Editing Strictly Chiefs Consider Presenter With Down apos;s Syndrome As Contestant

bosses want George Webster, the children's TV presenter who has Down syndrome, to compete in this year's show.<br>The move follows the popularity of the series's first deaf participant,  actress , who won last year's contest.<br>One insider said: 'The  are seriously considering getting George on the show this year.<br><br>After the light that Rose shone on the deaf community after her appearance on Strictly, they want to continue to push boundaries.<br>         Strictly Come Dancing bosses want George Webster (pictured), the children's TV presenter who has Down syndrome, to compete in this year's show, insiders say<br>'There has never been a contestant with Down syndrome before and this really would be something spectacular and so important in raising awareness of the condition.'<br>Sources say BBC executives believe 21-year-old Webster would be a 'huge ray of sunshine' and also help to attract a younger audience in much the same way as his CBeebies co-star Rhys Stephenson, who reached last year's semi-finals.<br>The insider said; 'Having Rhys on the show brought new, younger viewers to the show so George would also be important for that too.<br>   RELATED ARTICLES              <br><br><br><br>Share this article<br>Share<br><br><br>'The bosses are certain that the audience will love him, but are looking at logistics. He copes really well on CBeebies, but it's whether he'd be comfortable on the dancefloor.'<br>Yorkshire-born Webster has made no secret of his desire to appear on the show.<br><br>Asked by Christine Lampard on ITV's Lorraine programme in February if he would like to take part, he replied: 'Yes, I'd love to, another dream come true.'<br>When he was announced last year as the first BBC children's presenter with Down syndrome, no mention of his condition was made on air.<br>Instead, he introduced himself as a man 'who loves to cook, sing and  [https://transviettravel.wordpress.com/2022/04/19/about-transviet/ du lich] dance'.<br><br>He soon became popular with clips showing him performing Saturday Night Fever-style dance moves.<br>         Winner: Rose Ayling-Ellis, with dance partner Giovanni Pernice during the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2021<br>He was talent-scouted by the BBC from his work as an ambassador  [https://transviettravel.wordpress.com/ how travel] for Mencap, the charity for people with learning disabilities.<br>In a video he made for the organisation, which calls him 'a mythbuster for Mencap', he said: 'I call myself George because that's who I am.<br><br>Not Down's George. I have an amazing life. It's been very positive.'<br>Paralympian amputee Jonnie Peacock was Strictly's first disabled contestant in 2017, followed a year later by Lauren Steadman, a swimmer born without her lower right arm.<br>Former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers, badly injured by a bomb blast in Afghanistan, took part in Strictly in 2020.<br>