'Strictly Come Dancing' 2014: Bosses Ditch 'Old Duffer' Contestants From This Year's Line-Up?
'Strictly' Bosses Ban 'Old Duffers'?
The Huffington Post UK
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ casting agents are reportedly under pressure from BBC bosses to ditch older contestants from this year’s series, because they are “weak links” and a “waste of time”.
The alleged new measure will make sure that this year’s contest will be more competitive from the get go, after older contestants who’ve taken part in previous series - including Edwina Curry, Paul Daniels and Tony Jacklin - have all been eliminated early on in the competition.
“The critical detail now will be that each star on the dancefloor has a chance of actually winning the show.”
“It’s not hard to see a pattern. The thinking is that if there are no weak links in the line-up, it will make it more entertaining.”
This isn’t the first time that ‘Strictly has been involved in a controversial ‘age’ debate, after judge Arlene Phillips was shafted from the panel in 2009, only to be replaced by Alesha Dixon, who is over 30 years her junior.
This led some critics to accuse the BBC of ‘ageism’, particularly towards women, which they vehemently denied.
Meanwhile, one young star who has announced that she will be taking part in this year’s series is The Saturdays singer Frankie Sandford, who confirmed rumours that she'd be among the stars in this year's line-up during an interview on ‘BBC Breakfast’ on Wednesday morning, admitting she “can’t wait to get started”.
Former ‘TOWIE’ star Mark Wright has also told OK! that he has been in “chats” with producers, but no final decision has been reached about whether or not he’ll be throwing on his dancing shoes when 'Strictly' returns to screens later this year.
'Strictly Come Dancing' 2014: Rumoured Contestants
(01 of16)
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Sharon Osbourne's son Jack has revealed that he reckons his mum would be fab on the show. "Mum’s a great dancer. She trained at the same place a lot of professional dancers on the shows studied," he told The Sun. "She’s got close to doing 'Strictly' before but has been too busy." (credit:PA)
(02 of16)
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Mark Wright has already revealed that he "has some interest" in getting his dancing shoes on for the show... (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of16)
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... But fianceé Michelle Keegan won't be joining him. "Michelle is a fan of 'Strictly Come Dancing' however there are no plans for her to join the show, she will be concentrating on her acting career in 2014," a spokesperson told MailOnline. (credit:PA)
(04 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Alison Hammond (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(05 of16)
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Reports suggest Caroline Flack could get revenge on ITV - who ditched her from the 'Xtra Factor' line-up - by signing up for the BBC's rival show. (credit:Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP /Invision/AP)
(06 of16)
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'Masterchef' judge Gregg apparently thinks going on 'Strictly' will make him more popular with TV viewers. According to reports, he's even been having some his tattoos removed so he looks better in the sparkly costumes too... (credit:Stuart Wilson via Getty Images)
(07 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Judy Murray. (credit:PA)
(08 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Thom Evans (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
(09 of16)
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Helen Flanagan's no stranger to reality TV, but at least a stint on 'Strictly' won't require her to chow down on any jungle creepy-crawlies. The actress has previously spoken about her desire to appear on the show, saying: “I’d like to learn a new skill, so 'Strictly Come Dancing' would be good." (credit:PA)
(10 of16)
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Radio 1 DJ Greg James could inspire more youngsters to tune into the show. (credit:Jon Furniss/Invision/AP)
(11 of16)
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James 'Arg' Argent is yet another 'TOWIE' star who wants to get his dancing shoes on. Arg hasn't signed on the dotted line yet, but does reckon "he's in their [the boss's] thoughts". If you say so, James... (credit:PA)
(12 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Frankie Sandford (credit:Neil P. Mockford via Getty Images)
(13 of16)
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Judge Darcey Bussell has revealed that Sir Chris Hoy is top of the Beeb's hit list for people to sign up. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(14 of16)
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Mary Berry's lack of dancing skills mean she won't be waltzing across our TV screens any time soon. "My legs are not coordinated,” she confessed on the BBC Breakfast sofa. “I would be terrified, it would be the last thing in the world." (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of16)
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According to The Sun, Jake Wood could be swapping Walford for the waltz. (credit:Jon Furniss/Invision/AP)
(16 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Simon Webbe (credit:Jon Furniss Photography/Invision/AP)