Strictly Come Dancing producers 'ban reality TV stars from lineup'

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 06 May 2021

Strictly Come Dancing producers will reportedly not be considering reality TV stars for the lineup this year.

Strictly Come Dancing producers are reportedly unlikely to have any reality TV stars in the lineup this year.

The BBC is notoriously picky about the celebrities it invites to be part of the show and tends not to include stars known mainly for reality TV - notable exceptions including Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing, who finished as a runner-up last year, and TOWIE's Mark Wright, who came fourth in 2014.

The likes of Gemma Collins and Love Island's Amy Hart are said to have previously asked to take part but have been rebuffed, and according to The Sun, the stance will not change this year.

"It's no secret that Strictly had a blanket ban on fame-hungry reality stars in the past, but the celebs had hoped things would ease up a bit after a few YouTubers appeared in the lineup in past years," a source told the newspaper.

"The stars have been ramping up their interest ahead of the new series and while it's still very early in the selection process, a lot of names have been dismissed already - purely because of where they started out.

"Very few reality stars have ever made it on the show, but after seeing how well Mark Wright did after it, people are really desperate for a place.

"But, bosses are sticking to their guns on this one and it's very unlikely any of the reality lot will make the cut."

Rumoured names for this year's show - due to start in September - include Chris Whitty, Westlife's Mark Feehily, Good Morning Britain weatherman Alex Beresford and Line of Duty's Vicky McClure.