‘It’s important we have a cross section of ages’: Strictly Come Dancing bosses scouring TikTok to find social media stars for next series to appeal to younger viewers
Strictly Come Dancing bosses are scouring TikTok to find young social media stars to take part in future series.
Talent bookers for the BBC show have signed up for the video app in a bid to bag contestants who will appeal to younger audiences after the success of YouTubers like Joe Sugg and Saffron Barker.
Strictly’s Talent Executive Stefania Aleksander told how bosses always try to get a ‘broad’ range of celebrities to take part to ensure the show appeals to viewers of all ages.
On the lookout: Strictly Come Dancing bosses are scouring TikTok to find young social media stars to take part in future series (Former Strictly star Joe Sugg pictured with Dianne Buswell)
According to The Mirror, Stefania said at the Screenskills panel: ‘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.
Confirming she had signed up for TikTok, Stefania added: ‘Social media is a whole world that I immersed myself into to learn about. 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.’
Appeal: Talent bookers for the BBC show have signed up for the video app in a bid to bag contestants who will appeal to younger audiences after the success of YouTubers like Joe Sugg and Saffron Barker (Saffron pictured with AJ Pritchard)
The booker added that bosses always try to make sure the show is balanced and represented and cast people from a wide range of ages.
Last year’s contestant HRVY boasted over 3.8million subscribers on TikTok while EastEnders actress Maisie Smith, who also took part in the 2020 series, is also popular on the platform.
It comes after reports that Stacey Solomon has been approached to join the next series of Strictly.
The Loose Women panellist, 31, was said to be ‘in the frame’ for the dancing show last year, but didn’t want to leave her sons to quarantine.
Popular: The show’s talent booker said: ‘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’ (HRVY pictured with Janette Manrara)
But Stacey is said to be ‘more open’ to the idea of joining the show now that life is beginning to return to normal.
A source told The Sun: ‘Stacey’s name was in the frame for Strictly last year but she didn’t want to quarantine away from her kids.
‘The pandemic meant she wanted to be at home as much as possible to home-school her eldest two boys and because her youngest Rex was still a baby.’
Stacey is reportedly being considered by the BBC to be ‘lured’ from ITV for good.
The source added: ‘The Beeb sees huge potential in Stacey and are keen to lure her away from ITV for good. With the offer of Strictly on the cards they are promising her the opportunity to take her TV career to the next level.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Stacey and the BBC for comment.
Beauty: Stacey Solomon has reportedly been approached to join Strictly Come Dancing as BBC try to poach the star from ITV (pictured in October last year)