England cricket icon Stuart Broad 'in talks over Strictly Come Dancing' as details drop
England icon Stuart Broad is reportedly in talks with Strictly Come Dancing bosses
PA
England cricket icon Stuart Broad is reportedly in talks with Strictly Come Dancing bosses in the wake of his recent retirement.
The 37-year-old confirmed on Saturday that he'd be retiring from the sport after more than 15 years of playing at the highest level.
Broad played a key role as England drew 2-2 with Australia in the Ashes, taking the last two wickets of the fifth and final Test on Monday.
According to The Sun, Strictly bosses contacted Broad immediately after his heroics for England.
Stuart Broad starred for England in the recent Ashes series
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And the cricket veteran may now follow fiancee Mollie King by appearing on the show.
King featured in 2017 and Mollie reached the semis, with Holby City actor Joe McFadden eventually claiming the title.
A source is quoted as saying: “Stuart is very much the hero of the hour and a perfect choice to fill the coveted ‘sport star’ slot.
“It is a last-minute approach, but the BBC think he’s worth trying to get on board because he would be hugely popular with viewers.
"They’d be guaranteed to feature quite a few cricket-themed dances, and would almost certainly incorporate his famous bandana somehow too.
“And having Mollie supporting him in the audience week after week would be a huge bonus.”
Strictly chiefs will reportedly start confirming contestants for the next series imminently.
And with some slots still up for grabs, it's possible Broad will be persuaded into giving the show a go.
The report also says that with the England cricket star being 6ft 6in, he'd 'need a tall dance partner'.
Previous cricketers to appear on the show include Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash, who won it in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Michael Vaughan, Graeme Swann and Phil Tufnell have also got their dancing shoes on.
Coronation Street star Ellie Leach, TV host Angela Rippon and EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier are rumoured to be appearing on the show this year.
Meanwhile, Broad bowed out in the best way possible by helping England beat Australia on Monday.
And he then admitted it was a 'special' feeling, saying: "It’s been so special to walk off with a great group of friends.
“Ultimately, I wanted to leave the game loving it, and loving the environment and my memories of playing cricket are going to be pretty cool.
“Taking those last two wickets proved to me that I still loved taking wickets because I just ran around like a headless chicken.
"I still have that emotion and love for winning Test matches.
“To take a wicket to win an Ashes Test match being my final ball was something that will make me smile for the rest of my life.”
England skipper Ben Stokes then hailed Broad for his heroics.
“For me, Stuart’s more than a person I walk out with," he said.
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Stuart Broad's fiancee Mollie King appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017
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“I’ve played a lot of cricket with him, there’s only a handful of Test matches he hasn’t played in that I have done.
“When he announced his retirement and I told my wife this was going to be my last game, she was like: ‘Broady’s the one who messages me saying Ben’s got home safe after a big night out after we’ve won a Test match’
"She doesn’t have that anymore, it’ll be someone else. Probably Rooty.
“He’s an inspiration to many people who want to make a career out of cricket and being a fast bowler. He’s been incredible.
"I know people will always look back on certain moments in his career but he’s better than that. He has produced sensational moments on the field but you can’t pigeonhole him as someone who only produces certain things at certain moments, because 604 Test wickets is something he should be very proud of."
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