Strictly Come Dancing 'signs up Doctor Who star' as rehearsals begin
Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston has reportedly signed up to join this year's line-up of Strictly Come Dancing. According to reports, the highly acclaimed actress, 62, will join reality TV star Dani Dyer, former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan, Apprentice star Thomas Skinner and Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis.
Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah, presenter Stacey Solomon and Vicky Pattison, who made her name on the back of Geordie Shore, are also rumoured to take part. As yet the BBC have not confirmed the official celebrity line-up.
This comes after Sharon Osbourne breaks down in tears at Ozzy's funeral in heartbreaking scenes.
A TV insider told The Sun: "She's a real talent and will add a lot, it's always exciting to have a prestigious actress on the cast."
They added: "It's the first time Alex has done a reality show of any kind, but she's a huge fan of the show and couldn't resist the opportunity." The Mirror has reached out to Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
Alex became a firm favourite of Doctor Who fans after landing the role of River Song and her character was part of David Tenant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi's stints on the sci-fi show. Her TV career has spanned many years as she has starred in US medical drama ER, period dramas The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders, Arrow and A Discovery of Witches.
Alex has made no secret of her love of the show and expressed that she would love to take part, similar to that of Sarah Hadland. In 2019, Alex said: "Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much we'd like to do Strictly Come Dancing. Then I discovered she's a trained ballet dancer. 'Hang on a minute! That's not fair!' So, I can't do it on a season when she is on it!"
Another star that has signed up to the BBC show is model Ellie Goldstein who plans to change the perspective of people with Down's Syndrome. Ellie has been a model since the age of 14 years old and has made history by landing the cover of Vogue and inspiring a Barbie doll.
In an interview with Metro, she explained: "People like me lead to change slowly in the industry.' 'People need to know about me and my condition. We need more disability representation out there."
Lead judge Shirley Ballas has expressed her excitement for the return of the show this year. While on This Morning, she said: "We've got a cast, I know I say it every year, but we've got the cast of all casts. It's gonna be absolutely off the charts."
Shirley will be joined by fan favourites Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Strictly's Stacey Dooley warns 'they'll take me from you' after daughter drama
The former Glitterball Trophy champion was in London with her husband to promote their new play, but the couple's day got off to a chaotic start Stacey Dooley was forced to deliver an ultimatum to her daughter Minnie following "a couple of meltdowns" from the two-year-old before heading into London promote her West End play. The former Strictly Come Dancing winner and her partner Kevin Clifton, who first met after claiming the Glitterball Trophy in 2018, were scheduled to feature on Zoe Ball's BBC Radio 2 programme over the weekend to discuss their nationwide tour of 2:22: A Ghost Story. Unfortunately, the day got off to a rocky start with Zoe informing her audience that her guests had endured "a dramatic morning", resulting in "lots of people running around" backstage attempting to sort out the chaos before broadcast. As she introduced the pair to her show, Zoe revealed: "I am thrilled to say that they've just about made it. But it's been a dramatic morning for our guests today, an awful lot has happened, but they're here now, it's Dooley and Clifton!" After being introduced into the show, Stacey spoke frankly about the chaos the family of three had experienced in their rush to reach Broadcasting House. The documentary maker confessed: "I've just been painfully predictable this morning." The trouble began when Minnie refused to take a shower, with Stacey admitting she was forced to give her daughter an ultimatum, as her face was smeared with food. She said: "We've had a couple of meltdowns at about 8 o'clock this morning, which was really fun, and then we didn't want to shower, 'I don't want a morning shower', and I said, 'You've got ravioli around your face, baby! They'll take me off you!'" The excitement continued as Stacey, Kevin and Minnie reached the Radio 2 studios, where she "got stuck" while attempting to reach Zoe's radio studio. Stacey went on: "And then I got stuck in the stair lift, and your amazing producer came to save me," prompting Zoe to tell Kevin: "There was lots of people running around past the glass Kev, and I was like, 'What's going down?'" Kevin shared his perspective, saying: "They were all looking for Stacey's phone because she lost her phone downstairs, and, as we know, Stace will not get in a lift and we're, like, on the top floor of the building here. "So they had to find some secret passage to get Stacey up the stairs. It's been a real journey to get here." Stacey playfully interrupted with a quip: "I'm no hassle! I'm no hassle," leading Zoe to jest: "You knew this when you got involved, Kev! You knew what you were getting involved in!" Kevin chuckled and concluded: "Yeah, I've got these two manic redheads who are making my life really dramatic!" 2:22 – A Ghost Story is set to be the first project that reunites Stacey and Kevin since their dazzling days on Strictly, as they step into the characters of Jenny and Sam in this spine-chilling play, reports Wales Online. He took to Instagram to announce their collaboration with a snap of the duo, captioning it: "Day 1 back working with this little fella again. Last time was 7 years ago @sjdooley @222aghoststory."
Metro
13 minutes ago
- Metro
MasterChef star edited out of BBC series says she knows how to 'spot a creep'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A MasterChef contestant has said she was made to feel uncomfortable while appearing on the BBC show, before it was confirmed she would be edited out of the upcoming series. Sarah Shafi, a leadership and management development partner for St John Ambulance from Leeds, was a contestant for Gregg Wallace's final season of MasterChef which was filmed last year and will be broadcast on the BBC next week with the former greengrocer, 60, and his co-host John Torode getting limited screen time. In July, an independent report into MasterChef upheld 45 complaints against Wallace, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one of unwelcome physical contact as well as an upheld a racial language allegation against Torode, which he doesn't recall. The BBC subsequently vowed never to work with Wallace ever again while he has since confirmed he has quit television completely. Shafi has since spoken about her experience on the cooking show, which she described as 'uncomfortable'. Sitting in the ITV studio with Kate Garraway and Ed Balls, Shafi said of her experience on the show: 'For me, it didn't feel as faithful to food as I thought it would be, and at the same time, I felt it was uncomfortable around presenters.' Garraway then pressed whether it was Wallace in particular she was referring to, to which Shafi replied referring to Wallace's controversial comments last year about 'women of a certain age' making complaints against him. Shafi said: 'It wasn't a big deal for me. I'm an older woman and a woman of that certain age, and I can kind of spot that creep, and you just go, I'll just get on with it. 'After I left the show, I think the main thing I felt was relief.' Shafi went on to say that it 'isn't about her', adding: 'This isn't about a particular experience, although that gave me insight into the taste of that masculine toxicity, and I thought, I don't want to really be part of that.' Balls said Banijay, who produces MasterChef, had told the programme they had not found evidence of what Shafi said she had experienced in the rushes from the show, which is the raw, unedited footage from filming. 'Whatever they say, I did actually make it clear within the days after filming that I felt uncomfortable,' said Shafi. 'I know what happened, and I know what I reported and I know what I spoke about. I've got my own evidence of that.' In an interview with Newsnight last week, Shafi also claimed to have been 'eyed up and ogled' by Wallace while appearing on the TV show, adding he had made a 'throwaway comment' about his reputation with women. Unable to recall the exchange verbatim, she told Newsnight: 'I just stood there, I didn't know how to respond to that. And that I just thought, where's that come from? Why was he saying that to me? 'And then later he came, it was a bit closer and made a comment that I was really amazing and I thought, it's weird, but I'll take it. But I thought I just don't like it. I felt it was off.' A report by law firm Lewis Silkin found there were 27 substantiated claims against Wallace relating to alleged incidents during this period, most of which related to sexually explicit comments. One allegation of unwanted physical contact during this timeframe was also substantiated. The report found that when concerns were reported to the production company during this period, there was a failure to retain records of any action taken. The report found that 17 upheld allegations relate to this period. In 2015, the production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace's behaviour, but he was not made aware of the complaint. The following year, the production company merged with Endemol, and more formal policies, regular training, and anonymous reporting lines were introduced. The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, following which Wallace was warned of the need to change his behaviour. One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment fell into this period. Wallace faced allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over 17 years, BBC News reported. The TV star stepped away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay, the show's production company, announced that it was conducting an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims. BBC News said allegations include the presenter 'talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to "give her a fashion show", and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans'. The charity Ambitious About Autism said it had dropped Wallace as an ambassador, citing the 'recent allegations'. Banijay UK confirmed it appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour. Wallace said in a video posted to Instagram that accusations about him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from 'middle-class women of a certain age'. Downing Street said Wallace's response to the accusations being made against him was 'inappropriate and misogynistic'. A spokesperson added that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row. Following the backlash, Wallace apologised for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his remarks and said he would 'take some time out'. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said politicians should be ready to put in place 'mechanisms' that would instil 'confidence' that women will be taken seriously in reports of inappropriate behaviour after a Labour MP asked him about 'women of a certain age', reflecting comments Wallace apologised for. MasterChef co-presenter John Torode said in a social media post that he 'loves being part of' the programme and 'will continue to be a part of it'. Wallace told the Daily Mail he 'thought about suicide all the time' after allegations of misconduct were made against him. Wallace was sacked as MasterChef presenter following the inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay. BBC News said it had not seen the final review from Banijay but understood the presenter had been sacked. In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' ahead of the published review. He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language were inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this. The report by law firm Lewis Silkin for Banijay is published. It says that a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of 'unwelcome physical contact'. It concludes that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour', adding that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated'. In the wake of the report's findings, Banijay say that 'Wallace's return to MasterChef (is) untenable'. Speaking on GMB, Shafi concluded by telling the hosts: 'For me now, it's not about John Torode and Gregg Wallace. It's about the BBC and it's about that accountability and enabling environment.' In response to Metro's request for comment, the BBC referred to their statement issued earlier this month. The statement read in part: 'After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey. More Trending 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.' Metro contacted Banijay and Gregg Wallace's representatives for comment. View More » Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Kate Garraway awkwardly jokes about 'being fired' from Good Morning Britain after ITV cuts MORE: David Attenborough fans left facing 'nightmares' after witnessing baby spiders devour their mum MORE: 'Deeply moving' TV show that will break your heart lands on Netflix
ITV News
13 minutes ago
- ITV News
First Look: Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker star as female fraudsters in ITV's Heist Drama, Frauds
ITV released today a selection of first-look images for new heist thriller Frauds starring Suranne Jones (Maryland, Vigil) and Jodie Whittaker (Time, Doctor Who) as complex duo Bert and Sam, whose intertwined past resurfaces in the setting of Southern Spain after a decade of separation. As Sam has sought a low-key life, Bert's release from a Spanish prison for compassionate reasons reignites her ambition for one final, significant score. On the pretext of one final, multi-million-pound art heist, Bert attempts to lure Sam out of retirement, but at what cost? Can Sam stay one step ahead of her former friend, who is clearly capable of treachery? Or will the push and pull of their toxic friendship see them both ruined before they are able to pull off the job? If used, must credit: Frauds will air on ITV1 and ITVX later this year. The selection of first look images are now available on ITV Pictures.
