With Strictly Come Dancing 2024 in full swing, the spotlight is on a host of celebrities from TV, music, presenting and social media, vying for the glittery ball.

But they are the “chosen ones”, because the stars never get the chance to take a turn on the dance floor. In fact, some have even found themselves banned from the competition.

From concerns over dance skills, to conflicts with the show’s “secret” rules, to concerns over relationships between dancers and contestants – the dreaded “Strictly Curse”, there is a series reasons why your favorite stars are not selected.

So, here’s a look at who won’t be hitting the ballroom anytime soon and why, with the barrage of stars who have transformed the BBC series down.

Louise Minchin

Ancient BBC Breakfast star Louise Minchin claimed she was “banned” from Strictly for an “embarrassing” reason. The TV presenter, 56, who co-hosted BBC Breakfast until 2021, appeared on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and Celebrity MasterChef.

But Strictly is one competition she won’t set foot on. “They know I’m a really bad dancer, so the possibility of being extremely embarrassing is huge,” she said.

The triathlete added to The Times: “I’m banned because I was embarrassing.”

Jake Quickenden

Quickenden claims he is banned from the BBC show because of an unwritten rule. The X Factor and I’m A Celebrity star shared the secret BBC policy that crushed her Strictly dreams.

“I would love to do Strictly – the booker doesn’t have it,” he told the Daily Star. “I don’t think anyone has done Dancing On Ice too strictly; it’s always been Strictly to Dancing On Ice, but they need to mix things up and put me in there.”

Ben Shepard

This Morning host Ben Shephard has said he won’t be able to go on Quick Step because his wife “doesn’t want him to have an affair”.

Despite his long career as a TV presenter, Ben was banned from Strictly by his wife Annie. Discussing the dance competition with Andi Peters, he previously said: “Andi, I would love to do Strictly.”

“As you know, I spent three years in college learning to dance,” he continued. “I have a degree in dance, that doesn’t make me a good dancer, obviously.”

“But my wife really doesn’t want me to do it Strictly; I’ve been very public about it, but she’s not interested in me having an affair. I think she’s very narrow-minded and that this could be a great opportunity; who knows what could happen? » During a conversation in 2022, he added: “I know the joy that dance gives you and the endorphins, so I will never say never.. .”

He continued: “It would be an incredible experience. I love a bit of glitz and glamor on a Saturday night… As it stands, it’s a negotiation that needs to take place between the BBC and my wife. I can get into a lot of trouble here! »

Meanwhile, a string of stars were inundated with offers to take part in the show but turned them down.

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

The delay EastEnders Star Barbara Windsor was reportedly invited to take part in Strictly before the very first season in 2004, but according to the star, soap bosses “didn’t let her”.

Speaking at the Television and Radio Industry Club 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 sued for a lot of money.”

At 89 years old, Marie Berry would be the oldest contestant to ever take part, but as she has already turned down several chances to take part on the Strictly dance floor, she is unlikely to suddenly change her mind.

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

Other well-known names who have refused to tread the ballroom include Bake Off champion Nadiya Hussain, former Bake Off star Mel Giedroyc, X Factor’s Louis Walsh, comedian Rob Brydon, presenter Fearne Cotton and 80s idol Martin Kemp.