Over the past 25 years, we’ve seen Davina front a variety of different TV projects, from reality TV to factual shows and even her own talk show, but the one role we’ve not seen her in is that of a contestant.
When The Huffington Post UK caught up with Davina about her new show ‘This Time Next Year’, we couldn’t help but ask her if that could be about to change, but she admitted that an appearance on ‘Strictly’ would be too much disruption for her family.
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Davina McCall
ITV
She told us: “I’d love to do ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, I really really would. But the fact is, it’s training all week, and working all weekend, and even if I wasn’t in it for very long, I’d still be working weekends for three or four weeks. And actually... that would be really hard on my family.
“I think for anyone with young kids it’s really, really difficult. It’s too much time away. And I work hard, but I do get my weekends, and I really value those. So no.”
When we asked if she’d ever be willing to change her mind, she suggested: “When they’ve all left home. So… eight years. If ‘Strictly’ is still going in eight years, I’ll do it.”
That 2024 Glitterball is Davina’s to snatch…
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Davina on the set of 'This Time Next Year'
ITV
Davina also told us about her new show ‘This Time Next Year’, in which participants set themselves a personal challenge to achieve in the space of 12 months, and praised the bravery of those who came back and admitted things hadn’t gone their way.
She said: “I’m always rather in awe of people that will come back and tell me what went wrong because that’s hard, and it’s especially hard when they’re in a green room surrounded by people who it went right for.
“But it’s very brave, and it’s true life. And in life, stuff happens and people have family disasters, and a crisis of confidence, and there’s a million reasons we don’t achieve what we say we’re going to achieve.
“And what I always try and do, as I try to do in everything in life - which is supremely annoying to my husband - I always try and put a positive spin on it.
“From their mistakes, somebody else could learn a lesson, or somebody else who’s also struggling can go, ‘oh thank God someone else is struggling, I’m finding it really hard too’.”
‘This Time Next Year’ airs continues on Wednesday night at 8pm on ITV.
15 Dream 'Strictly Come Dancing' Celebs
Danny Dyer(01 of15)
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Seeing Danny Dyer taking his trotters for a Jack Plance is exactly what TV was made for, and whilst it might seem unlikely he'd ever sign up, don't forget he once said he'd "never" do 'EastEnders'... (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
Nigella Lawson(02 of15)
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Nigella loves anything decadent and extra, and with 'Strictly' being the most decadent and extra show on TV, quite why she hasn't signed up yet is a mystery to us. (credit:Lou Rocco via Getty Images)
Courtney Act / Shane Janek(03 of15)
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Bosses may not be keen on casting former reality TV stars, but they should probably make an exception for 'Drag Race' alum and 'Celebrity Big Brother' winner Courtney, who would bring some drag queen glam to the often binary world of ballroom. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Idris Elba(04 of15)
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He may be busy having a huge Hollywood career, but wouldn't it be great to see Idris back on home turf? Plus, just look at how smooth he'd look in ballroom top and tails. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Stacey Solomon(05 of15)
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When it was teased one of the 2018 contestants would be revealed on 'Loose Women', many fans predicted it would be panellist Stacey Solomon getting her dancing shoes on. And as much as we're excited to see Lee, Stacey would have been a brilliant booking. (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Richard Madeley(06 of15)
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Just imagine Richard and Craig Revel Horwood clashing. TV gold. (credit:Anthony Harvey via Getty Images)
Gemma Collins(07 of15)
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The 'TOWIE' star was holding out for a spot on the 2018 line-up by way of compensation from the BBC, following *that* on-stage fall at the Radio 1 Teen Awards. And while bosses probably didn't want to give in to her diva demands, just think of all the meme-able content she would have served up. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Nadiya Hussain(08 of15)
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Snapping up the most popular winner of what was once the BBC's most popular show is a no brainer, right? (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Michelle Keegan(09 of15)
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The former 'Corrie' star has been tipped for 'Strictly' every year in recent memory, so we'd like her finally do it, even if it's just so we never have to hear a "Michelle Keegan for 'Strictly'" rumour again. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Rio Ferdinand(10 of15)
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Every series needs a sportsman, and what better man than former England captain and all-round good guy Rio Ferdinand? Given all that footwork on the pitch, we reckon he'd probably have the moves on the dancefloor too. (credit:Pierre Suu via Getty Images)
Beverley Callard(11 of15)
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From the look of this picture, the wardrobe department wouldn't even have to make any outfits for Bev - she'd be able to bring in her own frocks. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Greg James(12 of15)
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Having taken over as the host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Greg has just earned a whole new following. And what better way to capitalise on that than by doing 'Strictly'? (credit:Neil Mockford via Getty Images)
Alan Carr(13 of15)
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Far be from us to suggest Alan would not be the most talented of dancers, but he'd be guaranteed to bring the laughs. (credit:Tim P. Whitby via Getty Images)
Sara Cox(14 of15)
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The Radio 2 DJ was robbed of a full run as a contestant when she took part in the 2013 Christmas special, if you ask us. (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
Paddy McGuinness(15 of15)
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Let the dance see the floor! (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)