02 August 2023 , 22:33
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Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly hoping to sign up cricketer Stuart Broad for the celebrity dancing competition. The 37-year-old stunned cricket fans over the weekend when he announced this summer's final Test at The Oval would be his last after an incredible career.
He ended his career on a high note as he bowled England to victory in the Ashes but it looks like his time in the spotlight might not be over yet. According to sources, the BBC is attempting to get the cricketer to show off his dance moves on Strictly - a show his fiancée Mollie King took part in in 2017. She even reached the semi-finals.
The insider said that Stuart is the "perfect choice to fill the coveted 'sports star' slot considering he retired as the 'hero of the hour'. “It is a last-minute approach, but the BBC think he’s worth trying to get on board because he would be hugely popular with viewers," they said.
The BBC are reportedly hoping to get Stuart Broad on the show (Getty Images)Speaking to The Sun, they said: "They’d be guaranteed to feature quite a few cricket-themed dances, and would almost certainly incorporate his famous bandana somehow too." Mirror has contacted Stuart's representatives for comment.
Stuart made the decision to walk away from the sport aged 37 and will now be spending more time with his fiancée Mollie King, their daughter Anabella and working on his pub and restaurant business. When asked whether becoming a dad could have played a part in his decision to retire, he said: "Great question. It's a difficult one to answer, really, because there's quite a long break after this series so I was getting a lot of time off anyway.
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"But even within this Ashes series - we played Ireland in the first week in June - I think I've been home for seven or eight nights, maybe. And because Mollie works Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, she's not been able to travel. I feel like I haven't seen Annabella and Mollie as much as I would like to - at such a young age, particularly. I love everything about being a dad and I'm certainly going to throw all my time and effort into being a great dad. Did it come into my decision? Potentially."
Other cricketers who took part in Strictly include Mark Ramprakash, Darren Gough, Phil Tufnell, Michael Vaughan and Graeme Swann.
Strictly's return is fast approaching (BBC/Guy Levy)Many stars have been rumoured to join the line-up of the next series of the BBC competition, including Les Dennis and Loose Women's Brenda Edwards.
Brenda has wowed in West End shows such as Chicago and Sister Act, and will finish her run as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You in August – so she will be free for the BBC contest, which usually kicks off in September.
A source said: “Brenda is a dream signing. She has a huge fanbase from Loose Women and the talent to go all the way. She also has a very emotional backstory – the nation adores Brenda.”
Former Coronation Street star Les could be joining other rumoured stars Angela Rippon, 78, Angela Scanlon, 39, Casualty’s Nigel Harman, 49, and former Love Island star Zara McDermott, 26, on the show this year.
A source told the Mail On Sunday: "The viewers are going to love Les. He is a TV icon and now he will be dancing on one of the most popular shows around. He might be about to turn 70 but he is a showman and he will be great entertainment for those watching at home. There is genuine excitement about Les taking part."