They’re Strictly Z-list
ANGER OVER ‘CELEB’ CAST
STRICTLY bosses have come under fire for the line-up of “Z-listers” on the new series.
The final two celebrities for the show were revealed yesterday – but Casualty actor Charles Venn and What Not To Wear style guru Susannah Constantine were not the huge stars fans had been hoping for.
The pair will join model Katie Piper, Steps singer Faye Tozer, Paralympian Lauren Steadman, Blue’s Lee Ryan, ex Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, comic Seann Walsh, newsreader Kate Silverton, Red Dwarf ’s Danny John Jules, DJ Vick Hope, YouTuber Joe Sugg, cricketer Graeme Swann, This Morning’s Dr Ranj Singh and presenter Stacey Dooley.
But fans were left asking: “Where are the big names?”
Some were left scratching their heads over Vick Hope, Joe Sugg, Stacey Dooley and Seann Walsh.
Comments on social media included “They’re scraping the barrel this year”, “What a rubbish line-up”, “I don’t want to see these no-marks”, “How lame” and “They’re such Z listers... was Tom Cruise busy?” Before the show announced all the names, there were rumours that the BBC was struggling to get stars.
Ashley Roberts hinted that she had only been asked at the 11th hour because others had said no.
She let slip: “They reached out kind of last minute.”
This year’s line-up was the mastermind of Strictly’s new talent booker Stefania Aleksander.
She has previously worked on getting celebrites for C4’s The Jump.
Some fans claim married or attached celebrities have turned down the chance to take part for fear of falling victim to the “curse” – which has resulted in stars falling for their dance partners.
The Voice host Emma Willis said of pop star husband Matt of Busted: “One of my good friends is always saying to me: ‘Let him do it.’ And I’m like: ‘No, he is not dancing with those fit girls’.”
Last night a BBC spokeswoman said: “Every year we create fresh and interesting line-ups with our celebrities and this year is no exception. We’re really excited about how dynamic the group is and we’re looking forward to seeing the entertaining routines they’re going to create with their partners.”
A show source said: “We get negative comments about it being ‘the worst lineup ever’ every year. And yet every year we score amazing ratings and it’s the Saturday night show everyone talks about.”
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Z-list line-up looks unlikely to be an immediate big pull with the public.
The hit BBC show’s famous curse seems to have put off big name stars in their droves.
And without A-listers to watch, previously loyal viewers could switch off.
As with other years, it may be that we learn to love “celebrities” that many of us have never heard of.
But the lack of recognisable talent could prove a huge gamble for the BBC, which seems to be more interested in pushing its news agenda than entertaining the public.
This dangerous game risks alienating the licence fee payers it relies on.
All of this is why the Beeb should put broadcasting great entertainment at the top of its agenda. That would be guaranteed to draw in the public.
And keep it supporting the underfire broadcaster in the future.