Former Strictly winner Darren Gough has hit out at the BBC for allowing stars with dancing experience to compete, saying: “It defeats the object of the show.”
The former England cricketer won the third series in 2005 when he and partner Lilia Kopylova defeated athlete Colin Jackson and presenter Zoe Ball in the final.
But Darren, 50, said many of this year’s contestants were “already brilliant dancers in week one”.
Actress Caroline Quentin went to ballet school, EastEnders star Maisie Smith won last year’s 2019 Children in Need special while even Bill Bailey has admitted to having previous dance experience.
Darren said: “That’s my biggest bugbear now. They always say they haven’t done it but they have. I believed the public would vote them out because they would see right through that.
"When I look back, my biggest compliment from anyone is that people always thought men shouldn’t dance.”
“But over the years – especially with all the popularity you get from the show - a lot of people who are already great dancers want to sign up to do the show.”
*Darren is aiming for the Christmas No1 with Rig-Aid’s It’s Christmas Time (It’s Time To Lash) single, with all proceeds going to the charity Restart Rugby.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
