Exclusive: Strictly set to sign up The Traitors winner as they scrap ‘no reality star’ rule liennhi

   

STRICTLY Come Dancing are set to sign up The Traitors UK winner Jake Brown for the upcoming series.

Jake, who was a Faithful on series three of the BBC show, is now ready to dazzle on the dancefloor, according to a source.

Portrait of Jake, a contestant on The Traitors, series 3.
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Strictly are set to sign up The Traitors winner Jake BrownCredit: BBC
Man in black jacket lowering a cage labeled "JAKE" in a forest.
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A source said bosses are keen to break their 'no reality star' rule to welcome JakeCredit: BBC

Bosses have previously waived their "no reality star" rule to welcome Love Islanders Tasha Ghouri and Zara McDermott to the show, and it looks like they will be doing the same for Traitors star Jake.

A source told us: "Strictly bosses think Jake would be the perfect fit for this year's line-up.

"He's a good guy, as viewers saw by his journey on The Traitors, so he will be popular with the fanbase and they love to cross-promote with other huge BBC shows."

Jake, who has cerebral palsy, has been open about his disability in the past and would make a good role model for the show.

 

"Jake has also overcome a lot of adversity in his life with his cerebral palsy, so it will really be inspiring to see how he tackles the dancefloor with a disability," the source continued.

"As previous contestants like Rose Ayling Ellis, Tasha Ghouri, JJ Chalmers, Lauren Steadman and, of course, Chris McCausland have proved, being disabled can be a superpower on this show."

A BBC spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on speculation.”

Cumbria lad Jake won the show alongside with former soldier Leanne Quigley triumphed as the last remaining faithfuls.

Jake revealed he had cerebral palsy at the end of the series.

He told BBC Radio Cumbria: "I know the struggles of having a disability growing up and I was very ashamed of it.

Neighbours legend become latest star to sign for Strictly Come Dancing after soap ending leaves him free to take part

"I tried to hide it and wanted to be normal, but once I'd met fellow people with cerebral palsy and started playing football for the England cerebral palsy football team, I realised actually I'm doing a disservice here.

"It's something to be proud of.

He added: "I don't want another six-year-old boy sat at home thinking 'I hate this disability, I want to be normal'."

Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect muscle control, movement and coordination.

It's usually caused by a problem with the brain that occurs before, during or after birth.

Usually, the symptoms of cerebral palsy aren't obvious immediately after a baby is born, but they tend to become noticeable during the first two or three years of a child's life.

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect muscle control, movement and coordination.

Cerebral palsy is a muscular condition which affects an estimated 30,000 children in the UK and an additional 1,800 children diagnosed each year.

It's the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect muscle control, movement and coordination.

Cerebral palsy is usually caused by a problem with the brain that occurs before, during or after birth.

According to the NHS, symptoms can include:

  • delays in reaching development milestones – eg. not sitting up by eight months or not walking by 18 months
  • seeming too stiff or too floppy
  • weakness in arms or legs
  • jerky or clumsy movements
  • walking on tip-toes
  • swallowing difficulties
  • speaking problems
  • learning disabilities

The severity of symptoms can vary – some of those with the condition only experience minor problems, while others may be severely disabled.

Portrait of Jake from The Traitors, season 3.
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Jake said he no longer wants to 'hide' is cerebral palsyCredit: BBC