Michelle Still Not Allowed To Participate

Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan has reportedly been blocked from appearing on Strictly Come Dancing by bosses at the ITV soap for the second year running.

A source told The Sun: “She would be a top signing but Corrie would not release her.”

Michelle is due to leave the soap in 2014, so perhaps she'll be available next year.

Producers Hatching A Plan?

Are Strictly producers hatching a plan to get Terri Hatcher on the show?

According to the Daily Star, producers have wanted the Desperate Housewives actress for some years, and the planets might now be in alignment  A source told the paper: “They have wanted Teri for a long time and have offered her huge sums of money to do it. Teri loves to dance so she was very excited when she first received the offer. Unfortunately she’s been too busy in the past but she’s doing everything she can to make it work this time around.”

It sounds like the BBC might be trying to recruit more big stars from the US. We've had the likes of Michelle Williams and Jerry Hall, but Terri Hatcher would eclipse both of them.

No Bake Off Dance Off

There were rumours that Strictly producers want to sign-up Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood, but he has reportedly turned it down.

Following a split from his wife, Paul now only gets to see his son on weekends, and did not want to compromise that. A source told the Daily Mirror: “Paul is putting his family first. He is determined to make time for his son, Strictly is not an option.”

Next! JB Gill...

Rumours were rife earlier in the year that one, or even two, of the JLS boys would be doing Strictly this year. But JB Gill has revealed that he won't be busting any moves.

JB, who won the 2012 Christmas special, hasn't ruled it out forever, though. He told What's On TV: "I can't do the next series of Strictly because I'm on tour with the boys, but if I was free, it's something I would have loved to have done. They did ask me to do it this year, but I couldn't. But if they ask me again next year, then yeah, absolutely, I'd consider it."

Dancing On Air?

Could Donna Air be heading to the dancefloor?

Donna, who is best known for her role as Charlie in Byker Grove, is said to be on the BBC's wish list. She is currently dating the Duchess of Cambridge's brother James Middleton.

A source told The Sun: “Strictly’s been trying to bag a contestant with royal connections for years, with Pippa Middleton top of the list. But Donna would also be a great catch.”

Next! David Harewood...

Why does everyone always seem so keen to tell the world they have turned down Strictly?*

Homeland star David Harewood took to Twitter to tell the world, tweeting: "I was asked to do a rather well known Saturday evening 'Dancing' show yesterday. I said 'No'. Strictly speaking its not for me.#spandex"

*I blame Madeley. Because I can.

Henman Gives Strictly The Backhand

Tennis bore Tim Henman has no interest in appearing on Strictly, putting to bed any rumours that he might take part.

DigitalSpy reports that Henman told journalists at a gala dinner: "I'd rather stick pins in my eyes."

Don't worry, Tim. The feeling's mutual. I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than have to watch you on the show.

Next! Sian Willaims...

Sian Willaims has been linked to Strictly since 2007, and took part in a Children In Need special in 2011, but she has admitted that she turned down the chance to take part in the full series because her children were not too keen on the skimpy outfits.

She told the Daily Mail: "When I was first asked, I was really keen to do it. My son asked me if it would involve me dressing up in a short, frilly dress and dancing sexily. I said “probably” and he said “do not do it under any circumstances”. Both my two eldest sons went to a local comprehensive school and I think they would have been teased relentlessly if I had done it. I don’t want them to be embarrassed by me so I run everything past them. I adore the show, though, and would love to be taught how to dance by professionals, but perhaps not in front of an audience of 12 million and embarrass the children."

I understand Sian's reasons, but it's a shame. She would make a great participant.

Strictly Dresses On Display

Twelve dresses from the last series of Strictly have gone on display at stately home Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire.

The dresses include Victoria Pendleton's red, white and blue paso dress, and Flavia's Charleston dress.

Woburn Abbey's general manager, Jonatham Irby, told BBC News: "They have been sending us dresses over the past few weeks to try in different rooms and check they work and they are not too dramatic or distract from the art. We hope the combination of stunning dresses with Woburn Abbey's classic art and architecture will score the exhibition a perfect 10."

The dresses will be on display until 29th September.

Next! Peter Andre...

Peter Andre has revealed that he has turned down Strictly for the past four years because it's too big a commitment, and he's not that keen on the outfits.

He told DigitalSpy: "I really like [Strictly] because I've danced for years, but it's quite a few months you have to do it... I see my future in presenting, this is what I love more than anything. I would love to do a show like Strictly one day but right now I am excited about the offers on the table from elsewhere. The other thing is that I could not see myself wearing the spandex. I could do everything else on that show, except for wearing those tight trousers. I think the outfits look great on the girls and some of the guys can pull it off, but it just doesn't suit me."