New Strictly feud as BBC star snubs castmate just days before launch show
A FRESH Strictly Come Dancing feud has emerged just days before the show’s launch.
A former Olympian turned Gladiators star, who is part of the 2024 celebrity line-up, appears to have snubbed DIY SOS host Nick Knowles, 61, on social media.
Montell Douglas, 38, fails to follow the BBC favourite back on Instagram, despite him following her on the platform.
It comes after she hit the follow button on all of her fellow contestants except for the home renovation show anchor.
Montell is also following a number of the Strictly Come Dancing‘s professional dancers and crew members including make up artist Lisa Armstrong.
The snub comes after Nick sparked rumours of another potential feud between him and Eastenders star Jamie Borthwick after fans noticed that he had snubbed the soap favourite on Instagram.
The social media oversight has led to speculation of a possible rift between the two.
It comes after the DIY SOS star revealed he is too exhausted from training to consider the Strictly Come Dancing curse.
He said: “I barely have the energy to walk out to the car afterwards. The Strictly curse isn’t an issue.
“I did a day’s training yesterday, and I literally crawled out to the car and sat with my feet in a bath of cold water for an hour when I got home.”
Meanwhile, Montell broke her silence on her reasons for joining the show.
The sports ace, who competed in the 100m sprint and the bobsled, exclusively told us she has high hopes for her chances.
She said: “It’s [Strictly] been at the absolute top of my list from the beginning of time, I always said there was one show that I could do.
“When I was little I really wanted to dance – I completely had to stop dancing to commit to being an athlete, and the Olympic Games.
“But now I’ve hung up my sprinting shoes, got some heels and some glitter and I’m just excited to get out there.
“I’m used to having to be able to perform, especially now being in front of the cameras, so I’ve got that with some waves ready, all the glitz and glamour
Who's confirmed for Strictly 2024?
WITH Strictly's 20th anniversary special airing in September, The Sun takes a look at which celebs have been confirmed for the new series:
- EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick.
- Athlete Tom Dean is a three-time Olympic champion.
- X Factor winner and former Corrie star Shayne Ward.
- Miranda star Sarah Hadland.
- Gladiators star Montell Douglas AKA Fire.
- Football pundit Paul Merson.
- DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles.
- Olympic hero Sam Quek.
- Towie legend Pete Wicks.
- Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
- Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan.
- 80s legend and singer Toyah Willcox.
- Opera singer Wynne Evans.
- JLS singer JB Gill.
- Blind comedian Chris McCausland.
“It’s tough work, but I’m ready. I’m ready for this. I’m feverish.”
Just last month, fans thought she had let slip the identity of her professional dance partner.
It remains to be seen if she will be paired with the star during this weekend’s launch show, which marks the 20th anniversary for the BBC series.