I don't mind Jamelia, she seems quite nice and she undoubtedly has a fine pair, but I can't see the beeb offering her obscene amounts of money somehow. She's not exactly high profile, even compared to some of the other never-were's they have on.

She was lined up (with Kelly) to dance on Season 4 of DWTS but both dropped out when Sharon decided against it. She was eventually replaced by Heather Mills (if the rumours at the time are to be believed)

Tim Henman said he would rather stick pins in his eyes than do it. Early on (before BBC got Match of the Day back) there was a rumour that Gary Lineker was asked and said no very vehemently.

Sharon was asked. She's mentioned it in interviews, she felt it would be disloyal to X Factor to do it.

From what is said of his personality,I would guess he would have said yes just to prove it could be done.

Richard Fairley (ex Dragon's Den), John Humphries and Alistair Campbell have turned it down. I believe Jennifer Saunders has as well.

Hardly a big name celeb but I read an interview with Alex Gerrard (Steven's wife) who'd turned an offer for Strictly (and other reality shows) down.

Did they give him a grilling ?

Noel Edmonds set on Deal or No Deal that he'd declined several times

Awww I quite like Noel Edmonds, that would be quite amusing as well. I'm amazed they wouldn't want Becky Adlington on it, not like they're shy on quotas. I mean are there any breakfast tv hosts who haven't been on it? I notice they've stopped nicking Eastenders actors after Scott Maslen broke the mould and took to nicking Waterloo Road actors instead.

The Kirstie and Phil idea is inspired! I'm also holding out for Alan Hansen/Shearer/Lawro turning up. I would actually pay my TV licence twice just to see that

I meant in the sense that there seems to be a little bit of bad blood between some of the scd crew and Alesha because of her jumping ship to BGT... I didn't know if being aware of that would make Jamelia feel awkward.

Julie Walters turned down Strictly according to the Daily Mail yesterday

I'd love Mel and Sue to do it, even just one of the specials. Especially if they partnered Sue with one of the girls. That would be a moment of primetime TV

I am pretty sure Jeremy Paxman and Stephen Fry have both spoken on the radio about being against doing it, though I am not sure if they were asked.

I suppose it depends what you call obscene amounts of money.
She did say they offered her enough to buy a house.

Chris Tarrant was always being rumoured as appearing and never did. I wonder if he turned them down. William G. Stewart was approached and auditioned then there some problem with insurance, not sure what the full story was.

I think they should get the ginger guy who's part of the SCD production team to participate. He's a celeb thanks to Monkseal's blog.

I thought "Turned down Strictly" was just part of the PR promotional arsenal, as a tawdry means of promoting something else.

A Comedian on Tour during Strictly rumours season in the summer will announce that they "turned down strictly" in order to do their tour "for their fans".

Every X-factor and BGT wannabee has apparently "turned down Strictly", which of course just comes from the PR dept of Cowell-and-his-evil-minions.
Although this year they were strangely quiet during the Summer rumour season.