It’s the show that has catapulted many barely known presenters into becoming household names.
But now Strictly Come Dancing has sparked civil war at the BBC’s CBBC channel over who wins the chance to be in this year’s series.
Strictly chiefs often take one of its stars for the competition, as well as from programmes such as EastEnders and BBC Breakfast.
But this year there have been what BBC insiders call ‘sharp elbows’ at the children’s channel over who gets to dance.
Front-runner is Blue Peter presenter Shini Muthukrishnan, 22, who joined the show in January.
Front-runner is Blue Peter presenter Shini Muthukrishnan (pictured) who joined the show in January
CBBC presenter Evie Pickerill, 32, has also been mooted for Strictly
But agents of some of her co-stars have been battling to put their clients on Strictly and are fuming at the prospect of losing out because they know how it elevates careers.
They saw how former Blue Peter host Helen Skelton’s appearance on Strictly in 2022, when she and partner Gorka Marquez were runners-up, transformed her into one of the most in-demand women in television.
CBBC presenter Evie Pickerill, 32, has also been mooted for Strictly. But a BBC source said: ‘There can really only be one from the world of CBBC so there is now a full-on battle, a war.
‘A place on Strictly for those on children’s TV is seen as the golden goose. It’s a way of getting them out of that genre of TV and turning themselves into household names.
‘Many of their agents have approached Strictly’s casting boss but have been usurped by Shini. There is a lot of anger.’
Previous CBBC hosts who went on Strictly include Rhys Stephenson and Karim Zeroual.
EastEnders actors are also keen to dance. Bosses at the soap pick their priority stars and hand the names to Strictly chiefs, who then make their decision.
Strictly has been increasingly reliant on BBC talent because of the show’s infamous ‘curse’, with stars falling for their dance partners. Many celebrities fear getting caught up in scandal.
Presenter Helen Skelton (right) appeared on Strictly in 2022
Skelton (left) and partner Gorka Marquez (right) were runners-up. The show transformed her into one of the most in-demand women in television
Last year nine contestants had links to the BBC, including EastEnders’ Bobby Brazier and Casualty actor Nigel Harman.
Many BBC stars have won since Strictly began in 2004.
They include the first victor, newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, plus Holby City actors Tom Chambers and Joe McFadden, EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and sports presenter Chris Hollins.
