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Louise Randell & Simon Duke

Cheryl tipped to be Strictly judge and replace fan favourite on BBC show

Cheryl is being linked with a shock role as a Strictly Come Dancing judge.

The Geordie star, who was a talented ballet dancer as a child and was recently a coach on The Greatest Dancer, had been tipped to appear on this year's series as contestant but now the rumour is that she could end up sitting behind the judges' desk and could replace fan favourite Bruno Tonioli.

While big names are being linked with the Strictly line-up all the time, it could be the judging line-up that attracts the most attention if former X Factor mentor Cheryl lands a job on the programme.

The Mirror reports that Bruno might have to miss the first few weeks of this year's show if he is unable to fly back and forth from his base in America due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

He usually spends the first part of the series splitting his time between the UK and America due to his filming commitments with the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, which is filmed in Los Angeles.

And now bookies have drastically shortened odds on Cheryl, 36, stepping in.

Coral's John Hill said: "With doubts over Bruno Tonioli's availability this year, we have slashed the odds on Cheryl being a judge on Strictly in 2020.

"Cheryl has been linked with being a contestant on Strictly for a while and they may just get their target this year, but in the judges' chair, rather than the dance floor."

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