BBC Strictly stars who left show but teasing return – tribute plan to ‘one condition’

Strictly Come Dancing is no stranger to drama, and it seems that even former stars can’t resist the allure of the glittering ballroom.

From Brendan Cole’s touching tribute plans to the late Len Goodman to Arlene Phillips addressing comeback rumors, this article dives deep into the secrets and desires of past Strictly personalities who are itching to make a comeback. Amy Dowden, despite her ongoing battle with chemotherapy, is gearing up for a triumphant return, and Kevin Clifton, the bad boy of ballroom, has dropped a shocker about his potential return.

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And then there’s the ever-enigmatic Bruno Tonioli, who left fans gobsmacked with a surprise Christmas performance. Could he be waltzing back onto the dancefloor? Daily Star is peeling back the sequined curtain to reveal the hopes, dreams, and possible returns of these Strictly legends.

Brendan Cole

Brendan Cole expressed his desire to return for a group dance featuring past and present professionals in honour of the former judge, Len Goodman, who passed away this year.

He suggested a tribute involving ex-professionals, but with a touch of humor. He said: “The nicest thing Strictly could do would be to do a really big group number maybe even with the ex pros to come back.” Following Len Goodman’s passing at the age of 78 due to bone cancer in April, Brendan Cole remembered him as a “kind and brilliant” man who “lit up the screen.”

“I’m not suggesting for myself, I’m not sure I’d be allowed in the building but to do some form of tribute. “Because he made the show. So something like that with (wife) Sue there in the audience. I don’t know….something nice. If I was the exec producer that’s what I’d be doing. That’s why I’m not the exec producer!”

Cole appeared in the first 15 series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, until announcing in January 2018 that his contract had not been renewed. It came after several bust-ups with the judges including Shirley Ballas.

Arlene Phillips

Arlene Phillips, an original judge on the show, addressed rumours about returning to the judging panel amid whispers she could be back on the series one day.

The star stated that she doesn’t think the show would ask her back and “it’s not something on my radar.” Addressing the ongoing speculation she spilled: “I don’t think for a minute they would ask me, so I wouldn’t even think about it!

“It’s not even on my radar. I only think about things that are possible, not something that isn’t going to happen.” On whether she still watches Strictly, Arlene said she’s currently too busy for the latest series.

“I will watch it at some point but right now I can’t get invested in it,” she added to OK! Magazine. The choreographer was succeeded by Alesha Dixon, 42, after she won the show in 2007.

Her exit at the time sparked an ageism and sexism row, as her three male colleagues stayed on the show.

Amy Dowden

Amy Dowden expressed her hope of returning to Strictly Come Dancing amid her chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer earlier this year.

She eagerly anticipates rejoining her fellow professionals and watching the live shows until she can make her comeback. Sharing this update, the Welsh ballroom star posted a photo of herself in a promotional shot for the BBC dance competition, just one day after shaving her natural hair in an emotional Instagram video.

In the image, adorned in a stunning gold sequin frock, Amy wrote: “Happy live show day @bbcstrictly. Wishing the entire team a fabulous show, and I know it’s going to be amazing! I’ve been kept up to date with the pros and a few sneaky FaceTimes! Literally can’t wait to watch and support you all. Hopefully, I’ll be there in a few weeks,” she added.

Kevin Clifton

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Former Strictly professional Kevin Clifton, who left the show in 2020, may stage a comeback, thanks to an unexpected twist.

English wrestler Will Ospreay’s playful comment about joining the dance competition led Clifton to declare: “I would return if Will Ospreay signs up for the show.” This surprising revelation sent fans abuzz. While not rejoining the main Strictly stage, the 40-year-old dancer has landed a new role as the resident choreography expert on the spin-off series, Strictly: It Takes Two.

Joanne Clifton, Kevin’s sister and former Strictly winner, usually fills the dance expert role on It Takes Two. This year, the “Choreography corner” becomes a family affair, with Fleur East playfully remarking: “Choreography corner is a family affair this year, isn’t it Joanne?”

Joanne humorously responded: “Yes, it’s someone called Kevin, don’t know. if you know him, he came second in 2016 when I won.” Kevin Clifton’s departure from Strictly in 2020 after seven “wonderful years” shocked fans.

Yet, his recent social media throwback post with former partner Susanna Reid reveals his enduring connection to the show. He wrote, “Debuting on @bbcstrictly 10 yrs ago w @susannareid100. I’m in the USA at the moment and can’t watch the show. Tell me everything!!”

Bruno Tonioli

Former judge Bruno Tonioli, who left the show in May last year, shocked fans when he returned to Strictly Come Dancing for a special Christmas singing performance.

He has also indicated a possibility of returning to the show in the future, although he mentioned that the situation is currently too complicated due to his commitments in the US. Bruno had been juggling his role on the BBC dancing show with his stateside judging gig on Dancing With The Stars since 2005 and it was simply exhausting him.

Following his departure from Strictly, Bruno said he “just can’t do the 10-hour flights anymore and was done.” While fans speculate he could return yet again, earlier this year, the star claimed: “you never know”.

In an interview with MailOnline, he said: “Well I always will miss it, it’s my family, but I mean we’ll always be friends and you never know what’s going to happen. “At the moment, you know it’s just as impossible, you know the situation is too complicated but they’re all my brothers and sisters.”

But offering hope for Strictly fans he added: “You know what’s going to happen, no one knows what’s going to happen in the future.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk