Strictly Come Dancing bosses are scouring TikTok to secure one of the site’s top dance routine stars in a bid to appeal to a younger audience.
Talent bookers have signed up to the social network site to ensure they have a “cross section of ages” of talent in this year’s lineup, and want to continue the success of signing social media stars including Youtubers Joe Sugg and Saffron Barker.
Strictly’s Talent Executive Stefania Aleksander says: “In order to do my job is just knowing a broad range of celebrities. It’s not just about actors, actresses.
“Strictly moved into social media stars through booking Joe Sugg and Saffron Barker, so in order to entertain all genres, it’s about investing some time in learning about them.
“Social media is a whole world that I immersed myself into to learn about.”
While speaking at ScreenSkills panel, Stefania confirmed she has personally signed up to TikTok, adding: “It’s really important that every year we have a cross section of ages.
"Kids from the age of five to Nana’s up to 95 all watch the show, so for us a cross section of ages is really important because we want everyone to sit down together and champion someone in that cast - whether they’re 19 years of age or 60.
“We want to make sure that it’s all very well balanced and represented.
“We’ll always cast people of different ages to keep the balance there.”
Last year, bosses signed up HRVY who had 3.8 million TikTok subscribers, after reports suggested producers were looking at the UK’s No. 1 TikToker Holly Hubert, 23, from the Channel Islands, who has 16.4 million followers.
Last year’s competition was won by comic Bill Bailey, 56 - the oldest Strictly winner in its history.
Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph, 75, was 70 when she competed in 2016, while Johnny Ball took part in 2012 aged 74 and the late Paul Daniels competed in 2010 aged 72.
Actress Louisa Lytton was 17 when she competed in 2006, making her the show’s youngest ever contestant.
This series, which bosses are hoping will feature the usual 15 stars, will be cast by July. Last year’s shortened series only featured 12 stars, due to the pandemic.
Producers also said they have enjoyed “nosing in the backgrounds” of celebrities’ homes while interviewing on Zoom.
