Second Hollyoaks Star In The Frame

According to the Daily Star On Sunday, Hollyoaks actor Sarah Jayne Dunn has been approached to take part in the show.

A source siad: "Sarah has been approached by Strictly bookers. They have had her on their wish list for a while, so they're really hoping she signs up. There isn't long before the line-up needs to be confirmed, so Sarah will need to decide soon if she's going to go for it. Sarah would make the perfect contestant. The Hollyoaks cast would all be behind her 100%."

It seems unlikely that Strictly would recruit two actors from the same show in the same year, especially two of the same gender, so either one of these stories is false, or the producers are in conversations with both but have not yet decided who to go with if they were both to accept. You never know with the tabloids. It doesn't take much for a PR to plant a story in order to raise a client's profile when it is completly false.

Jennifer Metcalfe For Strictly?

Hollyoaks actor Jennifer Metcalf could be joining this year's Strictly, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror.

A source told the newspaper: “Soap stars always do well on Strictly and Jen is one of the most loved and sexiest out there right now. Everyone working on the show is very excited at the ­prospect of her signing. She’s been at the centre of some of Hollyoaks’ biggest ever storylines over the years. Only last year, her character was shot as she spun around a dance floor. People are joking that it was like her Strictly audition when she filmed those scenes.”

Her stint on Dancing On Ice might be a better indicator of her abililty than bopping on a soap. She was eliminated third, but ice dancing is much harder for a novice than dancing on a dancefloor.

Iain Sterling For Strictly?

Could comedian Iain Sterling be heading for the dancefloor?

According to The Sun, Iain, who is the narattor of Love Island, is in talks to participate in Strictly, following in the dancesteps of his fianceé Laura Whitmore.

A source told the paper: "Iain's had a few talks with the show and the ball is in his court. It's early days but bosses are really keen to get him on the dancefloor - he's a great name who would be popular with the audience. There was some talk about whether he had a golden handcuffs deal with ITV which could scupper things but if not, he'd be a real catch for the show."

I don't have any strong feelings about this personally. I'd rather Iain than anyone who has actually participated in Love Island as a contestant, despite how good they may look in the costumes...

Shirley Ballas Expects Strictly To Return In 2020

Shirley Ballas has raised hopes that there will be a Strictly Come Dancing series in 2020.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, Shirley said: "Of course everything changes day-to-day but I have spoken to Strictly's executive producer, and I am 99 per cent sure that we will be on screens in one form or another. We all realise that when the colder months come, we need some glitz and glamour – it's like going to Hollywood or Vegas and it's something that the whole family can enjoy. It's imperative that the show goes ahead so you can bet your trolley they are doing their best to get it on."

It's difficult to see how a 'normal' Strictly series could proceed without a massive commitment on the part of everyone involved. Would the couples have to move into the same household(s) for the duration? 

Would the glam squad have to do the same, or could they get away with reglar crew tests?

The alternative would be to change the dances learnt to non-partner dances, but I'm not sure how engaging that would be for viewers. The joy of Strictly is watching the partnerships develop. And the Strictly pros are a tactile bunch.  Can you imagine them not touching their partners?

I'm sure the team will do what they can to get something on air, but if it's not the Strictly we know and love, is it worth it? No-one wants to see our favourite show devalued by social distancing.