Strictly Come Dancing has reportedly lined up ex Arsenal player Paul Merson to appear in the new series due to footballers ‘doing well’ with fans.
The Sky Sports pundit, 56, is said to signed a six-figure deal with the BBC as bosses try to the save the scandal-plagued show amid it’s misconduct probe.
Strictly has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni Pernice was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was ‘cruel and mean.’ He denies the claims.
It was followed by Graziano Di Prima’s sacking last month over reports he verbally and physically abused Zara McDermott during rehearsals. Graziano has apologised for kicking his former partner and added other allegations do not align with ‘how he remembers it.’
A source told The Sun: ‘Paul will be a popular addition. Footballers always do well with fans, whether they can dance or not’.
Strictly Come Dancing has reportedly lined up ex Arsenal player Paul Merson, 56, to appear in the new series due to footballers ‘doing well’ with fans.
The Sky Sports pundit is said to signed a six-figure deal with the BBC as bosses try to the save the scandal-plagued show’s amid it’s misconduct probe (pictured 2003)
Before implying Paul would be also be able to tug at audience’s heart strings, adding: ‘But he also has a past, having had to battle addictions to drugs, booze and gambling’.
MailOnline have contacted Paul’s reps and BBC for comment.
Paul played for Arsenal between 1985 and 1997, as well as representing England and earning 21 caps for his country.
Since turning his attentions to broadcasting he has spoken about his struggles with addiction in TV documentaries, including ITV’s Harry’s Heroes: The Full English in 2019.
Telling host Harry Redknapp: ‘Addiction is the most lonely of places and I’ve had three of the worst types over three decades. Never be afraid to talk, you’re never alone’.
It comes after Laura Whitmore was praised by fans for her courage while others have questioned why she didn’t come forward sooner – after she confirmed she’s spoke to the BBC about Giovanni‘s ‘inappropriate’ behaviour.
The TV presenter, 39, who was partnered with the Italian dancer, 33, on the show in 2016, has claimed she initially raised concerns to the BBC six years ago.
Although she hasn’t made a formal complaint, Laura hopes to get ‘just an acceptance’ of what happened to her in the rehearsals room as she posed on her Instagram on Saturday.
A source said: ‘Paul will be a popular addition. Footballers always do well with fans, whether they can dance or not’ (Paul pictured in 1993)
Before implying Paul would be also be able to tug at audience’s heart strings, adding: ‘But he also has a past, having had to battle addictions to drugs, booze and gambling’
Strictly has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni Pernice was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour – which he denies
It was followed by Graziano Di Prima’s sacking last month over reports he verbally and physically abused Zara McDermott during rehearsals
Laura admitted she has discussed with six former Strictly stars about their time on the show and took their information to the BBC.
Her new statement shared to her Story has been met with mixed reaction – some saying she was brave to make her comments while other wondered why she hasn’t said anything until now.
One said: ‘Waiting for the ‘why didn’t she come forward sooner?’ And ‘another woman ruining this man’s career’ brigade.
‘People who have been abused often don’t come forward straight away. He ruined his own career. Respect to Laura Whitmore.’
Others wrote: ‘Brave of @thewhitmore to speak out with all the victim blaming and threats.’,
‘The scandal goes on, and such things have been happening, I guess, for years and years of the show. It is time the show was pulled’,
‘Well it’s good that others, like Laura Whitmore are finding the courage to speak out then, isn’t it?’,
‘I believe Laura Whitmore & Amanda Abbington #Strictly.’,
‘Kudos to #LauraWhitmore for saying her #StrictlyComeDancing truth. She raised a complaint in 2016 and the #BBC was still using the same dancer years later – how is that right?’
However others questioned: ‘#Laurawhitmore has come out to have her say. Laura, best if u wait till the investigation is completed before u say anything. Now I think it’s a witchhunt against #giovannipernice #StrictlyComeDancing.’,
‘Smells fishy. Can’t recall her being public before now. Very odd.’,
The TV presenter, 39, who was partnered with the Italian dancer, 33, on the show in 2016, has claimed she initially raised concerns to the BBC six years ago
Although she hasn’t made a formal complaint, Laura hopes to get ‘just an acceptance’ of what happened to her in the rehearsals room as she posed on her Instagram on Saturday
Her new statement shared to her Story has been met with mixed reaction – some saying she was brave to make her comments while other wondered why she hasn’t said anything until now
However others questioned: ‘#Laurawhitmore has come out to have her say. Laura, best if u wait till the investigation is completed before u say anything’
In an Instagram post, Laura wrote: ‘I initially raised concerns back in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong’
Laura admitted that she has discussed with six former Strictly stars about their time on the show and took their information to the BBC
‘Aaah, the old ‘inappropriate behaviour’ without actually stating any actual occurrences.’
In an Instagram post, Laura wrote: ‘I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight.
‘I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don’t want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual.
‘I initially raised concerns back in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong.
‘The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people’s experience. It’s a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.
‘I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again.
‘Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved.
‘Misinformation is being put into the press so I want to set the record straight. Victim blaming must stop or we will never get better.
‘I’ve tried to speak up in the correct way. I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up.’
