strictly come dancing 2021: new names rumoured in the line up
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Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Baga Chipz is latest star rumoured to be joining line-up

Holly Willoughby, Baga Chipz and Christine Quinn all touted

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 rumours are hotting up, not least because pro dancer Janette Manrara quit the Saturday show to concentrate on co-presenting It Takes Two.

And now, because Strictly Come Dancing is back in the forefront of our minds, we need to know who will be foxtrotting this year.

So who are the latest rumoured stars to be taking part? Here’s everything you need to know…

strictly come dancing 2021: new names rumoured in the line up
Could we see Baga Chipz waltzing onto the Strictly dance floor? (Credit: Splash News)

Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Who is going to be on this year?

The latest name in the frame is celebrity drag artist Baga Chipz, aka Leo Loren.

A source told The Sun BBC bosses are also considering fellow RuPaul Drag Race UK star The Vivienne for the 2021 line-up.

Strictly producers always try to do things a little bit differently, so they want to introduce a drag artist to shake up perceptions even further.

They said: “There’s been a real shift in thinking on this in recent years, with contests having same sex partners appearing more and more.

“But Strictly producers always try to do things a little bit differently, so they want to introduce a drag artist to shake up perceptions even further.

“It could mean that the drag artist in question performs dressed as a man or dressed as a woman – and that’s before considering whether they’re paired up with a male or female pro. There are endless possibilities, all of them exciting.”

strictly come dancing 2021: new names rumoured in the line up
Christine Quinn’s name is also in the frame (Credit: Splash News)

Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn

She recently gave birth to her first child, baby Christian, and it seems the Selling Sunset star has another first on her list – appearing on Strictly!

Christine fuelled rumours that she’s signed up to appear after posting a mysterious tweet over the weekend.

Read more: Selling Sunset star Christine Quinn rumoured for Strictly Come Dancing 2021

She said: “PASSPORT IN HAND! I’m so excited to announce I will be coming to the UK in September for a big surprise!

“I can’t wait to share more soon, but I look forward to finally meeting you guys!”

Of course, as any Strictly fan will know, the series kicks off in September…

Louise Minchin

BBC Breakfast presenter Louise sensationally quit the show after 20 years, and immediately rumours started around her involvement with this year’s Strictly.

Read more: Is Aljaz Skorjanec leaving Strictly with wife Janette Manrara?

Not least because of co-host Dan Walker.

He straight-out asked her about appearing on the show, to which Louise coyly replied: “You know the answer to that, I’m on a lifetime ban!”

Dan Walker

Speaking of Dan Walker

The BBC Breakfast show host recently stepped down from presenting duties on the BBC’s Saturday-lunchtime football show, Football Show.

That led many to wonder whether he could now fit Strictly into his schedule.

A Strictly insider told The Sun: “Crucially he now has a clear diary on Saturdays. He is one of our top targets for this year’s cast.”

As for Dan himself, he said in 2020: “There’s a regular phone call that comes in.

“The problem is I’ve got a big wingspan. I’m 6ft 6in, I’d need a big dance floor!”

Vicky swaps Line of Duty for new crime drama Without Sin
The BBC fancy a Line of Duty star like Vicky McClure for Strictly (Credit: BBC)

Line of Duty stars Vicky McClure, Gregory Piper and Shalom Brun-Franklin

Previously unknown 23-year-old Brummie actor Gregory shot to fame thanks to his portrayal of bent copper Ryan Pilkington in Line of Duty.

But it’s not just Gregory from the smash-hit crime drama that the BBC has its eyes on.

Vicky McClure (who plays Kate Fleming) and newcomer Shalom Brun-Frankling (who played Chloe in series six) are also rumoured to be waltzing onto the dance floor.

Once again, The Sun quoted a source, who said: “Line Of Duty is the biggest show on telly by miles so Strictly producers would love to secure one of its stars to take part.”

Piers Morgan latest news
Could Alex carry on the GMB-Strictly tradition? (Credit: GMB YouTube)

Alex Beresford

GMB weatherman Alex, 40, did not dispel rumours of a Strictly appearance when The Sun speculated.

In fact, he said on Twitter: “Do I need to brush up on my 2 step and shuffle?”

Another GMB weather person the BBC is rumoured to have its eye on is Laura Tobin.

Could either of these two carry on the tradition of GMB hosts appearing on Strictly?

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 rumours - Michael Owen
Michael has previously refused Strictly’s offers (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Michael Owen

The former Liverpool, Newcastle, Real Madrid and England footie star has always refused Strictly in the past.

But now, according to reports, he’s set to accept the show’s offer.

A source told The Sun: “Michael has been on our wish list for a while. He would be a great signing for us.”

holly wears yellow dress on this morning
Holls is a self-confessed Strictly fan (Credit: ITV)

Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Holly Willoughby

A self-confessed Strictly fan, Holly would be an A-list signing for the show.

However, it’s unlikely because of her ties to ITV and the channel’s rival, Dancing On Ice.

One person who would love to see her there is Strictly pro dancer, Giovani Pernice.

The Italian recently told The Sun: “We would have so much fun and she would do amazing.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 rumours - Gok Wan
Could Gok conquer his fears? (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Gok Wan

Fashion guru and now cooking star Gok is reportedly involved in a head-to-head war between Strictly and I’m A Celebrity for his reality services.

Gok said recently: “I have been asked to do both and, quite often, I’ll see whether I would do it or not.

“Believe it or not, I just don’t have the confidence to do it.

“I know that I would be terrified before I went onto the dance floor and I just don’t think I’ve got it in me.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 rumours - Ryan Thomas and Lucy Mecklenburgh
Ryan and fiancé Lucy (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Ryan Thomas

The former Corrie star is currently out of work, and has recently completed 10 marathons on 10 days for charity.

The Sun says Ryan turned down Strictly last year because he and fiancé Lucy Mecklenburgh had just welcomed their first child.

But now bosses are keen on him for this year.

“Bosses think he’d be really good on the show. Everyone knows and loves him from Corrie and his ITV show,” a source said.

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor