Strictly bosses want a celebrity wheelchair-user for this year's show after ... trends now
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Strictly is to feature a celebrity wheelchair-user for the first time in this year’s series line-up, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
BBC chiefs are currently casting around for a star to take part as the popular Saturday-night dance competition continues to be the most inclusive on television.
They had initially hoped to make it happen last year but producers ran out of time to train a professional dancer to pair with the celebrity so had to put it off until the forthcoming series.
The decision comes after the popularity of the show’s first deaf participant, EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who won the contest in 2022 and Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, who made it to week six last year.
A BBC source revealed: ‘This is an extremely challenging project but one that Strictly bosses think is worth it and believe it is going to be absolutely brilliant.
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The push for further inclusion comes after the popularity of Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, who made it to week six last year
The decision comes after the popularity of the show’s first deaf participant, EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who won the contest in 2022
‘It is yet another example of how progressive and inclusive the programme is. As well as creating some wonderful television moments, it will also give an amazing opportunity to someone in a wheelchair.
‘The original plan was that it would happen last year but the logistics are very difficult and to get a professional dancer trained and ready to take this on meant more work than was
