Strictly Come Dancing's banned celebs - BBC rule, curse fears and 'embarrassing' admission

With now in full swing, the spotlight is on a host of celebrities from TV, music, presenting and social media, vying for the glitterball.

But they are the 'chosen ones' as not ever star gets the chance to take a spin on the dance floor. Indeed, some have even found themselves banned from the competition.

From concerns over dance skills, conflicts with "secret" show rules and worries over dancer/contestant affairs - the dreaded "Strictly curse", there are a string of reasons why your favourite stars are not making the cut.

So, here's a look at those who won't be gracing the ballroom floor anytime soon and why along with the barrage iof stars who have turned the BBC series down.

Louise Minchin

Former BBC Breakfast star has claimed she's "banned" from Strictly for an "embarrassing" reason. The TV presenter, 56, who co-hosted BBC Breakfast until 2021, has appeared on the likes of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Celebrity MasterChef.

But Strictly is one competition she won't step foot on. "They know I'm a terrible dancer so the possibility of being hugely embarrassing is massive," she said.

The triathlete added to The Times: "I'm banned for being embarrassing."

Jake Quickenden

Quickenden claims he is banned from the show due to an unspoken rule. The X Factor and I'm A Celebrity star shared the secret policy that has dashed his Strictly dreams.

"I'd love to do Strictly - the booker, she's not having it," he told Daily Star. "I don't think anyone has done Dancing On Ice to Strictly; it has always been Strictly to Dancing On Ice, but they need to mix it up and get me on there."

Ben Shephard

host has said he won't be able to Quick Step onto the show because his wife "doesn't want him having an affair."

Despite his long-running career as a TV presenter, Ben has been banned from Strictly by his wife Annie. Discussing the dance competition with Andi Peters, he previously stated: "Andi, I would love to do Strictly."

"As you know, I spent three years in university learning to dance," he continued. "I have a degree in dance-it doesn't make me a good dancer, obviously."

"But my wife really doesn't want me to do Strictly; I've spoken about it very publicly, but she's not interested in me having an affair. I think she's being very narrow-minded and it could be a great opportunity; who knows what could happen?" In a chat in 2022, he added: "I know the joy you get from dancing and the endorphins-so I'll never say never..."

He continued: "It would be an amazing experience. I love a bit of spangle and glamour on a Saturday night... As things stand though, that's a negotiation that needs to happen between the BBC and my wife. I can get myself into a lot of trouble here!"

Meanwhile, a string of stars have been inundated with offers to compete on the show but have turned them down.

In 2018, told The Sun about Strictly: "Dancing is not for me. They've offered me vast sums of money to go and humiliate myself on national TV. But I prefer to do it with a bottle of Jack Daniel's in the privacy of my own home."

The late EastEnders star Barbara Windsor was reportedly asked to take part in Strictly ahead of the very first season back in 2004, but according to the star, bosses of the soap "wouldn't let her."

Speaking at the Television and Radio Industry Club's Christmas Lunch in 2017, she said: "Now I'm 80, they wouldn't ask me in case I had an accident because I could sue them for a lot of money."

At 89, Mary Berry would be the oldest contestant ever to take part, but as she previously turned down a fair few chances to participate on the Strictly dance floor, it's unlikely she'll have a sudden change of heart.

Speaking to Radio Times in 2016, Mary explained: "My husband and children would kill me. I have two left feet and would make a terrible fool of myself."

Other well-known names that have refused to hit the ballroom floor include Bake Off champion Nadiya Hussain, former Bake Off star Mel Giedroyc, The X Factor's Louis Walsh, comedian Rob Brydon, presenter Fearne Cotton and Eighties heartthrob Martin Kemp.