Olympics Presenter Helen Skelton 'Wanted As Last-Minute Addition' To 'Strictly Come Dancing' Line-Up

This year's celebrity contestants have already started to be announced.

Olympics presenter Helen Skelton is reportedly being considered as a last-minute addition to this year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ line-up.

Producers have already begun announcing the celebrities confirmed to be taking part in the new series, which it’s thought will be kicking off next month.

However, after Helen has impressed viewers with her presenting skills (and, in slightly more eye-roll-worthy news, made the front pages thanks to her outfit choices), bosses are reportedly keen to get her involved.

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Helen Skelton in Rio
Clive Rose via Getty Images

Helen previously appeared as a one-off in the 2012 ‘Strictly’ Christmas special, where she danced a Jive with Artem Chigvintsev.

Check out her efforts in the video below (yes, it’s set to ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’, but if any Christmas tune is allowed in August, it’s that one):

So far, two of this year’s celebrity contestants have been announced, with more expected in the coming days.

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Helen Skelton has been covering the 2016 Olympics for the BBC
BBC

Former Labour MP Ed Balls was the first to be revealed, in a simple tweet that read simply ‘Ed Balls’, jokingly referencing the glorious moment ‘Ed Balls Day’ came to be.

This was followed on Tuesday afternoon (9 August) by the news that pop singer Will Young was also destined for the dance floor.

Tap the image below to see the full list of celebrities rumoured for this year’s ‘Strictly’...

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2016: All The Rumoured Contestants
Robert 'Judge Rinder' Rinder(01 of12)
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A rumour we're praying is true just to see him going head to head with Craig Revel Horwood every week, the daytime staple is said to be on producers' wishlists. (credit:Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images)
Cheryl Baker(02 of12)
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The only woman we think of when we hear 'Cheryl' and 'national treasure' in the same sentence, the former Bucks Fizz singer is said to have been courted by 'Strictly' for a number of years. (credit:Ross Gilmore via Getty Images)
Paul Burrell(03 of12)
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After appearing in the 'I'm A Celebrity' jungle and a house guest on 'Celebrity Big Brother', the former royal butler is now tipped to be giving 'Strictly' a try. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Angelica Bell(04 of12)
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According to a report from June, Angelica is the first celebrity 'confirmed' for the 'Strictly' line-up. However, given the show was still months away at that point, we'll have to wait and see. (credit:Anthony Harvey via Getty Images)
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes(05 of12)
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Eamonn and Ruth - pictured here in a rather swanky photo from the NTAs - were chosen specifically by Craig Revel Horwood as his picks for this year's line-up.

He says: 'Wouldn’t it be great to have a husband and wife team on the show? It would be fantastic. But they’d be very competitive - the arguments at home...'
(credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Debbie McGee(06 of12)
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Debbie has said she'd love to take part in 'Strictly' in memory of her late husband, Paul Daniels, who was also a past contestant. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Ryan Thomas(07 of12)
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The former 'Coronation Street' actor has a lot of time on his hands now he's bid farewell to the cobbles - sparking speculation he's about to follow in former co-star Georgia May Foote's footsteps (or should that be footesteps?) (no it should probably be footsteps). (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Tameka Empson(08 of12)
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Soap stars have become as integral a part as 'Strictly' as body glitter and Bruno Tonioli's exaggerated hand movements, so rumours of Tameka Empson's appearance could well have a grain of truth in them. (credit:Anthony Harvey via Getty Images)
Måns Zelmerlöw(09 of12)
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Following his successful stint hosting Eurovision in 2016 (and performing a year earlier), BBC bosses were reported to be keen for Måns to appear on 'Strictly', with a source describing him as 'very good-looking' and 'eye candy'. (credit:IBL/REX/Shutterstock)
Michaela Strachan(10 of12)
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There are always a few BBC stars thrown into the mix when the 'Strictly' line-up is announced, and 'Springwatch' host Michaela is thought to be the latest. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Michelle Dockery(11 of12)
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'Strictly' bosses are said to be 'desperate' to sign up former 'Downton Abbey' actress Michelle, particularly now she's no longer associated with ITV. (credit:Taylor Hill via Getty Images)
Charlotte Crosby(12 of12)
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Possibly hoping to ride the wave that Vicky Pattison created with her 'I'm A Celebrity' appearance, Charlotte is now hoping she can turn things around for herself with a stint on 'Strictly'.

She's even encouraged her fans to set up a petition on Twitter for the BBC to consider her for the show.
(credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

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