Row erupts over Strictly star Whittle
The BBC has dismissed reports that 'Hollyoaks' star Ricky Whittle will have an unfair advantage on 'Strictly Come Dancing' this year.
Whittle, 27, already has previous dance experience after appearing on BBC's 'Let's Dance For Comic Relief' in February. The charity show saw the soap star being trained by Strictly's choreographer Richard Marcel.
An insider told The Mirror: "Not only has the BBC failed to mention that Ricky is already a very good dancer, but they've kept quiet that he's even worked with Strictly's choreographer in the past.
"Under Marcel's guidance, he put in a stunning performance. It's really unfair as all the contestants are supposed to be total novices."
However, the corporation has insisted that Whittle's performance of Footloose on the programme required different skills to those needed for Strictly's dances.
A spokesman explained: "Ricky took part in Let's Dance but it was not Latin or ballroom and he trained for just 15 hours. Some of Strictly's contestants have some limited dance experience but none are professional dancers."
Whittle recently admitted that he is keen to "win and go far" on the hit TV contest.
