Make the most of your time in lockdown with a daily dose of celebrity news and guides to the best shows. Sign up to the entertainment newsletter.
The fact of the matter is that no one really knows what is happening with Strictly Come Dancing this year.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought much of the TV industry to a standstill, and even the shows that are continuing to film are doing so with huge changes to adhere to social distancing guidelines – and quite how you’d social distance on a show that requires being in such close proximity to your partner, is anyone’s guess.
Still, despite the huge question mark hanging over the show, that hasn’t stopped tabloid reports about which stars could be signing up for Strictly, in whatever form it ends up taking this .
Here’s a quick round-up of all the rumours so far…
Jamie Laing
Jamie Laing has been rumoured for the 2020 series since last year, when he was forced to quit after injuring himself while recording the launch show. The Made In Chelsea star was then replaced by last-minute addition Kelvin Fletcher, who then went on to win the whole show.
Let’s hope for Jamie’s sake that the show is able to go ahead in some capacity this year – it’d be awful for him to have his Strictly journey cut short for the second time in a row.
Maya Jama
Former Radio 1 DJ Maya Jama is someone who’s rumoured to have been on Strictly bosses’ wishlist for some time – she even said in 2018 that she’d turned it down as she was concerned viewers wouldn’t know who she was.
In April 2020, it was reported by The Mirror that producers had made a “six-figure offer” to get Maya, and only a few weeks later, she announced she was leaving Radio 1 as future commitments meant she didn’t have time to commit to her usual weekend show.
At the time, she joked on Instagram: “Lol on it if they add a dancehall section.”
Still, we reckon she could well be one to look out for.
Myleene Klass
It’s not just us who could have sworn Myleene Klass had already done Strictly Come Dancing, right? Well, apparently she hasn’t, but it’s looking like 2020 could well be her year.
The Daily Star reported in May that Myleene was near the top of producers’ hit-list, having already made a stir on shows like I’m A Celebrity and, of course, Popstars.
And speaking of Popstars…
Nicki Chapman
Yes, that same Daily Star report also named Nicki Chapman as a potential celebrity contestant on the upcoming series.
The showbiz outlet claimed producers were keen on seeing Nicki and Myleene competing against one another, with the former having been a judge when the latter was a contestant on Popstars, eventually making it through to the winning group, Hear’Say.
Mrs Hinch
Perhaps better known under her online moniker Mrs Hinch, Sophie is the vlogger responsible for making thousands of viewers around the UK think differently about cleaning (and getting them to stock up on Zoflora, of course).
Having already attracted YouTube stars over the last two years, The Mirror reported that bosses were keen to continue the trend in 2020, with Mrs Hinch’s name cropping up as one that the BBC was especially keen on signing.
Zoe Sugg
Undoubtedly one of the most famous YouTubers in Britain – with make-up lines and books to her name, not to mention an actual Madame Tussads waxwork – Zoella is another star whose name has repeatedly been linked with a spot on the Strictly line-up.
It looks as though this is the year we could finally see her on the dance-floor, though, following in the footsteps of her brother, Joe Sugg, who made it to the final in 2018, and now hosts his own Strictly podcast.
Holly Hubert
And if the rise of YouTube vloggers as celebrities is something that makes you feel old, then allow us to introduce you to Holly Hubert. Or Holly H as she’s known to her 16.7 million TikTok followers.
The Mirror has claimed bosses are keen to sign up stars from different social media platforms in a bid to keep younger viewers interested, with the 23-year-old TikTok star among those they’re interested in.
Given her moves in the video above, we think we’re in for some real entertainment, if nothing else.
Tilly Ramsay
In keeping with the previously-mentioned social media stars, Tilly Ramsay is another name that has been mentioned as a potential Strictly signing.
A source told The Sun that Tilly was “in talks” with the BBC for this year’s series, having made a name for herself on YouTube and with her own CBBC cooking shows.
Of course, to many, she’s best known as the 18-year-old daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, and we wouldn’t fancy being the judge who had to critique Tilly’s dancing in front of her dad…
Jane Goldman
But Tilly isn’t the only one of this year’s rumoured Strictly stars with a famous connection.
Screenwriter Jane Goldman is known for penning films like Kick-Ass, various instalments in the X-Men series and Disney’s upcoming remake of The Little Mermaid.
In May, Jane – who is married to broadcaster Jonathan Ross – was tipped to be be in “advanced talks” to sign up for Strictly by the Daily Mail, but she has now denied that this is the case.
Michelle Keegan
Well, it wouldn’t be a Strictly rumours round-up without a mention for Michelle Keegan, would it?
The former Coronation Street star has literally been rumoured for Strictly every year since she quit the soap (six years ago!), and true to form, she was “tipped” for the upcoming series back in April.
However, a source has since told The Sun that she’s not interested, as she has “more pressing things in the pipeline”.
Joe Wicks
One of the true stars of lockdown, Joe Wicks has been keeping the nation fit and raising thousands for the NHS in the process.
We wouldn’t be at all surprised if he was to capitalise on his surge in popularity and sign up for one of the most-watched shows on TV, with The Sun claiming he was at the centre of a bidding war between Strictly and I’m A Celebrity.
However, The Body Coach has since confirmed to Metro that he won’t be signing up this year, pointing out that “the same rumour [has circulated] every year for three years now”.
Catherine Tate
Probably the most surprising stars on this list, sketch comedian Catherine Tate was named as one of the celebrities being eyed by Strictly bosses back in April.
The Mirror reported that because of Catherine’s existing profile in the UK, they were willing to fork out to get her on the line-up.
Strictly Come Dancing usually begins announcing celebrity signings in August, ahead of a launch show in September.