The first ‘star’ of this year’s Strictly – a local radio DJ called Vick

SHE may have interviewed stars including Harrison Ford and Kylie Minogue, but Vick Hope is far from being a big name herself.

The local radio breakfast DJ, however, has become the first ‘celebrity’ to sign up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, according to insiders.

The largely unknown broadcaster, 28, has joined the line-up as producers work to sign up contestants before the hit BBC show returns next month.

There have been complaints that recent series have struggled to attract well-known figures, and the news about Miss Hope – who studied modern languages at Cambridge – drew criticism on Twitter. One wrote of the DJ, who hosts the Capital FM Breakfast Show and 4Music’s Trending Live: ‘Sorry, I thought this was for celebrities? Never heard of her’, while another added: ‘They’ve struggled to get A-listers for ages.’

Some stars may have shied away as the show continues to suffer the socalled ‘curse of Strictly’, which can put an end to contestants’ relationships. Louise Redknapp ended her 18-year marriage to footballer husband Jamie following her stint on the show, and rugby star Ben Cohen split from his wife before having a baby with his dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff.

Sources close to the show said ‘big names’ would appear in the line-up.