BBC bosses are said to be eyeing up one of the stars of this year’s Christmas Strictly special for the next full series.
Last night’s Christmas special was an emotional goodbye for fans as they watched Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shout ‘Keep Dancing’ for the last ever time on the show they’ve been hosting since 2014.
The festive episode featured dances from comedian Babatunde Aléshé, singer Brian McFadden, Gladiator’s Jodie Ounsley, All Saints star turned cook Melanie Blatt, TV personality Scarlett Moffatt and EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey.
In the end, it was Scarlett and Vito Coppola who took home Strictly’s Christmas Star trophy after they Cha Cha’d to Cher’s DJ Play a Christmas Song.
But it was 90s girl band legend, Melanie, who has reportedly impressed BBC bosses.
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A source told The Sun: ‘Melanie and Brian McFadden really caught the eye.
‘Brian is on tour with Boyzlife next year, which rules him out, so the door is wide open for Melanie.’
Former Westlife member Brian, will be touring with Keith Duffy from Boyzone as Boyzlife from February to November next year.
With Strictly starting in September, the schedules won’t align.
However, things might be different for the pop star turned burger chef.
Melanie danced Theatre Jazz to Santa Baby by Pussycat Dolls with Kai Widdrington and received 36 from the judges, including a 10 from head judge Shirley Ballas.
Admittedly, she found it tough to begin with.
Speaking before her dance, she said: ‘I wouldn’t say I’m in my natural element here, cos I’ve got scoliosis, and I’ve got metal rods in my spine, and that makes me quite stiff.’
Girlband members are no stranger to the dancing show.
Alesha Dixon, who was in Mis-Teeq, won the fifth series in 2007, and singers like Frankie Bridge from The Saturdays and Kimberley Walsh from Girls Aloud have finished as runner-ups.
Despite Scarlett’s success on the spin-off, she admitted she might never make it further than that.
Before the show aired, she wrote on Instagram: ‘I know I’ll probably never get to dance on the main Strictly series because of my past dance experience when I was a little girl so getting to be part of the Christmas special means everything to me.’
It’s not just the contestants that people are speculating about for next year.
After Tess and Claudia announced their departure from the show earlier this year, fans have been left guessing who could fill their shoes.
Names like Holly Willoughby, Bradley Walsh and Zoe Ball have been listed as favourites.
Strictly Come Dancing: Christmas Special is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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