Strictly finalists Helen Skelton and Hamza Yassin ‘in line to bag six-figure presenting deals to keep them at the BBC’
Strictly Come Dancing stars Helen Skelton and Hamza Yassin are reportedly in line to land six-figure presenting deals to keep them at the BBC.
It is said that the broadcaster is willing to ‘splash the cash’ in a bid to keep rival channels from snapping up the pair, who’ve been ‘nurtured’ by the BBC.
It comes as Helen and Hamza – who are both favourites to lift the glitterball trophy – are set to go head-to-head in Saturday’s grand final alongside fellow competitors Molly Rainford and Fleur East.
Kerching: Strictly Come Dancing stars Helen Skelton (pictured) and Hamza Yassin are reportedly in line to land six-figure presenting deals to keep them at the BBC
Former Blue Peter star Helen, 39, and CBeebies presenter Hamza, 32, have so far sailed through the show, having avoided the dreaded dance-off unlike the other finalists.
A source told The Sun: ‘Helen are Hamza are well thought of at the BBC and the executives are delighted at how the show has boosted their profiles.
‘They’ve wanted some sensational stars to emerge in Strictly this year which is a ‘full’ show for the first time since it was scaled back by Covid two years ago.
In demand: It is said that the broadcaster is willing to ‘splash the cash’ in a bid to keep rival channels from snapping up the pair, who’ve been ‘nurtured’ by the BBC (Hamza pictured)
‘Viewers seem to have thrown their support behind Helen and Hamza in a way few other finalists have enjoyed. The Beeb are keen to build on that and make sure they stay with the BBC, which is where they’ve both developed their careers so far.’
The source went on to add that the duo are both ‘highly valued’ despite their careers being at ‘different stages’, with Helen being a well established presenter while Hamza is relatively unknown ‘at this stage’.
MailOnline have contacted representatives of Hamza, Helen and the BBC for comment.
It comes as it’s reported that Hamza is set to become the BBC’s next David Attenborough after the organisation got him a place on the dance show in a bid to make him into a household name.
Dance: ‘Helen are Hamza are well thought of at the BBC and the executives are delighted at how the show has boosted their profiles’
Making waves: ‘They’ve wanted some sensational stars to emerge in Strictly this year which is a ‘full’ show for the first time since it was scaled back by Covid two years ago’
The Daily Mail revealed executives at the Beeb arranged this after learning how popular he was with children on his CBeebies rambling show, Let’s Go For A Walk.
And they are now delighted that Yassin has become so popular with Strictly fans that he goes into the Strictly finale as the favourite to lift the glitter ball – and they have already began planning a wildlife documentary series for him to present.
A source close to the star said: ‘Some of the bosses at the BBC knew that when Hamza was revealed in the Strictly line up, few of the show’s loyal viewers would know who he was but they just knew he would end the series the most loved of all of the contestants.
Popular: It comes as it’s reported that Hamza is set to become the BBC ‘s next David Attenborough after the organisation got him a place on the dance show in a bid to make him into a household name
‘Getting him on the show was key to their end game, which is making him into another David Attenborough. Strictly has recently turned into a machine which elevates talent the BBC want to make into stars.
‘And they are absolutely thrilled that this has paid off. There are already works in the pipeline for various programmes.’
Yassin also revealed his dream to be like legendary wildlife broadcaster Attenborough, 96, after his dyslexia stopped him from going into the medical profession.
Irreplaceable: A source said: ‘Getting him on the show was key to their end game, which is making him into another David Attenborough (pictured in 2022). Strictly has recently turned into a machine which elevates talent the BBC want to make into stars’
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