Strictly Come Dancing bosses are ‘desperately’ trying to recruit Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure for the show’s nineteenth season.
Wanting to piggyback off of the hit police series’ success, BBC producers are reportedly keen to secure 37-year-old Vicky – whose performance as Detective Constable Kate Fleming has been critically acclaimed – for the dancing contest.
The Sun reports: ‘They think Vicky would be amazing and that fans would love her so she is very high on their list of targets.’
Exciting: Strictly Come Dancing bosses are ‘desperately’ trying to recruit Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure, 37, for the show’s nineteenth season
The paper adds: ‘Line Of Duty is the biggest show on telly by miles so Strictly producers would love to secure one of its stars to take part.’
According to the outlet, Vicky’s co-star Shalom Brune-Franklin is also being considered, as is ‘rebel’ weatherman Tomasz Schafernaker.
Shalom, 26, portrays DC Chloe Bishop on Line of Duty while Tomasz, 42, is best known for delivering BBC viewers the forecast with a post-lockdown shaggy do, after refusing to cut his grown-out hair.
MailOnline has reached out to Vicky McClure and Tomasz Schafernaker’s representatives alongside the BBC for comment.
Wise: Wanting to piggyback off of the hit police series’ success, Strictly producers are reportedly keen to secure Vicky
Co-star: Vicky’s co-star Shalom Brune-Franklin is also being considered. Shalom, 26, portrays DC Chloe Bishop on Line of Duty
Also tipped: BBC weatherman Tomasz Schafernaker is known for delivering the forecast with a post-lockdown shaggy do (pictured: his hair before and after lockdown)
The show is believed to be returning for a 13-show run this year.
The famous dancing competition’s annual trip to Blackpool is also on the schedule, after being scrapped last year in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
BBC bosses are currently in talks with Strictly staff and professional dancers ahead of its nineteenth season.
A source confirmed to The Sun: ‘They’re going to put on a full series this year. That means 13 episodes will and all of the themed weeks.
Finally! The famous dancing competition’s annual trip to Blackpool is back on the schedule, this year after being scrapped last year in light of the coronavirus pandemic
‘The pinnacle will be the trip to Blackpool and that’s always been the way on Strictly.
‘As things stand, the whole show will head to the North West in November. Everyone is really excited.’
The BBC declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.
Strictly’s eighteenth season faced major setbacks and was forced to go ahead with strict social distancing protocols in place.
Here come the girls! Making up the female pros are Amy Dowden, Oti, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones and Nancy Xu (pictured L-R in 2020)
This meant the annual Blackpool trip was scrapped, and the competition only ran for nine episodes.
However, the BBC succeeded in keeping the show on air despite a handful of COVID-19 outbreaks, with the likes of Katya and her celebrity partner, world champion boxer Nicola Adams, 38, testing positive for the virus and leaving the show early.
Popstar HRVY, 22, also tested positive before the show aired, however was able to recover in time to take part.
In March, BBC confirmed the 16 dancers who will hit the dance floor this Autumn, with fan favourites such as Anton Du Beke, Johannes Radebe and Dianne Buswell all back.
Pros: Anton Du Beke, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Neil Jones, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Radebe make up the male pros (pictured L-R in 2020)
Making up the female pros are Oti, Janette Manrara, Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Nancy Xu.
While Aljaž Škorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Johannes Radebe and Neil Jones make up the male pros.
Sarah James, Executive Producer of BBC Studios said of the news: ‘We are so thrilled to be welcoming back our incredible line-up of professional dancers for 2021.
‘Their passion and dedication for Strictly shone through more than ever last year as they all sacrificed so much to deliver an unforgettable series during unprecedented and challenging times.
‘With so much talent returning to the ballroom, the 2021 series promises more show-stopping choreography, memorable performances and world class dancing.’
BBC producer Sarah James said: ‘We are so thrilled to be welcoming back our incredible line-up of professional dancers’ (pictured Oti Mabuse after 2020 win with Bill Bailey in December)