Chris’ ta ta to cha cha
Star Evans pulls out of BBC offer to appear on Strictly... for second time
CHRIS Evans has pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing despite announcing that he would definitely be appearing this year.
It’s the second time he has waltzed away from the BBC series, after ditching an approach in 2015 to front Top Gear.
A source close to the 53-year-old star said: “Chris had been thinking and talking about doing Strictly but in the end it will not happen in 2019.”
His decision will be a huge headache for Strictly bosses currently planning the celebrity line-up for the series, due to start in September.
His appearance this year had seemed guaranteed because he chose to unexpectedly announce it to the public before he left the Radio 2 breakfast show in December last year.
Asked on The One Show about Strictly he told millions of viewers: “I have said ‘ Yes’. Everyone puts it off and tries to keep it a secret. No, announce it now. We’re doing it now.”
However Strictly bosses had feared a problem after Evans insisted he wanted to partner pro dancer Joanne Clifton, a favourite guest on his new Virgin Radio show. A TV insider said: “Celebrities can’t dictate who they can dance with. It doesn’t work like that.”
Evans had claimed negotiations had progressed so far he discussed his appearance with Strictly c ommis s i o n i n g editor Jo Wallace over a cup of tea.
Last April, chatting on his radio show to Joanne’s dancer brother Kevin Clifton, Evans said he already had a contract to appear on Strictly. However insiders said he has “never been forgiven” for agreeing to appear on the show four years ago, then going to Top Gear instead. The motor show flopped and Evans’ three-year deal was cut short by two-thirds,
BBC newsreader Huw Edwards is also tipped as a 2019 Strictly contestant while pro dancer Anton du Beke is rumoured as a judging panel replacement for Darcy Bussell.