Chris Evans 'quits Strictly again' as new series draws closer

Chris Evans has reportedly walked away from Strictly Come Dancing for a second time by quitting the show again.

The radio host had said at the end of 2018 that he would be taking part in the next series of the BBC dancing contest, but apparently he has now decided to step away from the show - the second time he’s had to drop out.

In December 2018, Evans told The One Show: “I have said ‘Yes.’

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“Everyone puts it off and tries to keep it a secret. No, announce now. We’re doing it now.”

He added that he’d even met the show’s commissioning editor Jo Wallace: “We had a cup of tea and she said, ‘Are you up for it?’ It’s not as easy as maybe you imagine.’ But I know it isn’t.”

As recently as April, Evans welcomed Strictly dancer Kevin Clifton as a guest on his Virgin Radio show and told him: “I’ve got my contract.

“I’ve got to go for a medical because I’ve got a dodgy left knee so I can run on it.

“I can go straight but I have an issue with my knee so that could be a problem.”

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However a source has now confirmed to Yahoo UK that although Evans had been hoping to step onto the dancefloor, it won’t be happening in 2019.

It’s said to be the second time Evans has had to pull out at the last minute, as apparently he had been sent a contract in 2015, but decided to turn it down in favour of hosting Top Gear instead.

BBC news anchor Huw Edwards and Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin are both rumoured to be in consideration for the 2019 series, which is due to start in around eight weeks’ time.

Evans’ representative has been contacted for comment.