Strictly Come Dancing legend admits rumoured star would 'elevate' BBC show
Strictly Come Dancing is due to return to screens later this year, with rumours swirling about which celebrities will be taking part in the 2025 series of the BBC show.
Excitement is mounting for Strictly Come Dancing as speculative lists of potential celebrities start to make the rounds on the internet.
Set to hit screens around September, the BBC dance extravaganza typically announces its dazzling line-up about a month prior, leaving fans eagerly anticipating confirmation of who'll be vying for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Names like Vicky Pattison, Paul C Brunson, Helen Flanagan and Ashley Cain have been tossed into the mix as possible contestants, though BBC has yet to officially confirm any participants.
Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips recently weighed in on the rumoured contenders during an episode of Good Morning Britain, as talk turned to who might grace the dance floor this season.
ITV's Susanna Reid posed a question regarding Royal connections among the hopefuls: "What do you think, the son of the Queen, Tom Parker Bowles, potentially might be part of the Strictly line-up?"
Could Tom Parker Bowles be stepping onto the Strictly dancefloor this year?
(Image: David M. Benett/for Fortnum & Mason )
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Arlene reflected: "I think, today royalty doesn't quite have the reverence that it had, so we think of Tom Parker Bowles as just someone who cooks, I think, and is fabulous.
"You don't really connect him to royalty, and he'll just be on there, if he's on, working like everybody else, to try to win."
There's further Royal intrigue as Susanna shared insights suggesting support from within Buckingham Palace itself, reports Edinburgh Live.
She said:"Of course, I suppose what the producers are hoping is that she will be a family member who comes and sits in the front row with the King!"
Queen Camilla could make a royal appearance if her son competes on the BBC show
(Image: Getty Images )
Arlene enthused: "Of course! They would love it, everyone would love it. They'd come along and watch Strictly, I mean anybody who is anybody watches Strictly anyway, this will just elevate it that little bit more."
The esteemed former judge of the much-loved BBC dance show served on the panel from its inception in 2004 until her departure in 2008.
Yet she discloses that to this day, fans still approach her with compliments about her time on the programme, often mistaking her for current judge Shirley Ballas.
Arlene Phillips shared her thoughts on Tom potentially joining this year's Strictly
(Image: ITV )
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Arlene recounted an amusing mix-up, stating: "I cannot tell you how many times I'll get on an aeroplane and they say, 'Oh welcome. I love you Shirley'. No, I'm not. I was there, yeah that happens."
While viewers eagerly await, a specific date for the return of Strictly Come Dancing has not been announced but it's anticipated to hit screens come autumn.
Good Morning Britain is available to watch on ITVX.
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