BBC and ITV ‘at war’ over Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celebrity line-ups
GMB’s Susanna Reid calls Strictly ‘snobby’
The BBC and ITV are reportedly fighting over their biggest stars “jumping ship” to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Strictly Come Dancing.
Paperwork details ITV’s stance on its stars appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and the conditions the talent faces.
“All television appearances will also be subject to consideration of ITV’s commercial interests, especially whether the show might compete against ITV’s programmes, impact on ITV’s ratings and therefore damage ITV’s commercial interests,” it reads.
“As a general rule, we will support shows on ITV and productions from ITV Studios.”
The paperwork, which was seen by The Sun, concluded: “For example, we’d say no to an artiste appearing on Strictly but are likely to support an artiste appearing on I’m A Celebrity.”
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It comes after reports This Morning presenter Josie Gibson signed up to take part in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! over Strictly Come Dancing.
Meanwhile, Coronation Street star Ellie Leach, who played Faye Windass on the ITV soap, reportedly signed up for Strictly Come Dancing last week, months after leaving the cobbles.
A source said: “Loyalty in TV doesn’t exist in quite the same way it used to and the golden handcuff contracts of old are few and far between.
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“Reality shows are really the last battleground and channels obviously want to try to retain their viewers’ favourites for their own programmes.
“We saw that last week with ITV winning over Josie Gibson.”
It’s understood, the BBC has a similar rule to ITV limiting which employees can go on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC and ITV, with the BBC declining to comment.
Rumours have been circulating in recent weeks about which stars will be signing up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
They include former Love Islander Zara McDermott, newsreader Angela Rippon, Rylan Clark and Lioness Jill Scott.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is due to return to ITV this winter and will, once again, be hosted by Geordie duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.
The official line-up for both programmes will be announced in due course by ITV and the BBC.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to air on BBC One this autumn on a date yet to be confirmed.