TV star Vicky Pattison has allegedly been offered a place dancing on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The 37-year-old media personality is said to have grabbed the attention of producers when she supported pal Pete Wicks from the wings of last year’s series – and now bosses want to bring her onto the dancefloor.
A source told The Sun: “Vicky loved watching Pete on the series and was in awe of the detail that goes into every performance.
“She has great energy and will no doubt be a hit with the viewers.
“Vicky's done plenty of reality shows but is ready to be out of her comfort zone on the dance floor.”
Pattison soared to fame in 2011 on MTV’s Geordie Shore after being known for her wild nights out and on-screen romances.
Vicky became a household name in 2015 after hitting the screens again on I’m a Celebrity and being crowned Queen of the Jungle – a moment she called the ‘best thing’ she’s ever done.
The Geordie talent revealed last year she wouldn’t say no to Strictly, but confessed that dancing wasn’t her strong suit.
She told the Mail: “When I found out Pete was doing it, I called him straight away to check he was alright.
“Because me and him are more ‘stand in the corner, drink and have a laugh’ than the ‘centre of the dance floor’ people.”
She mentioned that she’s realised as she’s got older, she realises should be pushing herself out of her comfort zone.
The rumour comes after Strictly execs announced the cast for this year’s show and revealed there would be two brand new stars joining.
Dianne Buswell will be starring alongside Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal on the dancefloor this September.
Also under the glitterball will be Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola, alongside two new stars, expected to be announced closer to the time.
Amy Dowden, who stepped away from last year's show due to a foot injury, will also be returning to Strictly for 2025, alongside Carlos Gu and Kai Widdrington, who didn’t have a celebrity partner last year.
Rumours swirled that Giovanni Pernice would be returning to the show after missing out last series, but his name was not included on the final cast list.
Sarah James, Executive Producer at BBC Studios said: “'The excitement is already building ahead of the new series and in addition to welcoming back our fantastic returning Pros, we are looking forward to welcoming two brand new Professional Dancers to the line up who will help bring another unforgettable series of dazzling dance and loads more besides to viewers later in 2025.”
All cast members will be taking to the floor each week in group routines as well as taking part in the competition themselves.
The show’s longest-serving dancer was allegedly sacked by bosses, sparking an ‘ageism’ row within the cast – but it has been confirmed that the star will be back as expected this September.
Professional dancer Karen Clifton, 52, has yet to win the glitter ball trophy but has made it to several finals, starring alongside Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing and former TOWIE star Mark Wright.
Karen was partnered with ex-footballer Paul Merson, 57, last year, but the pair were sadly eliminated on week five, and the previous season, the dancer took to the floor with Dj Eddie Kadi.
A TV source told the Mail: “Karen is a well loved and respected member of the Strictly cast and there's no way she would be axed, especially not because of her age.”
“She has dedicated years to the programme and can't wait to get back in the training room with a new partner in the next coming months.”
Following rumours around whether she would cut from the show due to her age, Karen said she was not ‘threatened' by younger competitors.
She explained that being on stage alongside new joiners makes her feel empowered, and she feels ‘inspired’ by the younger generation.
