BBC bosses ‘in bit of a panic’ to fill Strictly dancing shoes

FOR months rumours have swirled that BBC bosses were struggling to fill places on Strictly Come Dancing – and the latest contestant preparing to grace the dance floor has claimed the deal was rather “last minute”.

Ashley Roberts, the former Pussycat Dolls singer, was announced as the latest star to sign up yesterday, but speaking on BBC Radio 2 to Chris Evans, she said: “They [the BBC] reached out kind of last minute to be honest.”

The 36-year-old added: “When I got the call I was super-excited. I’m going to throw my heart and soul into this and hope it goes well.”

However, the BBC said conversations with Roberts had been going on for a long time and that all the contestants had been confirmed for the 2018 series.

A TV source told The Sun that “bosses are in a bit of a panic” over recruiting stars, adding: “People in the Strictly team are used to a well-oiled machine, but some are raising eyebrows.”

Last night it was confirmed on the BBC’S One Show that Kate Silverton would be swapping the newsroom for the ballroom, while Seann Walsh, the comedian, would also join the show.

Rumours have swirled that stars do not want to sign up because of the “Strictly curse”, when off-screen relationships are perceived to have suffered as a result of the harsh schedules and “intimate” dance moves.

Other contestants hoping to lift the glitterball trophy are Stacey Dooley, Katie Piper and Graeme Swann.

A red-carpet event will be held later this month when the new line-up will be officially revealed. The launch show will then be taped a few days later before Strictly returns to the screen in September.