Strictly bosses line up Loose Women star as first ever wheelchair-using contestant

Strictly Come Dancing have reportedly lined up Loose Women star Sophie Morgan to be the show's first ever wheelchair-using contestant.

The presenter, 38, is paralysed from the chest down following a car accident aged 18.

A source told The Sun: "She is the ideal star to take on the role. Plus, she is very glamorous so will look amazing in the sequinned costumes.

"She already has a huge fan base from Loose Women and is a huge advocate of using her platform to promote inclusivity. It’s still very early ­stages and the crew will officially start on pre-production in the coming months."

It comes after EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, 28, became Strictly’s first deaf contestant, winning the Glitterball Trophy in 2021.

Former Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, also 28, proved a success on last year’s series.

The added: "Producers have seen the effect Rose and Ellie had on the show and believe Sophie would be the perfect fit."

OK! has contacted the BBC for a comment, but they declined to comment.

They continued to say how Strictly has fast become 'one of the most progressive shows on television', with the programme repeatedly 'pushing the boundaries' when it comes to diversity and inclusion.

As well as Rose and Ellie, Paralympian Jonnie Peacock became the very first disabled contestant to take part back in 2017.

Strictly featured a group routine in 2018 where the pros performed with wheelchair-users who spun around and were lifted in the air.

Sophie has previously been open about her disability, saying: “Non-disabled and disabled have very different experiences. It does feel like two different lives.

"The person I became after my injury is very different to the person I was. I’ve grown up, obviously, as I was a kid, but those two realities, personalities, identities definitely feel very split.”

The news of Sophie possibly joining the Strictly line up comes after the star was left stranded at Heathrow airport last month after British Airways damaged her wheelchair.

The TV presenter explained in a video at the time: "Landed at Heathrow with a bang.

"Someone – no one took responsibility – decided to attach my wheelchair and my batec (battery-powered attachment) whilst in transit (they were checked in separately, in two parts, unattached) and they have done so a) without permission and b) COMPLETELY WRONG!!!"

She continued: "It took over half an hour to ‘break’ them apart, all that time I had to sit on an aisle chair that was NOT safe and I didn’t know if I would be able to get back into my chair.

"Eventually, they broke them apart and I got back into my chair and reattached the batec but it’s not safe to use.

"I then discovered more damage. And what was I told to do by BRITISH AIRWAYS!? Send an email via the website.

"This has GOT TO STOP. Thousands of chairs are damaged by airlines every year. It’s #JustPlaneWrong."

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