Is Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle set for Strictly?

Is Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle set for Strictly?
Is Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle set for Strictly?

Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle is reportedly being considered for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, according to The Sun. The paper claims that show producers are eyeing a number of Olympic athletes in line for the show, following the popularity of the games. And they have reportedly set their sights on Beth - who is due to retire after London 2012 - although she has yet to sign up. "The bosses have made it clear their priority is to secure as many London 2012 names as possible," a source told the paper. "The Games are the biggest event of the year and they want to reflect that by getting some big sporting names on board. "The attitude is that if someone has a gold medal we should be considering them. But securing Beth would be a big coup. She is a popular member of the British team and her retirement leaves her able to consider other projects." If Beth - considered the most successful British gymnast of all time - does sign up for the show, she would join a line-up rumoured to include the likes of Fern Britton, Charlie Brooks, cricketer Michael Vaughn and snooker ace Ronnie O'Sullivan. The series is set to return in the autumn.

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.