Strictly Come Dancing 'in early talks' to sign up Sir Mo Farah for 2025 series
Strictly Come Dancing 'in early talks' to sign up Sir Mo Farah for 2025 series
Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly in talks with an Olympic legend to appear on the next series of the show to help move on from the series of scandals
Sir Mo Farah is said to be in discussions to join the cast of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing
(Image:)
Sir Mo Farah is said to be in discussions to join the cast of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing aiming to revitalise the show after a spate of controversies.
The dance contest has been marred by a number of scandals, including Amanda Abbington's allegations of bullying against her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice in 2023.
Amanda levelled several accusations regarding bullying behaviour, leading Giovanni to step back from the limelight following the uproar.
Nevertheless, he triumphed in the Italian version of Strictly and has since returned to the UK to embark on various dance endeavours.
Concurrently, Graziano Di Prima found himself dropped from the programme. Over the summer, there were reports that the Italian dancer had physically assaulted Zara, aged 27, which he vehemently refutes.
Bosses "would love" to sign up Mo but the talks are at a "very early stage"
(Image: Ben Gurr -)
Article continues below
He conceded that his "intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime."
In another recent development, Wynne Evans was removed from the Strictly live tour due to his conduct, reports the Mirror.
Wynne recently appeared on This Morning to discuss the string of scandals he faced while participating in the BBC series, confessing that the relentless negative media coverage had a profound impact on his mental well-being.
"It took me into the darkest spot of my life. When the headlines keep coming and coming and coming, when something gets picked up and it just doesn't stop," he shared.
"I was at my lowest ebb, I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't been surrounded by people.
Wynne Evans was removed from the Strictly live tour due to his conduct
"At one point, one the newspapers was so relentless, I remember saying to my girlfriend, 'I have to kill myself. I have to because this is what they want,'" he recounted, visibly emotional.
"You're full of these thoughts the entire time and it takes over your life," he shared with the presenters.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Strictly Come Dancing producers are keen to sign Sir Mo Farah for the show as he's considered a "genuine national treasure".
Article continues below
An insider told The Sun: "His personality would provide the perfect tonic to the toxicity that's overshadowed Strictly. Bosses would love to sign him up but the talks are at a very early stage."
The BBC has been approached for a comment.
Strictly Come Dancing is due to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Pregnant Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing appear to have a tense exchange as they step out at the BBC Radio 1 studios amid co-presenting duties
Pregnant Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing appeared to have a tense exchange as they stepped out together in London on Wednesday morning. The former Made In Chelsea stars, 30 and 36 respectively, were seen near the BBC Radio 1 studios amid their current co-hosting duties. Sophie is now joining husband Jamie on the show after his usual drivetime co-star Vick Hope left on maternity leave. While out and about Sophie showed off her toned and tanned legs in a black skirt which she teamed with a blue cardigan. Meanwhile Jamie cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and dark trousers which he wore with a cap. And it appeared they were having a serious discussion as Jamie looked strained while Sophie seemed rather downcast on the outing. It comes after Sophie revealed earlier this week on her and Jamie's newly named podcast NearlyParents, that she has struggled with some aspects of her pregnancy. She confessed that when her second trimester hit, she felt like she was 'dying' and was dealing with a lot of hormones that made her frequently feel irritated. 'This girl has gone from a bit of a b***h to don't come near me,' she quipped. 'Up until week eight, I was smooth sailing. No good aversions, no sickness, so much energy, I was like what is every talking about this is unbelievable. 'Week eight hit and everyone's starting to grate to me a bit. Like that man sat next to me on the plane breathing, like is it illegal if I punch him in the face? 'If you're a fan of the podcast, I love you so much but you're not going to like me if you meet me at the moment.' Jamie said he struggled to get his head around Sophie's mood changes with pregnancy, recalling: 'I asked Sophie if she had any cravings and she said, ''No, the only craving I have is hating you''. 'I then spent an evening on Reddit looking at 'Why does your wife hate her husband so much when they're pregnant'. He went on: 'Sophie is teaching me to drive and I'm a little bit nervous in the car and she goes 'You're a s**t driver'. I'm literally in my head going 'Oh my god she hasn't eaten this is really scary'. 'Sophie then gets so angry she says to me 'I'm so angry I want to drive us both into the back of this car and kill us'. And then she started crying!' Sophie confessed that the 'anger is uncontrollable' but that it 'was very fleeting' as she lamented how her 'enormous t*ts' also meant she couldn't fit in any of her clothes. Jamie candidly told listeners how he owed her a real apology after not taking her hormones seriously and threatening to leave her over her 'grumpiness'. Sophie said: 'Jamie was like 'Oh you're just milking it, you fake all your hormones, there's no such thing'. He went 'Oh you're just faking all of this.' I was like 'Oh my god' as I'm lying there with my enormous t*ts out and I can't fit into a single thing.' Recalling the incident in question, she went on: 'We are leaving and I feel really sick this day and Jamie gets his camera out and goes 'I'm going to vlog today'. Like on my Sunday that I'm about to vomit all day long. 'And what happened was Jamie sits down and he goes 'I'm going to call my friends and ask them what I should do about this. Because I'm going to have to leave you. I'm going to leave you because you're just so unbearable right now.'' Jokingly pretending to break down in tears, she shared: 'And I went 'You're going to leave me and I'm pregnant'.' In defence of his actions, Jamie quickly added: 'The amount of people who are going to call me an a*****e. Just a caveat to add - I had no idea the emotional journey that you go on, how your body changes. 'I just didn't understand the extreme things that go on and since having read stuff on Instagram, I am awe of what you go through. The hormone change is wild.' Showing their Chelsea roots, the couple also revealed that Sophie's worst craving so far was for caviar, recounting how they had dashed around London trying to find a shop that was open at 8pm. Jamie explained they eventually found a caviar store only to discover a single pot cost £240, as he declared: 'I was like 'Well that craving has to stop there and then'. Sophie revealed that after some Googling, she learned it is recommended that pregnant people avoid the expensive delicacy due to the risks of bacteria and mercury. However, she confessed that the risks were the only thing that stopped her from eating it, otherwise, she would not have allowed the hefty price tag to put her off.
Scottish Sun
44 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
This Morning's Cat Deeley reveals her REAL name as she's reunited with her old teacher live on air
THIS Morning's Cat Deeley has stunned fans by revealing her real name live on air. Cat, 48, made the confession as she was reunited with her old teacher in celebration of Thank A Teacher Day. Advertisement 6 Cat Deeley's real name has been revealed Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 It came as she reunited with her former teacher Credit: ITV 6 Cat was delighted to see Mrs Cotterill Credit: ITV Cat and her co-star Ben Shephard had been hearing children talk about their teachers at a primary school in Surrey when she was given the surprise. Mrs Cotterill, Cat's own primary school teacher, suddenly appeared via video link - and she referred to Cat by her real name. Addressing the star, she said: "Her name is Katie." Ben said to Mrs Cotterill: "Because you of course know her as Katie." Advertisement Cat went on to explain that her real name is Catherine, but that she was called Katie when she was growing up. "Well my real name is Catherine but my grandad always used to call me Katie and my mum and dad and stuff," she said. "Unless I was in trouble, then I was sometimes Catherine!" Cat was delighted to see her former teacher and she was given a glowing report by Mrs Cotterill. Advertisement The teacher, who is from Birmingham, said of Cat at school: "She was very enthusiastic, a very kind child. Always wanting to help, always wanting to be involved, just actually, an all round super person." Cat grew up in Birmingham and attended Grove Vale Junior School, followed by Dartmouth High School. Watch the moment Cat Deeley leaves Hollywood superstar Ben Stiller stunned live on This Morning When she was 14, she reached the national finals of a modelling competition with BBC programme The Clothes Show. She was signed by a model agency and it was then that her name was changed to 'Cat'. Advertisement Bosses at the model agency decided it would be easier to give her a nickname when it came to clients rebooking her. Cat later moved into television, landing a spot on popular kids' show SMTV: Live alongside Ant and Dec. She went on to become one of a few UK stars to crack America after bagging the job of host on So You Think You Can Dance?. In 2023, Cat was brought in as a guest presenter on This Morning following the departure of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Advertisement Cat - who has two children with her Irish TV star husband Patrick Kielty - was later made the ITV show's permanent host alongside Ben. 6 Cat's first major TV role came alongside Ant and Dec on SM:TV Credit: PA:Press Association 6 Cat met King Charles in 2002 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 6 Cat later hosted So You Think You Can Dance? in the US Credit: TOM GRISCOM
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Race Across The World copycat show launching this year promising 'high stakes' and 'spectacular gameplay'
A Race Across The World copycat show is launching later this year, promising 'high stakes' and 'spectacular gameplay'. Destination X, presented by Gavin and Stacey's Rob Brydon, sees contestants dropped off at a random location - and they have to work out where. Set to air on the BBC, it is strikingly similar to the broadcaster's beloved programme Race Across The World, which has run to five series so far since it started in 2019. The competition sees pairs of travellers compete to traverse a cross-continental route without smartphones, air travel, the internet or credit cards - and on a limited budget. The latest series ended last week, with mother and son duo Caroline and Tom narrowly claiming victory and taking home the £20,000 cash prize. But with the trailer for Destination X airing after the finale episode, as filming has already taken place, Race Across The World fans will soon get their next fix of travel contests. Set to air on the BBC, it is strikingly similar to the broadcaster's beloved programme Race Across The World (pictured, the contestants on the latest series), which has run to five series so far since it started in 2019 Based on a Belgian series, after a US version also came out earlier this year, the new programme will see participants travel on a blacked-out bus to an unknown location. They will take on challenges and games during their journey, which will provide clues as to where they are - and a couple of red herrings to keep them guessing. But at the end of each episode, the contestant who places an X on the map the furthest away from their actual destination will be kicked off the bus and sent home. The first player to reach the final mystery place, the titular Destination X, will be crowned the winner. It is not known exactly yet what their prize will be - but the recent American version offered an eye-watering jackpot of $250,000 (around £184,000). The BBC's synopsis for Destination X reads: 'Merging fantasy with reality in this larger-than-life adventure competition series, viewers will follow contestants as they embark on the road trip of a lifetime but have no idea where they are... 'With high stakes and mind-blowing spectacular gameplay, the series will continuously keep viewers engaged and take them along for the ride.' Host Rob, 59, best known as Bryn West on Gavin and Stacey, leapt straight into filming in October last year, just a week after wrapping on filming for the Christmas special of the classic BBC sitcom. A TV source told The Sun at the time: 'Destination X is going to be massive for the BBC and they wanted a familiar face to take it on. 'Rob is very well liked and is incredibly funny, so he seemed the ideal candidate to present the show. 'Filming begins in the mystery location this week.' The BBC has reportedly invested £20million on the travel show and is hoping the series will be 'better than The Traitors'. Involving similar strategy and scheming, it is sure to be a hit with fans of the beloved BBC reality show, which started in 2022 and has since spawned multiple international versions. In fact, Destination X was quietly commissioned back in April 2023, as a joint effort between the BBC and American channel NBC after both hit the jackpot with their respective Traitors programmes. BBC director of unscripted Kate Phillips said in 2023: 'Following the must-see success of The Traitors, I'm delighted that once again we're partnering with NBCUniversal on another very smart, very addictive and very innovative competition show. 'With countless red herrings and brain-teasing clues, we were gripped from the start. 'It promises to be a hugely challenging adventure for our ten brave contestants, with plenty of play along for all BBC viewers, as everyone hopes they've got the "X" that marks the spot!' The broadcaster has thrown all its might behind the new programme, by appointing well-liked Rob as host. The presenter of BBC comedy panel show Would I Lie To You? said: 'How could I turn down the opportunity to become the mastermind of Destination X, the thrilling new travel adventure series coming to the BBC next year? 'It's a show that turns the whole of Europe into a board game - manipulating the players and the audience at home along the way. 'I can't wait to be the puppet master orchestrating every twist and turn as our contestants are taken on a journey where everything is not as it seems. 'It's going to be a wild ride!' It comes after mother and son Caroline, 61, and Tom, 21, took the crown on the latest series of Race Across The World. The fifth series saw the travellers take on an almost 9,000-mile route from the Great Wall Of China, through Nepal, to the southern tip of India, with a budget of just over £1,000 per person. The pair narrowly claimed victory, taking home the £20,000 prize, with sisters Elizabeth and Letitia only 19 minutes behind them. And after the programme aired, Caroline spoke out about the secret battles their epic 51-day journey helped her overcome. Caroline and Tom spoke extensively on the show about the mother claiming - and her son accepting - her identity beyond being a housewife and parent. But she told Metro she had been facing another challenge behind the scenes too: 'We'd just downsized the house which I really struggled with. 'I didn't have a horse anymore and we had our dog put down. 'Tom was becoming more independent and I thought, "I don't know what life is going to offer me now". 'Luckily, Race Across The World came at the right time.' She took the loss of her horse so hard because it has emerged since her time on the show that Caroline is a successful eventer. The Race Across The World winner loves to take part in the equestrian event, which sees competitors take on dressage, cross-country and show jumping. And since finishing the BBC competition show, she got her horse back and made a successful return to the sport: 'I have a much more positive attitude now. 'I still spend a lot of time outside with my animals but I'm not as frightened of being lonely.'
