As a new line-up of celebs prepare to fight for the iconic glitterball trophy, Strictly judge Craig Revel-Horwood is slammed for making a hurtful comment towards 2018 winner Stacey Dooley.
The cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2019 are reportedly making a stand after the fiery judge, 54, made a cruel jibe about Stacey Dooley, 32, during filming of the BBC One's launch show on Friday night.
Check out: Strictly Come Dancing 2019: the official line-up
CLOSER Rumoured Strictly Come Dancing contestants 2019 slider
Lucy Fallon
We've seen her on our TV screens as Coronation Street's Bethany Platt but rumour has it she's swapping the cobbles for Strictly. According to The Sun, after BBC bosses saw how 'keen' she was for the show, "they told her she'd have to quit Corrie because of its ban on deals".Lucy has since confirmed she's leaving Corrie although she revealed she made the decision last August - before Strictly started. Hmm.
Nadia Essex
Celebs Go Dating star Nadia Essex is reportedly 'in talks' with BBC bosses about appearing on Strictly. They even apparently thought about her potential dance partner, a source told OK! magazine: "She's extremely tiny so if she does get on to the show it's likely she'll be paired with AJ Pritchard as he's one of the smaller male dancers."
Alan Carr
Alan Carr was tipped to have signed up for 2019's series after a memorable appearance at the final to read out the terms and conditions. He couldn't stop dancing, with the whole Strictly family eventually joining in with his infectious jiving.
Dani Dyer
The nation was devastated when Love Island 2018 winners Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham split but there's good news in store (kind of) Danny Dyer's daughter might be heading to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom. Ladbrokes Coral's PR executive said: "We think that a place on Strictly 2019 could be the perfect next step for the Love Island star."We've slashed the odds on her joining the class of 2019 and also make her just an 8/1 chance to lift the Glitterball Trophy," they told OK! mag.
Chris Evans
The radio personality confirmed live on his Radio 2 show that he had signed up to Strictly 2019. "I have said yes, primarily because my wife would like to go every week," he said.
Radzi Chinyanganya
Blue Peter presenter Radzi Chinyanganya has apparently been in 'advanced talks' with Strictly bosses. According to The Sun, insiders reckon parents will vote for him because of his young fanbase. They went on to say: "Bosses are really keen to get Radzi on board. He's really well loved within the BBC and has a lot of potential."He's being viewed as a bit of a rising star, much like Stacey Dooley last year – who was hugely successful on the show."
Rylan Clark
Last year Big Brother confirmed the show was being cancelled but things could be on the up for Rylan as he has hinted he'd take part in Strictly 2019. After admitting he wouldn't go on I'm A Celeb, he said: "It'd probably be Strictly Come Dancing if anything, but I never make plans."He added to OK! magazine: "One thing I've learnt is not to have a bucket list. I take each day as it comes and hope for the best."
Vogue Williams
DJ, model and mum-of-one Vogue is rumoured to be joining the line up for 2019.A source said, "Vogue has all the credentials to be on Strictly and is mates with someone in the casting department. It looks as though 2019 will be her time."If Vogue were to land a spot on the show, this wouldn't be the first reality show she's taken part in. Vogue was a contestant on Channel 4 show The Jump in 2017, where she met her husband Spencer Matthews.
Bez from Happy Mondays
Manchester dancing legend Bez of Happy Mondays is said to be in the running after his cheating on Bargain Hunt was the talk of the show. The TV star was caught cheating on Bargain Hunt after his girlfriend bid on his antiques, something he says was an "honest mistake". But rather than putting off BBC bosses, it's made them keen to get the freaky dancer in again.He previously appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and won the series in 2005 against Jackie Stallone, Lisa I'Anson and John McCririck.
Sam Allardyce
Former England football manager Sam Allardyce is apparently in talks for the show. A source told the Daily Mail that he met up with BBC bosses, before adding: "They were talking to him about the Christmas special but emphasised that they want him on a whole series, rather than just a one-off."
According to The Sun, Craig suggested that celebs should 'sleep with their pro partners like Stacey Dooley did'. The judge, who is renowned for his 'harsh comments', made the hurtful dig while Stacey, who is dating her former dance partner Kevin Clifton, was sitting in the audience with her family.
Host Tess Daly asked the judge what this year’s contestants can take as inspiration from 2018 winner's Stacey and Kevin.
Reports suggest that Craig replied: "Stacey was dragged up from the dance gutter...of course, if you sleep with your dance partner that helps."
Stacey's mum was reportedly left so upset by his remarks that she left the studio 'devastated'.
Craig has now been forced to apologise after causing uproar within the new cast of celebs, who now question whether the judge can remain impartial.
A source told the publication: "The cast thinks it’s completely unprofessional and rude, given his massive pay packet and position of power. They don’t understand how he can fairly judge now."
The judge apologised on Saturday after the BBC slammed him for being 'totally unacceptable'.
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Craig confessed: "I’m deeply sorry for the offence caused to Kevin and Stacey and everyone who works on the show.
"I recognise that what I said was hurtful, cruel and incredibly disrespectful. It was a huge error of judgment that I very much regret."
It's now been alleged that some cast members are calling for the judge to quit his role on the judging panel, following his out-of-line comments.
Strictly Come Dancing: The Launch show will air on Saturday 7 September at 7:40pm on BBC One.