STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses are battling it out against I’m A Celeb’s head honchos to secure a major Olympic star for the next series.
The medal-winner “will be loved by viewers” according to sources, who claim he has been hailed the “perfect fit” for both the BBC and ITV‘s flagship shows.
MailOnline reports it is in fact Tom Daley, 27, who delighted fans as he finally won Olympic Gold at Tokyo 2020 who is the subject of the TV frenzy.
A source told the publication: “There is a race to secure Tom – both broadcasters know he will be loved by viewers.
“Strictly bosses feel sure that he will stay in the competition until very near to the end, if not the final, while ITV feels he would be perfect fit to join other celebrities in the jungle.
“Tom has a broad fanbase but is very popular with the 16 to 24 age bracket, which both the BBC and ITV are keen to keep watching their shows.”
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They added: “It’s a difficult toss-up, I’m A Celebrity would be more lucrative for Tom, but there is something so prestigious about being part of Strictly.
“Plus, you don’t have to eat disgusting animal parts in the Bushtucker Trials.”
If Tom opted for the latter, he would be following in the footsteps of his diving partner Matty Lee, who has no doubt given him some pointers.
Last year, viewers took to Twitter in their droves to comment on how “gutted” the sports star looked missing out on the final and the Celebrity Cyclone.
One penned: “Oh matty lee is so upset to go, he’s SO cute I can’t even” (sic).
“Adam and Matty both seem so sad to leave this is a sad night,” another shared.
A third commented: “Matty looks so sad he’s leaving :((“.
Prior to his show stint, Matty broke one huge ITV rule by telling Tom he was headed into the I’m A Celeb castle – when he was supposed to be sworn to secrecy.
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He was asked to take part just moments after landing in the UK from the Games, and Tom was among the first to find out.
Matty said: “When I told Tom, he was in shock too! He is so excited for me and he has always been so supportive and helped me a lot over the past three years. He gives me advice about anything whether it is relationships or whatever – I always ask Tom.”
