Jean Johansson has been trying ‘every year’ to get a place on Strictly Come Dancing.
The A Place in the Sun host, 42, would love the chance to showcase her moves on the BBC One and Latin and ballroom show and is sure that it will ‘bounce back’ from its current scandal.
The show has has been under fire since Giovanni Pernice was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was ‘cruel and mean’, though he denies the claims.
It was followed by Graziano Di Prima’s sacking last month over reports he verbally and physically abused Zara McDermott during rehearsals but Jean is still hopeful for the future of the show and is thrilled that her friend Dr Punam Krishna will be competing.
She told Love Sunday magazine: ‘I think it’s shown they can bounce back. There’s no doubt about it, there’s allegedly been bad behaviour but from a production point of view, it looks like they’re handling it professionally.
Jean Johansson has been trying ‘every year’ to get a place on Strictly Come Dancing to no avail
Jean is still hopeful for the future of the show amid its scandal and is thrilled that her friend Dr Punam Krishna (pictured) will be competing .
‘They’ll likely be ensuring that their duty of care is better than before. Every year my agent is on the phone trying to secure it,
‘[Punam]so smart. I think it’ll be well out of her comfort zone but all us Scots will be behind her
Scottish TV star Punam, who is known for her appearances on Morning Live, is a huge fan of Strictly and revealed she watches the show every Saturday with her family.
She said: ‘This is surreal, me and the kids sit down and watch it every week and now I’m jumping off the sofa and onto the TV.’
‘I don’t know what the kids will think but I’m sure they’ll be watching and I don’t know how this is happening to someone like me.’
She also previously attended a live Strictly show at Elstree Studios and met a number of the professional dancers and judges including Anton Du Beke.
Punam wrote in an Instagram post last year: ‘Anyone who knows me knows I love Strictly! I’ve watched every series since it started and my most favourite weekend is always the Halloween one so to have the opportunity to watch it LIVE last night was next level excitement!
Presenter Jean, 41, (pictured) is known for hosting the Channel 4 daytime show and would love a place on the show, and thinks the show will outlive its scandal
An investigation was launched after several celebrities including Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott (pictured) sparked abuse and bullying scandals on the family show
Zara released a statement after Graziano di Prima was sacked from Strictly Come Dancing over reports he verbally and physically abused her
‘It really is spectacular to watch it in the studio. Thanks to BBC Morning Live, I have had the privilege to getting to know the gorgeous pros so it was even more special getting to hand out with some of them as well as meeting legends that are Anton Du Beke’.
She is looking forward to geting advice from her Morning Live colleagues Helen Skelton and Kym Marsh who have both competed on Strictly before
The medic will be joining the likes of Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, comedian Chris McCausland and JLS star JB Gill on the dance floor.
The show will return in September and will also feature famous faces like EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, singer Toyah Willcox and Miranda star Sarah Hadland amongst a host of others.
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’
