Wow – April already and there’s a great deal of Strictly news to catch up on including rumoured 2024 contestants, babies, birthdays, Big Brother and, of course, more Hair News!
It’s late arriving but here nonetheless is our news and rumour round-up for February, March and even a bit of April – enjoy!
Strictly Celebs 2024?
Recent rumours have teased some big names, though as previous Series have proved the early speculation seldom translates into the final line-up, but it’s fun to ponder.
It’s often thought the show is keen to recruit a husband-and-wife pairing so could Nicola Peltz Beckham possibly be joined by husband Brooklyn (in a Gabby and Kenny Logan style)?
After hanging up her cycling helmet, there has been some suggestion show bosses are keen to recruit Britain’s top medalling female Olympian Dame Laura Kenny, who would certainly be an exceptional signing but perhaps more realistically it seems another contender could be A Place in the Sun’s Scarlette Douglas. After her stint in the jungle in 2022, of these potential recruits, our money would be on Scarlette to be the most likely to grace the ballroom this autumn.
- Strictly Come Dancing could be next for Laura Kenny as ‘the nation loves’ Olympics legend
- A Place in The Sun’s Scarlette Douglas hints at BBC Strictly stint
** STOP PRESS **
Recent additions to the list of possible celebs include none other than Hannah Waddingham (of Ted Lasso and Game of Thrones fame), who is apparently a good friend of the du Bekes and keen to take part, though we suspect her super busy schedule could be an issue, as well as Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough who it is said would ‘jump at the chance’ to take part.
- Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham ‘in talks’ to join Strictly Come Dancing 2024 lineup
- Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough lined up for Strictly Come Dancing
We’ll be amazed and delighted if any of these early runners and riders make it to the ballroom – only time will tell!
Nikita and CBB
Strictly fans have questioned whether pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin will return to the line-up this year after his not uncontroversial appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, where his fall-out (or not, depending on what you read) with co-finalist Fern Britton made headlines. Nikita has subsequently confirmed his desire to remain on Strictly for as long as the show will have him, and we too are hoping to see him dance again in Series 22.
Ex-Judges, Old Grudges
Arlene Philips, aged 80, one of Strictly’s original judges who worked on the show between 2004 and 2008, has been speaking to The Guardian about her life in choreography, and the controversial ending to her Strictly career; finding out as she did from a radio journalist that her contract was not being renewed and she was being replaced by the younger and much less experienced Alesha Dixon.
Understandably, she describes her resentment at the way it was handled but her career has continued to flourish and includes a recent Olivier nomination for her choreography for the hit production Guys & Dolls. Strictly’s loss was musical theatre’s gain.
- Arlene Phillips at 80: on Strictly, scandal, survival – and still being a sizzling hot choreographer
Is ageism a problem for Strictly?
The MailOnline reported some concerns among female pros on the show resulting from rumours that Strictly bosses are searching for younger female pros in an effort to attract a younger audience.
Jowita is currently the youngest female dancer at 29, three years older than Nikita, the youngest male pro. The age of dancers is surely far from being the determining factor in the recruitment of new professionals, or it should be. Here at StrictlyDb we can honestly say we’ve never given this any thought. However, if the 2024 line-up brings some new, young female pro dancers, we might be proved wrong!
Training Room Controversy Continues
The Strictly news spotlight continues to shine on Giovanni – with lots of theorising about whether he will return to the show after Amanda Abbington and other former partners have raised concerns about his training methods.
Some press are reporting the BBC are backing the star who has already been offered a contract – but this has not been officially confirmed. There may not be too long to wait for confirmation of this year’s pro dancers however as last year the professional line-up was announced in April.
- Amanda Abbington ‘lining up big name lawyer’ to retrieve Giovanni Strictly rehearsal tapes from BBC
- Three past Strictly contestants ‘meet to discuss difficult time’ with pro dancer
- BBC responds as Giovanni Pernice’s Strictly future ‘revealed’ after training controversy
Anniversaries, birthdays, babies, a dancing daughter plus Ellie in Cluedo 2 and Kevin in drag
Spring is here and there’s been a flurry of news about various personal and professional milestones. Congratulations to Molly Rainford & Tyler West who recently celebrated their one-year anniversary after meeting on the show in 2022.
Tess Daly is also to be congratulated on celebrating her 55th birthday (yes, that’s right – 55 – we were surprised too!) It’s worth reminding people that 20 of those 55 years have involved Tess presenting Strictly, as she hosted the very first show with Bruce Forsyth back in 2004. An amazing achievement.
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It Takes Two presenter Fleur East announced the arrival of her baby daughter, Nova, at the end of March; Strictly alums Iwan Thomas (Series 13 2015) and Karim Zeroual (Series 17 2019) both also welcomed little ones, and Amy Dowden revealed she has frozen five embryos in the hope of a future baby with husband Ben Jones after her cancer left her unable to conceive naturally.
- Singer and TV presenter Fleur East announces birth of first child
- Strictly star, 50, quietly welcomed child without anyone realising
- Strictly’s Karim Zeroual welcomes first baby
- Strictly’s Amy Dowden reveals she created five embryos with husband Ben Jones
In other family news, in March Nadiya revealed her daughter is dancing in her mum’s footsteps as she regularly competes in dance competitions; could daughter Mila be a future Strictly star? One to watch…
After winning the Glitterball with Vito in 2023 and enjoying the Strictly Live Tour, Ellie Leach is now playing Miss Scarlett in the touring production of ‘Cluedo 2’ but has confessed that she herself has never played the board game (which is unbelievable to children of the 70s and 80s like us!).
Meanwhile, Kevin Clifton has joined the cast of ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ as Hugo/Loco Chanelle and looks both fantastic and unrecognisable in released photos; here’s hoping both can break a leg in their exciting new ventures.
Another 2023 alum, Bobby Brazier has joined lots of other celebrities who have signed up to this year’s Soccer Aid. He will be playing on the England team alongside Robbie Williams, Paddy McGuiness and Erin Doherty against the World XI with the likes of Roman Kemp and Usain Bolt, all helping raise essential funds for UNICEF. The event takes place on Sunday 9th June at Stamford Bridge with tickets available here.
On a Sad Note
Following on from February’s very sad news about Robin Windsor, Hairy Bikers TV Presenter Dave Myers also passed away recently on February 28th aged 66. Loads of tributes from his friends and fans followed the news of his passing, with many Strictly family members recalling fond times when Dave competed with Karen on Series 11 back in 2013.
In memory of Dave, who committed to every dance and got Head Judge Len Goodman’s backing for the fun he brought to the show, here is our favourite of his Strictly routines – a ‘Love Week’ Paso with Karen to Meatloaf’s “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)”.
Hair News
No StrictlyDB news and rumour round-up is complete without a check-in on all the recent hair-related news, and there’s no shortage of updates this time around.
Firstly, as well as a new role on stage, ex-pro Kevin has revealed a new coiffure, which sees him dubbed the ‘silver fox’ and is certainly a more distinguished look.
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Dianne is never far from a good hair story either – recently revealing a new look encompassing darker ‘dragged out’ roots which contrast with her usual vibrant red; though it sounds like a cross between a medieval torture method and a gardening technique, there’s no denying it’s a great look that builds on her trademark tresses.
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Last but never least is Amy – who unveiled her new peroxide look in March. We love her short, blonde crop and it’s brilliant to see Amy looking so well and happy and great to end our whistlestop tour of all the recent Strictly gossip on such a positive note.
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Thanks so much for reading – see you all next time!
Photo Credits
Hannah Waddingham (Wikipedia)
Laura Kenny (CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
Nikita Kuzmin (CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=146512364)
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