Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
]]]]>]]>
Katy Brand has criticised Strictly Come Dancing bosses after taking to the dance floor during the show’s 2012 Christmas Special.
The comedian, 47, who was partnered with Anton Du Beke and came second to last on the leaderboard with her Viennese Waltz, claimed to have been fed jokes by producers which she refused to say on camera.
Katy, who most recently penned the script to Netflix’s Thursday Murder Club, also said fellow competitor Dame Sheila Hancock, 93, flatly refused to say that her Strictly stint was ‘role I have been dreaming of all my life’ after it was suggested by bosses
Taking to Instagram she said: ‘When I did Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, I was asked by the producer filming the VT interest interview package to say: “I live to make people laugh” and also: “When I heard I was doing a Viennese Waltz, I was confused, because I thought that was a biscuit”‘.
‘And friends, I flatly refused to say either of those things on camera. So I want you to be inspired by this to that that you too can control your brand messaging as you see fit’.
Katy captioned the post: ‘I would also like to share that Dame Sheila Hancock told me the same producer wanted her to say, “this is the role I have been dreaming of all my life” and Dame Sheila just looked at her and said: “Darling, I’ve played Lady Macbeth” I hope she doesn’t mind me telling you that. I adored her’.
Daily Mail have contacted BBC and Dame Sheila Hancock’s representatives for comment.
It comes after BBC bosses were said to be holding Strictly Come Dancing presenting auditions this week with nine stars set to battle it out.
Following ex hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly quitting the hit series last year, the BBC are on the hunt for a new presenting line-up to bring a fresh take to the show.
Now, nine shortlisted stars are set to go head-to-head as they have been summoned to a top-secret location in London to battle it out in full-scale dress rehearsals with a judging panel and live band.
BBC bosses will be holding the secret auditions and chemistry tests with the huge celebrities from Monday until Friday and have forced the stars to sign strict NDAs to keep the tryouts under wraps.
A source told The Sun: ‘It’s not just about reading autocue. They’ll be looking at how people work together and humour is a massive part of it. There’s everything to play for.’
The chosen few who have been called to the final test will be watched closely and bosses are hoping to make a decision soon.
Among those confirmed to be stepping into the spotlight are Rylan Clark, Emma Willis, Tom Allen, podcast host Angela Scanlon and One Show presenter Alex Jones.
Other stars summoned to the tryouts are This Morning host Alison Hammond, The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh, RuPaul’s Drag Race star La Voix and Radio 2’s Zoe Ball.
A source said: ‘They really want to bring the fun this year. It’s all about chemistry who clicks instantly and can keep the energy up live on air.
‘They could stick with two female hosts as that’s worked brilliantly. But they’re also open to mixing it up.
‘If Rylan and Tom Allen click, that could be a hilarious pairing. Equally, they could even introduce a third presenter to shake things up.’
Bosses are believed to be testing a range of combinations and nothing is off the table.
Daily Mail have contacted the BBC representatives for comment.