‘Strictly Come Dancing’ head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed the reason why she wouldn’t want to see Victoria Beckham taking part on the BBC show.
Many ‘Strictly’ fans have bemoaned the lack of big names who have signed up for this year’s series - but Shirley isn’t having any of it, and thinks lesser-known stars are more interesting than a big name like the former Spice Girl.
She told The Sun: “I think you couldn’t have got a better line-up than this. I think actually they’re quite brilliant, aren’t they?
“You’ve got fantastic storylines behind everybody. What more do you want?
“If you have huge worldwide names you already know the story. If you put Victoria Beckham on, you already know the story, her back story, her children, her family.
“What’s nice about the British public is that they will grow with these people.”
Shirley also defended her position on the panel after fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood claimed Shirley’s lack of TV experience meant she had done “absolutely nothing” to earn it.
She said: “I love Craig but I would say about myself that I have been in this industry since I was seven.
“I’ve worked my way up as a single woman for most part of that to the very top as a female ballroom and Latin- specific world-renowned coach, so it’s not just about going on to a show you know and not knowing your stuff. I know my stuff.”
The brand new series of ‘Strictly’ kicks off on BBC One tonight at 6.15pm.
This year’s ‘Strictly’ stars are...
Katie Piper - Presenter and campaigner
Faye Tozer - Steps singer
Danny John-Jules - actor
Vick Hope - Capital Radio presenter
Graeme Swann - Cricketer
Dr Ranj - TV doctor
Joe Sugg - YouTube star
Stacey Dooley - Documentary presenter
Kate Silverton - BBC Newsreader
Sean Walsh - Comedian
Ashley Roberts - Pussycat Dolls star
Lee Ryan - Blue singer
Lauren Steadman - Paralympian
Susannah Constantine - Presenter and fashion writer
Charles Venn - Actor
