Darcy 'to replace Alesha'

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Ballet star tipped to appear on Strictly panel...

Darcy Bussell is to replace Alesha Dixon on Strictly Come Dancing, it has been claimed.

The former Royal Ballet principal ballerina will apparently replace the ex-Misteeq singer as a judge on the BBC One reality show, after Dixon quit to join Britain’s Got Talent.

Bussell has signed a deal worth £100,000 to join the panel, according to The Sun, although it is not the first time she has used her expertise to judge on the show.

The 42-year-old British dancer temporarily joined the judging panel three years ago as a guest judge, so show bosses were said to be confident with their choice.

An insider reportedly told the newspaper:

"She took some convincing as it means uprooting and being in cold, wet and windy England for four months instead of sunny Sydney.

"But she said the Strictly job is probably the one thing that would bring her back. We're delighted to have her on board."

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hardy, choreographer Karen Bruce and comedian Miranda Hart had all been linked to the role.

Dixon quit the show last year after landing a deal to join Britain’s Got Talent. The deal was rumoured to be worth £350,000, a significant increase on her Strictly pay.