Cheryl urged by Kimberley Walsh to take Strictly judge role

She's favourite to replace Bruno Tonioli!

Author: Alex RossPublished 30th Jun 2020
Last updated 2nd Sep 2020

Strictly Come Dancing bosses are said to be working around the clock to ensure the 2020 series will go ahead, despite the Coronavirus pandemic disrupting shows like Love Island, The Apprentice and Line of Duty to name a few.

Recently it was reported that popular judge Bruno Tonioli, who has appeared on the show since series one, may not be able to take part in the 2020 series if it goes ahead, as he won't be able to fly back over to the UK.

Rumours have been rife recently as to who could replace him, and unsurprisingly former Girls Aloud singer and dance-enthusiast Cheryl is the favourite to land the job alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Although Cheryl's manager has revealed the former Greatest Dancer judge hasn't been approached, a source has told new! Magazine that her best friend and Girls Aloud band mate Kimberley Walsh is urging her to consider it.

A source told the publication, "Kimberley's urged Cheryl to go for the opportunity and says it will help her revive her career, as well as boost her self-esteem and prove all her critics who've torn her apart over the past year."

The source went on to add, "She didn't want to be thrust back into the spotlight and appear desperate by jumping from one talent show to the next.

"But Kimberley urged her to consider how being on one of the most popular TV shows could turn her back into the country's golden girl, like The X Factor did."

Check out Cheryl's amazing career below:

British Gas Advert

Cheryl started her rise to fame at the age of just seven, bagging herself a role in a advert for British Gas and looking very cute in the process!

Popstars: The Rivals

In 2002, Cheryl auditioned for ITV talent show Popstars: The Rivals, impressing judges Pete Waterman, Louis Walsh and Geri Halliwell with her charm and vocals at the time.


At the age of just 19, Cheryl progressed through the rounds and ended up landing a place in Girls Aloud alongside Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding and Kimberley Walsh, with the girl band beating boy band One True Voice to land the Christmas Number One spot with their debut single 'Sound of the Underground'.

Girls Aloud

After being formed on Popstars: The Rivals, Girls Aloud went on to achieve massive success across the UK and around Europe, gaining an impressive twenty consecutive top ten hits, four number ones and six top ten albums.


As well as record sales, Cheryl and the rest of her Girls Aloud band mates took part in six arena tours, performing hits like 'The Promise', 'Love Machine', 'Call The Shots', and 'Can't Speak French'.


In July 2009, Girls Aloud announced they would be taking a hiatus in order to pursue their solo careers.

Solo career

Whilst Girls Aloud were on their hiatus, Cheryl delved into the world of solo stardom, releasing her debut solo single 'Fight For This Love' in 2009, followed by her debut solo album '3 Words'.


Cheryl went on to enjoy a very successful career as a solo artist, landing a massive five Number 1 singles in the UK Charts, with hits like 'Call My Name', 'Promise This', 'Crazy Stupid Love', and 'I Don't Care'.


The singer also embarked on a massive arena tour, and collaborated with stars such as Tinie Tempah, Wretch 32, and good friend will.i.am.

The X Factor UK

Cheryl's became the nation's sweetheart in 2008 when she joined the judging panel of The X Factor alongside Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh.


The singer went on to mentor both Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry to win the show, before leaving in 2011.

The X Factor USA

It was later revealed Cheryl had left the UK version of The X Factor to appear as a judge on The X Factor USA, with friend Simon Cowell landing her the prestigious role.


However, after just a number of weeks, it was revealed that Cheryl had been dropped from the panel, with Simon later admitting he wish he'd kept her.


Speaking to the Radio Times, Simon said, "If I could go back in time I would have kept her on the show. It was stupid doing what I did.


"I didn't sack her personally. That was the second-biggest mistake I made."

Girls Aloud reunion

Following a three-year hiatus, Cheryl and the rest of Girls Aloud announced they would be reuniting for their 10th year anniversary in 2012!


The band released a brand new album called 'Ten', which included two brand new singles called 'Something New' and 'Beautiful 'Cause You Love Me', and embarked on their Ten: The Hits Tour.

Girls Aloud split

After a successful reunion tour, just hours after their final performance on stage in Liverpool on the 20th March 2013, Girls Aloud released a statement confirming the band would be splitting up.

X Factor UK return

After making up with Simon Cowell following her exit from the US version, Cheryl returned to The X Factor UK judging panel in 2014 for two more series.

Time off for baby Bear

Following one of the worst kept pregnancies secrets in the world of showbiz, Cheryl and her now ex-boyfriend Liam Payne welcomed a baby boy in March 2017, calling him Bear Grey Payne.


Following Bear's birth, Cheryl decided to take a step away from the spotlight to bond with her son, and to this day the former couple have decided to keep his life largely out of the public eye.

Cheryl's Trust

In 2018, Cheryl joined forced with The Princes Trust to open a state-of-the-art centre in the heart of her hometown of Newcastle, in order to help disadvantaged young people to get their lives back on track.


Speaking about the amazing project, Cheryl said, "I'm proud of where I grew up but I'm only too aware of the challenges that young people face. Opportunities often seem pretty limited and I saw so many friends who had loads of potential fall into a life of alcohol, drugs and crime. Too many young people are wasting their lives away because they feel they have no one to turn to."

More solo music

After a four year break from music, in November 2018, just months after her split from One Direction singer Liam Payne, Cheryl returned to the scene with her brand new single 'Love Made Me Do It'.


The singer later went on to release 'Let You' in the summer of 2019, which turned out to be her last release.

L'Oreal

Cheryl worked with beauty brand L'Oreal Paris for a massive nine years, and in late 2019 she walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week.

The Greatest Dancer

In early 2019, Cheryl joined the panel for Simon Cowell's BBC show The Greatest Dancer. Cheryl sat alongside Glee star Matthew Morrison and Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse.


The dance-enthusiast returned for a second series in 2020, but after the series ended, it was later revealed the show has been axed due to low viewing figures.

2:22 A Ghost Story

Cheryl announced in December 2022 that she would be taking over from Laura Whitmore in West End play 2:22 A Ghost Story. Cheryl played the role of Jenny between January-April 2023, with amazing reviews from both fans and critics.

Girls Aloud reunite in 2023

10 years after their split, Girls Aloud announced in November 2023 that they were reuniting with a huge arena tour in 2024 in celebration of the late Sarah Harding. Speaking about the reunion, Cheryl said of Sarah's absence: "The fact that we're here now and she's not is heartbreaking. It's never going to be the same."

Girls Aloud embark on 2024 reunion tour

Cheryl shared this snap of herself and Nicola, Kimberley and Nadine in May, as the girls jetted off to Dublin for the first show of their reunion tour.

However, if Cheryl is up for the new role, reports today won't be to her liking. It's being reported that Strictly bosses are now considering to NOT replace Bruno if he can't make it back to the UK, and instead just go ahead with three judges.

Of course, nothing has been confirmed by the BBC just yet, but we do know which professionals will be taking part following the departure of both Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard.

Check out all of the rumoured celebs for Strictly Come Dancing 2020 right here.

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