Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Louise Minchin eyes up series as ‘husband lifts lifetime ban’ following BBC Breakfast exit
Could the presenter be heading to the ballroom later this year (Picture: BBC / Steve Schofield)
Louise Minchin has spoken about the possibility of starring on Strictly Come Dancing 2021 after her husband ‘lifted his lifetime ban’ from the show.
The presenter said she has changed her attitude towards the programme following her decision to leave BBC Breakfast after 20 years, having turned down the programme in the past.
Speaking on the Her Spirit podcast with the Her Spirit podcast with Carol Kirkwood, Louise said: ‘The other day on Breakfast Dan [Walker] mentioned it and I said the line that I’ve said for many years that I’m on a ‘lifetime ban’ from my family and my husband texted and said “ban lifted”.’
Carol replied: ‘You would be brilliant, you’ve got rhythm and viewers would love you because they do already. And you’re competitive in a healthy way.’
Louise replied by discussing how she previously turned down the show as she is good friends with former judge Darcey Bussell – who left the show in 2019.
‘The other reason I used to say no is because Darcy was one of my best friends so obviously I couldn’t go on when she was a judge – but now Oti [Mabuse] is judged by her sister,’ Louise explained.
Louise announced her decision to leave Breakfast earlier this year (Picture: Melissa Cross)
It’s not the first time Louise has spoken about the potential of signing up to Strictly.
Interviewing former contestant Judy Murray, Louise said: ‘I would really enjoy the training but I would be rubbish.
‘I’ve also got two children, two girls, and I’ve been vetoed – I’ve been out on a lifetime ban by them.’
It comes after Louise announced her decision to quit BBC Breakfast after first presenting the show 20 years ago.
The series will return to BBC One later this year (Picture: BBC)
The presenter confirmed that she is stepping down on an edition of the show earlier this year, saying: ‘I have decided it is time I stopped setting my alarm for 3.40 in the morning.’
After ‘taking a deep breath’, Louise told viewers: ‘This year, it will be 20 years since I first presented this programme. Since then I felt part of a huge BBC Breakfast family which includes everyone who works here, everyone on the team and every one of you who watches the programme. I’ve loved being part of it.
More: Louise Minchin
‘But. There is a but. You know about the but. I have decided that is time that I stopped setting my alarm for 3.40 – sometimes when I’m feeling really rebellious, 3.46 – in the morning, and I’m going to be leaving the programme.’
Louise said her departure would ‘not be for a while’, and thanked the viewers for their loyalty.
Strictly, meanwhile, has so far only confirmed the professional dancers and judges for 2021 with the celebrity contestants yet to be revealed.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to the BBC for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing will air on BBC One later this year.
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