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Iconic British Olympian in talks to join Strictly Come Dancing as BBC bid to clean up scandal-hit show

Iconic British Olympian in talks to join Strictly Come Dancing as BBC bid to clean up scandal-hit show

The Irish Sun4 hours ago

OLYMPICS running legend Sir Mo Farah is in talks to appear on this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
BBC chiefs are courting his team in a bid to restore the scandal-hit show's family-friendly image, it is understood.
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Olympic running legend Sir Mo Farah is in talks to appear on this year's Strictly Come Dancing
Credit: PA
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The show's reputation took a hit in 2023 when actress Amanda Abbington alleged she was bullied by her pro partner Giovanni Pernice
Credit: Louis Wood
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Giovanni denied the claims
Credit: Getty
Its reputation was dented when actress
Team GB hero Sir Mo, 42, however, is seen by BBC bosses as a 'genuine national treasure' whose squeaky-clean image and profile would be popular with viewers and rebuild trust.
A source said: '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.'
READ MORE TV NEWS
Sir Mo won 5,000 and 10,000m golds at the London and Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2012 and 2016.
He came fifth in
Asked if he would consider Strictly, Somalia-born Sir Mo replied: 'Hopefully, when the time is right,' before joking he had 'two left feet'.
He would not say if he had had an approach.
Most read in News TV
A BBC spokeswoman declined to comment.
My Strictly ordeal with Giovanni was so toxic I was relieved when cancer scare meant I could quit, says Amanda Abbington
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Movie star Tyler Perry sued for sexual assault and harassment by actor Derek Dixon – star on his own show The Oval
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The Irish Sun

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  • The Irish Sun

Movie star Tyler Perry sued for sexual assault and harassment by actor Derek Dixon – star on his own show The Oval

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How romps and same-sex snogs lured Brits to Love Island USA – as reason why UK stars are letting down fans exposed

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And questions were raised about whether producers did enough to prepare and protect stars for reality TV fame following the suicides of former contestants Obviously, it was vital that the show upped its duty of care, and ITV should be commended for prioritising contestants' welfare at all costs. There is now a two-drink maximum and off days, where the contestants have a break from filming. All contestants also see their social media paused while appearing on the show, but that means there simply is not the same engagement with fans and viewers can feel a tad removed from the action. What's more, ten years since the first season aired, would-be contestants know what a meal ticket this is. Sure, some people go in for love, but more go for the brand deals and the reality TV opportunities that beckon. 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Another weighed in: 'There's barely any diversity in the UK cast in regards to personality. 'Most of the girls are not problematic and don't have huge personalities and the boys are also pretty predictable. Whereas there was soooo much diversity in personality in the USA cast and a lot of big personalities.' Funnily enough, while we have Toni importing a bit of Americanism into the Majorcan villa, over in Fiji they have had their own Brummie boy in the form of The 27-year-old, who is originally from Birmingham, was a popular addition to the villa, before being eliminated earlier this week. As things stand, it is too early to write off this year's homegrown offering for good. Producers are certainly pulling out all the stops to make things as must-watch as possible. But the way things are going, it looks like viewers will be wishing this series away, and anticipating the day that this year's Love Island USA finally lands on ITVX. In the meantime, we have social media keeping us up to date with all the breasts, bums and bonking being exposed in Fiji. And despite still watching the UK series, we are not putting all our eggs in one basket. Additional reporting: TERESA ROCA 10 Stunner Cierra Ortega is bringing in the viewers Credit: Getty Meanwhile in our villa... 10 Harry and Helena headed off to Hideaway Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 10 Dejon with Meg Credit: ITV 10 Dejon with Malisha Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 10 Toni, who is from Connecticut, wants to date a British guy Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

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