Molly-Mae Hague rumoured for Strictly as 'reality star ban is lifted'
She would be great on the show!
We might have missed out on Love Island this summer, but, fortunately, Strictly Come Dancing is coming back to our screens later this year. And to make this year's series exciting, it's being reported that the show might recruit one of Love Island's biggest exports: Molly-Mae Hague.
Currently, the social media star is at odds of 3/1 to sign up thanks to her huge success (and 4.4million Instagram followers) since appearing on the ITV2 dating show.
If you're a Strictly fan, then you'll probably know that there's been an unofficial "reality star ban" on the show for years, with judge Craig Revel Horwood previously saying reality stars were not "high calibre" enough to take part in the celebrity competition.
But according to reports, because of Covid-19, some celebs are less keen to take part, so bosses are having to widen their pool in order to recruit stars.
Also, it looked like the ban had been lifted when Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing was scheduled to take part in last year's series - but a last minute foot injury meant he had to quit the series before it had even begun. (As if that wasn't sad enough, his replacement, Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, actually won the Glitterball Trophy.)
Check out all of the rumoured celebs for this year's Strictly Come Dancing:
Chris Whitty
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has been an integral part of the team during the Coronavirus pandemic, but if rumours are anything to go by, Strictly bosses are doing everything in their power to sign him up for the 2021 series.
Vicky McClure
Following the popularity and success of Line of Duty, main actress Vicky McClure has been linked to the 2021 series of Strictly. According to the bookies, Vicky is 11/10 to join the show.
Gregory Piper
Another Line of Duty star rumoured to switch the cop cars for the dancefloor is Gregory Piper, who played the role of PC Ryan Pilkington in the hit drama.
Perri Kiely
Diversity star and KISS FM Breakfast presenter Perri Kiely recently confessed he'd love to take part on the show. Speaking to Digital Spy, the former BGT winner said: "If it was on a technical level, that would be horrendous, so I'd definitely love to give it a go. But I'm not sure people would see that. They'd probably see an unfair advantage. People thought I was cheating on Dancing on Ice, let alone Strictly Come Dancing."
Tom Malone Jr
After leaving Gogglebox earlier this year, Tom Malone Jr has expressed his interest in appearing on Strictly. He told the Express: "If the opportunity came up to go on Strictly as a contestant, I've never done Ballroom in my life, so it'd be interesting to see how as someone who breaks."
Munroe Bergdorf
Model Munroe Bergdorf has revealed she wants to make history by becoming Strictly Come Dancing's first ever transgender contestant.
She told the Make It Reign podcast: "I've always said that 'Strictly' is the only one that I've got a desire to do. I've got a plan. I want to get everything done that I want to achieve, then I can start doing those shows. It's really exciting."
Carrie Symonds
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds has also been a name on the rumour mill. However, judge Shirley Ballas seemed to dismiss these claims recently, telling Metro.co.uk: "99.9999%, it is a family show, it's not a political agenda."
Cheryl
After jumping over to the BBC for The Greatest Dancer, following her stint as a judge on The X Factor, rumours have continuously linked Cheryl to Strictly Come Dancing, so will she appear in 2021?
Tommy Fury
After showcasing his 'moves' on his spin-off show The Boxer and the Ballroom Dancer with Love Island co-star Curtis Pritchard, fans have been urging Strictly to sign up boxer Tommy Fury.
Maya Jama
TV presenter Maya Jama was heavily rumoured for the 2020 series, but after she was a no-show in the line-up, fans are hoping she will make an appearance this year.
Alan Carr
Funny man Alan Carr would make a great addition to the show! Alan appeared on Loose Women last year where he confirmed he'd been asked to take part, so will we see him on the 2021 series?
Michelle Keegan
Since her husband Mark Wright made it into the Strictly final in 2014, every year rumours have been rife that actress Michelle Keegan will sign up.
But Mark set fire to the rumours even further when he took part in Christmas special back in 2019, telling the Radio Times, "Never say never, but I just think her nerves would go to another level."
Meanwhile, as we all wonder how a socially-distanced Strictly will work, judge Craig Revel Horwood opened up to Best Magazine last month, revealing details of how this could work.
He explained the situation further, telling the publication, "The rule is the dancer can go back to their home, and the celeb to either their home or a hotel."
Craig also revealed that the show will likely see some guest judges, and added, "Desperate times call for desperate measures. We’re lucky to be getting Strictly on the road at all. People need Strictly – and it’s happening – come hell or high water."