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Steph McGovern turned down Strictly Come Dancing 2022 – but is rooting for pal Helen Skelton-Charlotte Manning-Entertainment – Metro
She’s been approached multiple times in the past.
Steph turned down Strictly Come Dancing again this year (Picture: REX/BBC/PA)
Steph McGovern has revealed she turned down the chance to feature on this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Daytime TV favourite Steph, 40, was heavily rumoured to be signing up to the latest edition of Strictly, after previously saying no in the past.
She previously revealed that she’s been asked ‘a couple of times’ to feature on the flagship programme, but couldn’t due to the launch of her Channel 4 daytime programme Steph’s Packed Lunch.
However, while bosses were hoping to get her as part of the billing again this year, she still turned them down.
Speaking out on the decision, she told fans who she’s throwing her support behind this year, her friend Helen Skelton.
She said: ’I think it’s a brilliant show. And I’ve got some friends on it again this year, including Helen Skelton, who I’m really pleased is doing it.
Steph presents her lunchtime show Steph’s Packed Lunch on weekdays (Picture: Tom Barnes)
‘But it’s just not the right time at the moment. I’ve got my show five days a week, so I’d have to train every evening and it wouldn’t be fair on my little girl. She’s so young and I don’t want to miss anything.’
Steph added to Hello! that she would be reluctant to have her family there to ‘expose them to newspaper coverage’ as well as leading fans to quiz why they were missing.
She’s excited to see pal Helen Skelton take part (Picture: PA)
‘I can cope with the scrutiny, but they haven’t chosen a public life. Maybe when my little girl’s older and wants to do stuff, I’ll talk to her about it, but not now.’
Luckily, Steph previously refused to rule out taking part, telling Packed Lunch viewers earlier this month, ‘never say never.’
Her friend John Whaite made it to the finale last year (Picture: PA)
We’d love to see her light up the Strictly dance floor in the future.
Last year, former Strictly finalist John Whaite backed his co-star to appear on the annual show during an Instagram live.
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‘You know I said to Steph, my friend and colleague that she should do it because she’d be great, but I don’t know if she will, I hope she will,’ he told his followers.
‘I’m sure they’d want her, Steph’s got some moves, let me tell you.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year to BBC One.
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