Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Vincent Simone has called for Miranda Hart or Alan Carr to join the show in 2027, saying the current series is "lacking" in comedy.
Simone, 47, was a professional on the BBC Saturday night show from 2006 until 2012. He said comedienne Miranda Hart would be the "perfect" person to take to the dancefloor, fresh from her appearance on Celebrity Traitors. He also suggested Alan Carr, who won Claudia Winkleman's game show in 2025, would bring much-needed comedy to the programme.
Simone: Show needs more comedy celebrities
Speaking to Paddy Power Games, Simone said: "Alison Hammond has done the show already! Every time they just dance around each other in a circle, jumping like two kids. Every year we used to have a comedy celebrity, maybe two, and I think that's lacking a little bit this year."
He added: "It'd be nice to have someone really flamboyant. Someone like Alan Carr would be hilarious to watch. Or Miranda Hart. Miranda would be perfect; she would be loved."
Simone's Strictly history and Hart's health journey
During his time on the show, Simone danced with EastEnders stars Louisa Lytton and Natalie Cassidy, Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer, and reached the final with S Club singer Rachel Stevens in 2008. In 2011, he was partnered with former Conservative MP Edwina Currie, but they were the first pair eliminated that year.
Miranda Hart is a known Strictly fan. In 2024, when her former co-star Sarah Hadland appeared on the programme, Hart was often seen in the audience supporting her. Her Celebrity Traitors appearance followed a lengthy showbiz break, during which she was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome. She was later diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2020, and just over a year ago ruled out taking part in Strictly while continuing to recover.
In an Instagram video, Hart told followers: "That's another reason I couldn't do Strictly, heavens. The whole Lyme disease and chronic illness conditions, if you are a fellow sufferer then you know that it is one day at a time with recovery."
Carr's hosting stance
Alan Carr was among the names reportedly considered to replace long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In the end, bosses chose Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe for the roles. Carr recently explained why he asked not to be considered.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Carr said: "I didn't turn it down; I was just clumped with everyone and had to say: 'No, don't put me in the mix.' I love watching Strictly, but I don't love it enough. People are always moaning there aren't new, fresh faces on TV. Well, wouldn't it be amazing to give it to a young person who absolutely adores Strictly and dancing? If I rock up on it, they'll go: 'Oh, here he is again.' Why waste it on me? I don't really know the dances. I'd be like: 'Oh, here they go again, that dance with the legs.'"
