Strictly – The Latest Gossip
Who will be donning tan and sequins to twirl across our TV screens in the autumn evenings? We pick our favourites!
RUTH LANGSFORD
Pressed by Phillip Schofield back in June as to whether she would take part this year, Ruth teased viewers and certainly didn’t deny she’d be taking to the dancefloor. There’s even speculation that hubby, Eamonn, could join her now he has recovered from his hip replacement. Judge Craig Revel Horwood thinks they’d be great additions. “My dancing was better after my hip op. I think he would do rather well. Plus he’s got an attitude – well, Ruth has as well!”
RYAN THOMAS
Every year, Strictly signs up a high-profile soap star and for the new series, our money is on Ryan Thomas – having recently departed from Coronation Street after a 15-year stint, the actor is in a perfect position to dedicate the autumn months to the hours of training required to make it to the final. The fact he recently revealed the results of an intense work-out and health regime – a sculpted six-pack – means h he definitely y gets our vote!
MICHELLE DOCKERY
Now that she’s not committed to the strict Downton filming schedule, Michelle Dockery is more flexible and her name has been bandied about for all kinds of new projects… including Strictly. We’ve love to see “Lady Mary” don her 1920s gear again and take to the floor for what we’re sure would be a brilliant Charleston! The actress has previously said that she’d “quite like” to take part, saying, “I’m a da dancer so that’s my thing.”
CHERYL
Following the news that she’d quit as a judge on The X Factor, speculation has been mounting that this could be the year the pop princess could finally be persuaded to follow in her friend Kimberley Walsh’s footsteps and appear on the show. Judge Bruno Tonioli would love to see her take part. “I would like to see Cheryl on it. Why not? She is a nice girl. She would be good value. Get her and Joey Essex… can you imagine?”
EMMA WILLIS
The past few months have seen Emma’s profile rocket thanks to high-profile gigs on The Voice and What Would be Your Miracle? and it seems BBC bosses would love to have her on the show. Emma has admitted in the past that she’d love to take part but is worried about her dancing. “I would definitely love to do Strictly. The problem is I can’t dance! But the thought of forcing myself to learn how to dance and going through the process would be a great experience.”
WILL YOUNG
After finding fame on 2002’s Pop Idol, Will has enjoyed a massively successful pop career with hit singles such as Leave Right Now and Light My Fire. Known to be a perfectionist and highly competitive, he’s no shrinking violet when it comes to sticking up for himself – remember when he put Simon Cowell in his place after the “distinctly average” comment on Pop Idol? – we think there could be fireworks when it comes to his critiques from the judges!
JUDGE RINDER
How would the daytime TV judge favourite cope with being judged? Already dominating the afternoon TV slot, could Judge Rinder expand his sphere of influence into Saturday night light entertainment? Few people know that Judge Rinder actually has a stage background – he studied at the National Theatre school alongside Matt Lucas and David Walliams. Maybe he can dance, maybe he can’t, but we’d tune in to see him in a war of words with Craig!
LOUISE REDKNAPP
WAGs traditionally have a good reputation for success on the Strictly dancefloor – Abbey Clancey wowed us with her moves in 2013 and went on to win the coveted Glitterball trophy. With her dance background as part of 90s pop group Eternal, Louise certainly knows how to shimmy on stage – but has she got what it takes to win? We’re hoping the rumour mill is spot on because we’d love to see Louise dance her way to Strictly glory!