It doesn’t seem like 10 minutes since Jay McGuinness walked off with the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ trophy after his victory with Aliona Vilani last year, but already BBC bosses are chewing over who should form the celebrity lineup for 2016.
If any of the names already in the frame do end up making it to the dancefloor, the new series promises to be as star-studded as any that came before.
'Downton Abbey’ star Michelle Dockery has been mentioned in despatches. The actress behind Lady Mary Crawley has the perfect deportment for the dancefloor, and the Mirror reports the 'Strictly' team are more than keen to have her, but she is already busy filming her new US TV series 'Good Behaviour'.
Another person reported to be in ‘chats’ is presenter Anna Richardson, the host of ‘Supershoppers’ and ‘Secret Eaters’. According to RadioTimes.com, she'd "love to do it". Another face we'd like to see in the competition would belong to her partner, 'Bake Off' host Sue Perkins.
TV doctor brothers Chris and Xand van Tulleken have also been mentioned, as has Tameka Empson, who plays 'EastEnders' Kim Fox-Hubbard.
The biggest name of all being mooted, arguably, is singer Anastacia. The American star, famous for hits such as 'Left Outside' and 'Sick and Tired', performed on the show last year, and, according to the Mirror, charmed the crew so much they'd be delighted to have her back, and have reportedly already asked her.
Of course, none of these have the singular appeal of Russell Grant, Anne Widdecombe and John Sergeant, who’ve previously won an army of fans during their time on the show.
Bosses will be keen for a stellar lineup, to follow last year's triumph, which saw 'Strictly' regularly trounce ITV's 'X Factor' in the ratings, particularly now Simon Cowell has unveiled his big guns of a judging panel for this year's competition.
Who do you think would be the perfect, as yet undiscovered, contestant for this year's ‘Strictly’?
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