Michelle Keegan is top of Strictly bosses’ wish list for next series – and they’re determined to sign her up

MICHELLE Keegan has rocketed to the top of the “most wanted” list for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, The Sun Online can reveal. BBC bosses think the Our Girl actress would be a knockout success on the show and have made her a “number one target.” A show source said: “Michelle ticks all […]

MICHELLE Keegan has rocketed to the top of the “most wanted” list for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, The Sun Online can reveal.

BBC bosses think the Our Girl actress would be a knockout success on the show and have made her a “number one target.”

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Show bosses are determined to sign Michelle[/caption]

A show source said: “Michelle ticks all the boxes. She’s glamorous, hugely popular and loves the show too. Producers are desperate to try and sign her up.

“They know that getting her to agree would be a massive coup and are hoping she will do it.”

Michelle has finished filming for Our Girl and is believed to be between projects.

Adds the source: “In terms of timing this is a great moment for Michelle to do it.”

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The actress loves the show[/caption]

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It’s thought Strictly bosses have wanted to snap Michelle up for some time[/caption]

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She recently finished filming for Our Girl[/caption]

“She’s been spending the last few weeks self-isolating at home with Mark so when things can go back to normal, she will be looking to throw herself into new challenges. They don’t come much bigger than Strictly.

“She’s always enjoyed the show and was wanted when she was on Corrie. But it was always very tricky to get over the line because of the BBC and ITV rivalry.”

If Michelle does agree she’d have one big advantage – husband Mark Wright is a former star of the show.

The TOWIE favourite got to the final in 2014 with Karen Hauer but lost out to eventual winner, the late Caroline Flack.

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Michelle’s husband Mark starred on Strictly in 2014[/caption]

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Mark and pro partner Karen Hauer finished in second place[/caption]

Show bosses are keen to ensure this year’s programme is as “good as ever” after a string of  blows.

Pro-dancers Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard have both quit in the past few weeks.

And the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made booking stars all the harder.

But those behind the show are putting all their efforts into making sure the new series is a success.

“Strictly is the biggest light entertainment programme on the telly and the bosses at the BBC are determined to make the new series as good as ever.

“One consequence of the lockdown is that more people are watching telly, so the BBC know they have a role to play in lifting everyone’s spirits.

“Hopefully by the time Strictly returns in the Autumn, life will be a bit more like normal. But at the moment the plans that would normally be gathering pace are a lot slower.

“However, everyone connected to the show is determined to make it a success.”

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Jamie Laing dropped out in the last series and is expected to make a return[/caption]

Other names being linked to the show are BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, and Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing who dropped out in the last series due to injury.

Footy pundit Jermaine Jenas is also thought to be on the radar of show bosses.