Strictly Come Dancing to avoid ‘old duffers’ this year?

Strictly Come Dancing

is reportedly looking to cut back on the number of older contestants taking part this year.

In previous years the show has featured celebrities of all ages, with senior contestants like John Humphreys and Ann Widdecombe finding success with their entertaining routines.

However, recent series have seen more mature competitors like Paul Daniels and Edwina Currie eliminated early.

In order to make the show “more entertaining”, the show’s producers are now said to want to avoid casting senior celebrities altogether.

“Bosses say signing so-called ‘old duffers’ is a waste of time because they never have a chance of winning,” a ‘source’ apparently told The Sun. “They are never very good.”

“The critical detail now will be that each star on the dancefloor has a chance of actually winning the show. It’s not hard to see a pattern. The thinking is that if there are no weak links in the line-up, it will make it more entertaining,” the ‘source’ added.

In 2009 the BBC inadvertently provoked a discussion about ageism within the media after Arlene Phillips, then 66, was removed from the Strictly judging panel and replaced by the much younger Alesha Dixon.

Earlier this week, The Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge became the first celebrity confirmed for the 12th series of the Saturday night dance contest – read more here. Former Attitude cover stars Thom Evans and Mark Wright are also rumoured to be competing on the new series.