Breakfast TV's ‘soapy Dick’ is up for Strictly
Published: 9 hrs ago
Strictly turned to the breakfast show favourite at the eleventh hour after looking at the line-up for their tenth series, which starts tomorrow week, and deciding it needed more FUN.
They hope Arnold — known as Soapy Dick thanks to a former soap slot on GMTV — will win over viewers with his camp humour.
A source said: “He will be our Strictly Clown this year and he is appy to play that role.
“Russell Grant was a huge hit on Strictly last year and we are hoping that Richard will attract the same fans. He is hilarious and during meetings had everyone in stitches with his camp jokes.
“He is a great signing for us — we’re delighted to have him on board.”
The source added: “Richard is well up for the show and Strictly’s producers hope he will promote it to viewers of Daybreak.
“But it will mean they also end up promoting Daybreak on Strictly — which has far more viewers.”
It is a boost Daybreak could really use because it is still struggling in the ratings despite its relaunch on Monday.
Meanwhile, CBBC actress Dani Harmer will also be taking to the dancefloor after a musical she was starring in was axed.
Touring production Disco Inferno was cancelled for financial reasons, after an investor withdrew.
Strictly bosses snapped up Dani — best known for playing kids’ favourite Tracy Beaker — in a bid to appeal to viewers with young children.
A spokesman for Dani last night denied claims by Disco Inferno’s producers that she quit to take part in the BBC1 contest.
Other contestants signed up for the new run of Strictly include two Team GB medal heroes from the London 2012 Olympics — cyclist Victoria Pendleton and gymnast Louis Smith.
Kid's TV star ... Dani Harmer
They hope Arnold — known as Soapy Dick thanks to a former soap slot on GMTV — will win over viewers with his camp humour.
A source said: “He will be our Strictly Clown this year and he is appy to play that role.
“Russell Grant was a huge hit on Strictly last year and we are hoping that Richard will attract the same fans. He is hilarious and during meetings had everyone in stitches with his camp jokes.
“He is a great signing for us — we’re delighted to have him on board.”
The source added: “Richard is well up for the show and Strictly’s producers hope he will promote it to viewers of Daybreak.
“But it will mean they also end up promoting Daybreak on Strictly — which has far more viewers.”
It is a boost Daybreak could really use because it is still struggling in the ratings despite its relaunch on Monday.
Meanwhile, CBBC actress Dani Harmer will also be taking to the dancefloor after a musical she was starring in was axed.
Touring production Disco Inferno was cancelled for financial reasons, after an investor withdrew.
Strictly bosses snapped up Dani — best known for playing kids’ favourite Tracy Beaker — in a bid to appeal to viewers with young children.
A spokesman for Dani last night denied claims by Disco Inferno’s producers that she quit to take part in the BBC1 contest.
Other contestants signed up for the new run of Strictly include two Team GB medal heroes from the London 2012 Olympics — cyclist Victoria Pendleton and gymnast Louis Smith.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/strictly_come_dancing/4524914/Breakfast-TVs-soapy-Dick-is-up-for-Strictly.html#ixzz25m6xsBGa
