Is Strictly now running out of celebrities?
IT HAS long been a stalwart of the TV schedules and has seen almost 300 celebrity contestants take part.
But as Strictly approaches its 20th series, the Mail on Sunday can reveal that some BBC executives are concerned that there are no longer enough big names available to compete for the glitterball.
As comedian Jayde Adams was the fifth competitor to be unveiled for this year’s series, even Radio 5 DJ and former Strictly star Scott Mills shared his worries – telling his listeners he now thinks they should start putting on former contestants.
The announcement about Ms
Adams yesterday morning came just a day after it was revealed that Radio 2 travel reporter Richie Anderson is in this year’s line-up.
A source at the BBC said: ‘Taking part on Strictly is a dream for so many celebrities, but so many of them have done it now. The ratings are still huge so it will keep on going – but so many big names have appeared now that you have to wonder where the rest of them are going to come from.’
Last year’s series was won by deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis. And in its first 10 years, household names such as John Sergeant, Emma Bunton and Jerry Hall took part.
Ms Adams, a comedian from
Bristol, and Mr Anderson join Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams, former soap actress Kym Marsh and actor Will Mellor as those who have been confirmed for the show so far.