'I'd love to do Strictly but I get rejected every year by producers'
Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker has revealed that she's signed up for Strictly Come Dancing every year, but has repeatedly been turned down by producers.
Cheryl notably won the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1981 with her Bucks Fizz co-stars, Bobby G, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston.
She now performs with bandmate Jay, alongside Nikk Mager and Matthew Pateman as The Fizz.
Speaking exclusively to Slingo, the singer opened up about her love of the hit BBC dancing competition, but she hasn't been accepted by producers yet.
"I'd love to do Strictly. I always put myself up for it every year, and they always say no, which is a great shame. I love dancing - I'm not a trained dancer, but I love dancing," she said.
(Image: Getty Images)
Cheryl is eager to delve into the world of reality TV, saying she'd also love to appear on I'm a Celebrity or Celebrity Traitors.
"I would love to go do I'm a Celebrity - I would love that. I would also love to do Traitors," she said.
"When I knew there was going to be a celebrity one, I contacted my agent and said, 'Get me on it!' When she told me that they'd already cast it, I was gutted. I can't wait to see it, but I'd do any of them.
"That's the way TV has gone. If you don't want to be on any of those shows, it really limits you to what you can do, because that's what's on TV now.
"I miss Top of the Pops - I wish they'd bring it back. All the young artists now, they've got a televisual platform to show how good they are."
(Image: Getty Images)
Country pop trio Remember Monday attempted to follow in Bucks Fizz's footsteps at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with their song, What the Hell Just Happened?
Despite landing in tenth place after the jury vote, the UK act received zero points from the public and ended up in 19th place overall - one below Olly Alexander last year.
On whether she'd return to Eurovision with The Fizz, Cheryl said: "I mean, we've got our two new guys, they're great singers and if the cameras are far enough away... I'd hate for them to do camera close ups of Jay and I, and go, 'They're getting on a bit!'
"I feel vocally we're stronger now than we have been for years, because there's four of us and the boys are tremendous but I don't think we could do Eurovision again."
She added: "We do lots of other festivals and 80s weekends. It's great fun, I love it... It's such a boost to your ego!"
Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Taylor Swift new album latest with exact time fans will hear more
Taylor Swift new album latest with exact time fans will hear more Fans are buzzing as the Eras Tour singer is returning to her glitter gel pens once again Taylor Swift (Image: 2024 TASRM and Getty Images) Taylor Swift is turning the page to a new chapter as the Eras Tour singer has revealed her 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl. She made the revelation during a surprise appearance on the New Heights podcast hosted by her boyfriend and NFL star Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce. The announcement came just after midnight on August 12 following a cryptic countdown on her website that briefly crashed under the surge of fan interest. The visual vibes for the new record seem to be centred around vivid orange and mint-green shades, with New York's Empire State Building also illuminating in orange in celebration just after the announcement. On the podcast she also revealed the album's title by opening a mint-green briefcase stamped with her initials. The actual cover art remains hidden but the style change has already sparked some speculation about a slight shift in her creative approach. Fans had already been looking for clues when she released a Spotify playlist titled And, baby, that's showbusiness for you, which included tracks produced by Max Martin and Shellback. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Swifties are already predicting that the album's sound as being 'glitter gel pen pop' which, if her previous work is anything to go by, will make it light, lively, and a huge contrast to the reflective tone of her previous release, The Tortured Poets Department, as this one seems to look almost designed to lift moods. Was the announcement date significant? It's hard to say. Fans often like to piece all of the singer's moods together with the thinking that every move is intentional and while she hasn't categorically shared why she's made the announcement, the news did come The at 12.12am on August 12 – a possible nod to it being her 12th studio album. Content cannot be displayed without consent The number theme ran through the launch from 12 orange-themed photos recently shared by her official management team, to months-old hints like standing beside a gate marked 'A12' in a 2024 video she shared on TikTok, which you can see at the beginning of the clip if you look closely. Content cannot be displayed without consent When will we hear more? Taylor is expected to share more details in the full New Heights episode, which will be released on Wednesday, August 13, at 7pm ET (midnight in the UK). Fans are anticipating that she may reveal track titles and possibly a release date during the conversation – although nothing has been confirmed and she could easily be keeping us in more suspense. Swifties will also know that Taylor has a long history of creative album announcements. Content cannot be displayed without consent In the past she's revealed records live on stage during awards shows, dropped cryptic hints in social media posts, and even hidden Easter eggs in music videos and liner notes. Some albums like folklore arrived without warning as complete surprise drops while others, such as Midnights, were teased over weeks through a drip-feed of song title reveals and elaborate promotional campaigns. This latest reveal made in a relaxed podcast setting alongside Travis definitely marks one of her most personal and conversational announcements to date. While no official release date has been confirmed pre-orders for physical editions are available now.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova 'rushed to hospital after horror fall during rehearsals'
Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova was reportedly taken to hospital on Tuesday after a horror fall during rehearsals. The star was training in north London when she was left in agony after injuring her back, with crew forced to phone an ambulance. An insider told the Mirror: 'It looked pretty nasty and no-one was taking any chances. The Strictly crew rushed into action and she was stretchered out. 'As a precaution, following a fall during rehearsals, Nadiya was taken to hospital for checks and is receiving full support from medical and welfare teams. Rehearsals continue and the Strictly team are in close contact with Nadiya.' A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told the publication: 'We were called at 12:37pm on Tuesday 12 August to reports of an incident at Regent's Park Road, NW1. We sent an ambulance crew to the scene and treated one person before taking them to hospital'. Daily Mail has contacted Nadiya's representatives and Strictly Come Dancing for comment. The star was training in north London when she was left in agony after injuring her back, with crew forced to phone an ambulance The news of Nadiya's accident comes after the sixth celebrity contestant was announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2025. YouTuber and podcaster George Clark will enter the famous ballroom when Strictly returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September. George Clarke, also known as George Clarkey, is a British YouTuber, podcaster and social media star known to millions online. Born and raised in the UK, George began experimenting with video content as a teenager, quickly discovering the power of humour and honesty to connect with people around the world. Since then he has built a thriving digital career with millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, drawn to his authenticity and sharp comedic voice. He also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast, which has proven so popular it has led to a series of live shows across the UK. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, George said: 'Never thought I'd say this… but I'm doing Strictly! Honestly, I've got no idea what I'm doing but I'm excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.' The news was revealed on BBC Radio 1's Going Home Drivetime Show this afternoon. George has built up a huge following on TikTok with an impressive 152million fans and has 679 thousand on Instagram. He is also often seen teaming up with TikToker Max Balegde as the pair host their podcast together. Hours before, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal was announced as the fifth contestant to join Strictly 2025 line-up. The actress, 46, who plays Suki Panesar on the BBC soap, was revealed as a cast member live on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday morning. Balvinder will join a Love Island winner, Doctor Who star and a footballing legend, all of whom were recently revealed as the latest three stars confirmed to take part in Strictly . Sharing her joy at being part of the show, Balvinder said: 'Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen. 'Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of. I'm far too excited to put into words how I feel but I'm incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.' Meanwhile the actress, who was speaking to GMB's Richard Arnold from the EastEnders set, told how she had 'dabbled' in dancing in the past but is unsure is she'd actually be 'any good' once on the dancefloor. She explained: 'I can't stop butterflies. Every time I think about it, they just go, so, yeah. 'I dabbled a little bit. I did ballroom and Latin as a kind of hobby, and I really love it. And I think when you've got a passion for something, you're naturally kind of inclined to enjoy it. 'So I'll definitely enjoy it. I don't know if I'll be any good!' Balvinder, who has had a successful acting career spanning theatre, radio, film and television, first joined EastEnders back in 2019. During her six years in Walford, she has been part of a number of gripping storylines including Suki's affair with now-wife Eve Unwin, being part of 'The Six' and her turbulent relationship with villainous husband Nish. Prior to stepping foot on Albert Square, Balvinder made appearances in several huge dramas including Call The Midwife, Doctors and Waterloo Road. Meanwhile, former Love Island winner Dani Dyer , 29, actress Alex Kingston, 62, and sportsman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, will also take to the dance floor this year, The One Show announced on Monday night. They follow Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who was the first star announced. Doctor Who star Alex Kingston, 62, (L) and sportsman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, (R) will also take to the dance floor this year The daughter of acting legend Danny Dyer, who wed husband Jarrod Bowen this year, shot to fame in 2018 on the ITV2 dating show when she bagged the £50,000 prize with Jack Fincham. Dani said: 'Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I've done this year! 'I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.' Doctor Who's Alex notably appeared in US drama ER from 1997 to 2005 alongside George Clooney. She also took on a recurring role in Doctor Who, playing River Song - the love interest of Matt Smith's incarnation of the Doctor and the daughter of Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill). Alex briefly reprised her role during Peter Capaldi's stint on the BBC sci-fi show and has also leant her voice to a number of audio releases in the franchise. Alex has previously spoken about her desire to sign up for Strictly, revealing she and her close friend Sarah Hadland - who competed last year - had discussed it. 'Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much we'd like to do Strictly Come Dancing,' she said in 2019. 'Then I discovered she's a trained ballet dancer. "Hang on a minute! That's not fair!" So, I can't do it on a season when she is on it!' Speaking to hosts Roman Kemp and Alex Scott about her upcoming stint, the actress teased: 'My hips don't lie.' Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex England coach said he's looking forward to the challenge. He said: 'Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I've done before but I'm looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! 'Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.' The father-of-four was a professional player with Leeds and Middlebrough for two decades before he retied in 2008. Aikines-Aryeetey, known for his alter-ego Nitro, was the first celebrity revealed to taking part in the new series, after competing on the Christmas Special last year. His involvement was revealed in a prank to CBBC Newsround viewers, after the BBC had previously said the first stars taking part would be revealed much later in the day. Flexing his reputation as a star of Gladiators: Epic Pranks, Aikines-Aryeetey, 36, appeared live in the Newsround studio disguised as 'world-famous choreographer Nicky Trott', there to talk about his recent work on a scientific study into the benefits of dancing. His disguise was not enough to fool Newsround presenter Jenny Lawrence though, who quickly rumbled who she was really talking to. Aikines-Aryeetey then gave the real reason he was there: to tell the world he's taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing! Aikines-Aryeetey is an Olympian, multi-gold-medal-winning Team GB sprinter, and star of Gladiators. As a sprinter he has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and winning the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award aged 17. Aikines-Aryeetey has gone on to win gold in the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. He has competed in two Olympic games and is a three-time European Champion and two-time Commonwealth Champion. In 2023, Aikines-Aryeetey was unveiled as Nitro in the hit BBC series Gladiators, and he took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Aikines-Aryeetey said: 'After the Christmas Special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice! I'm so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I'm ready to give it all I've got. 'I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.'
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Strictly Come Dancing star in hospital after horror during rehearsals
A Strictly Come Dancing star was taken to hospital after suffering a fall during rehearsals for the upcoming series of the BBC show. Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova was rushed to hospital following a horrific tumble during training sessions. The dancer was rehearsing in north London on Tuesday afternoon when she suffered a painful injury that left her in considerable discomfort. Paramedics were summoned over concerns about her back injury. An insider revealed: "It looked pretty nasty and no-one was taking any chances. The Strictly crew rushed into action and she was stretchered out." A source close to Strictly said: "As a precaution, following a fall during rehearsals, Nadiya was taken to hospital for checks and is receiving full support from medical and welfare teams. Rehearsals continue and the Strictly team are in close contact with Nadiya.", reports the Mirror. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 12:37pm on Tuesday 12 August to reports of an incident at Regent's Park Road, NW1. We sent an ambulance crew to the scene and treated one person before taking them to hospital". Nadiya, 35, underwent several hours of medical examinations but it's believed she has now been discharged from hospital. The incident unfolds as fresh Strictly celebrities were revealed yesterday, featuring a YouTube personality, an EastEnders star and a Love Island champion amongst the initial group of participants. Podcast presenter and YouTube personality George Clarke was confirmed as the sixth famous participant. Clarke, also known as George Clarkey, revealed: "Never thought I'd say this ... but I'm doing Strictly! Honestly, I've got no idea what I'm doing but I'm excited to get stuck in ... and potentially fall over a fair bit." This follows EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal's announcement as a contestant during a live segment from Albert Square on ITV's Good Morning Britain (GMB). She revealed that "being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen". The remaining celebrities confirmed for the competition include Love Island champion Dani Dyer, Gladiators favourite Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Doctor Who star Alex Kingston and ex-footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. During her appearance on The One Show following her announcement, Dyer, daughter of actor Danny Dyer, expressed: "It's such a fun magical show - to be asked to do it is such an honour. I just can't wait to be able to wear (the costumes) - it's going to be so much fun." Former Chelsea striker Hasselbaink commented: "I'm a father of only girls and Strictly is a part of our home life - I like the show. Let's have a go." Kingston, who cut short her Italian holiday to chat with presenters Alex Scott and Roman Kemp, quipped: "I was super excited but now I'm terrified." Aikines-Aryeetey, recognised as Nitro on the revamped Gladiators, took part in last year's Strictly Christmas Special and explained his Monday decision to return as "so nice I just had to do it twice". In July, the BBC revealed that two "incredible" new professional dancers, Alexis Warr from the US and Australian Julian Caillon, would be joining the show. Presenters Daly and Winkleman will be back, alongside judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas. Strictly is set to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this coming September.
