Strictly bosses don’t want former Royal butler Paul Burrell on the show as they worry about upsetting the Palace, insiders on the show claim


Queen Camilla meets dancer Johannes Radebe, a star on Strictly come Dancing(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Strictly bosses have vetoed Paul Burrell appearing on Strictly Come Dancing – as they’re worried about upsetting Queen Camilla. Sources claim the former Royal butler has been mooted as a possible contestant over the last few years.

But execs fear it would land badly with the Palace and have dismissed the idea. A source told us: “They know how much Queen Camilla loves the show and would love for her to appear in the audience…..but they fear that Paul’s involvement would scupper that relationship.”

Burrell has previously faced accusations that he has cashed in on his relationship with the late Princess of Wales, which he has denied. But the BBC show does have strong links with the Palace.

Queen Camilla, who attends Silver Swans – classes for elderly ballet dancers run by the Royal Academy of Dance – has described herself as one of the show’s “greatest fans”.

Diana, The Princess Of Wales, In London with Paul Burrell, in 1994(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)

She once told Strictly professional dancer Johannes Radebe ‘we all watch it’. Host Tess Daly’s husband Vernon Kay has previously talked of the ‘real friendship’ that has formed between his wife and Her Majesty, with the Queen even keen to know what goes on behind-the-scenes.

Kay, 51, said: “Camilla and Tess have a real friendship through it now. They don’t text, but we have mutual friends and messages come through. When they see each other, the Queen is always asking: ‘Who is your favourite?’ She wants to know the backstage gossip.

“It’s crazy to think of the King and Queen sat on the sofa with a brew watching your wife present Strictly.”

Camilla also hosted a palace tea party for Strictly where she danced with former professional Brendan Cole and also filmed a video message for the 2020 final, which was won by Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse.

Many pointed to the fact that Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Daly were this month recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. Winkleman, 53, and 56-year-old Daly have co-hosted the series since 2014.