board.
A show insider said: “Topsecret talks have been happening for a few weeks and an offer has been made.
“The hope is Phillip would dance with another man.
“If it happens it would be a beautiful and important moment both for him and for the show.”
Dancing on Ice host Phillip watched two men dance together on that show earlier this year.
At the time he called for Strictly to follow suit.
The star then opened up about his sexuality in an emotional chat on This Morning – revealing he had known he was gay for a while. The move was praised by his co-stars and fans and interest in him is at an all-time high. Strictly’s producers are prepared to break the bank – even if it means spending less on other celebrities.
BBC chiefs think getting Phillip to do it would be their best signing yet because he is one of ITV’s biggest stars.
Just two months ago it was rumoured execs want to lure Phillip away from the network with a lucrative golden handcuffs deal.
An industry source said: “Phillip is one of the jewels in ITV’s crown. Getting him to do Strictly would be a big victory for the Beeb.”
Phillip is expected to make a decision within days and Strictly’s execs are “quietly confident” he will go for it.
Producers have just weeks to finalise the celebrity line-up, with rehearsals for the new series due to kick off at the end of the summer.
It hits screens in late October and other celebs offered a spot include singer Jessie J, exEastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite, and Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing.
Representatives for Strictly and Phillip made no comment last night