Could the glitterball trophy soon be within reach for a member of the Royal Family? According to a former Strictly Come Dancing professional, two specific royals have the potential to completely transform the show's already massive appeal and create broadcasting history.
The Royal Dream Team
Erin Boag, who appeared as a professional dancer on the first ten series of the hit BBC show alongside her regular partner Anton du Beke, has revealed her ideal celebrity contestants. "It would be great to see a royal do Strictly," Boag stated, confirming she has one particular couple in mind.
She elaborated on her vision for a royal showdown, suggesting: "Mike Tindall versus Zara Tindall." While they wouldn't be the first married couple to compete, following in the footsteps of Gabby and Kenny Logan, their participation would be unprecedented for the monarchy.
Erin emphasised the need for "some really big names" to elevate the show, asserting that the Tindalls would represent a fantastic coup for Strictly Come Dancing.
The Rugby Challenge and Past Partnerships
Boag, who was often paired with sporting personalities during her time on the show, conceded that former England rugby international Mike Tindall might face challenges on the dance floor due to his physique. "Mike's quite big though," she noted, drawing from her experience. "I've danced with rugby players. One big, one nimble. It depends on their size."
She compared potential partners, recalling her time with Martin Offiah, known for his speed but also his bulk, and more nimble players like Austin Healey and Matt Dawson, whom she described as "phenomenal."
During her Strictly career, Boag achieved her best-ever score of 39 with sprinter Colin Jackson, finishing as runner-up. Her lowest score was a 21 with former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. She also danced with former footballer Peter Schmeichel and the late snooker player Willie Thorne.
A Royal Precedent and Potential Pitfalls
The idea of senior royals participating in light entertainment, however, comes with a significant cautionary tale. Palace advisors may be hesitant due to the memory of the 1987 It's a Royal Knockout event, widely considered a public relations disaster.
Conceived and organised by Prince Edward, the televised tournament featured Zara's mother, Anne, Princess Royal, and the then-Duke and Duchess of York leading teams of celebrities in silly physical challenges.
The programme was deeply unpopular with senior royals. The late Prince Philip called the show "unwise and unwelcome," telling a BBC executive, "Why doesn't Edward let the TV people get on with it and just turn up to accept the cheques? He's making us look foolish."
Renowned royal correspondent James Whitaker later described the event, which attracted an audience of over 400 million, as a "total watershed" in the public's perception of the Royal Family, stating, "If you really had to pin down where it all went wrong, I would always point to It's a Royal Knockout."
Despite this historical precedent, Erin Boag believes that if Strictly producers could successfully tempt Zara and Mike onto the show, it would undoubtedly represent one of the biggest coups in British television history, blending royal appeal with the nation's favourite dance competition.
