Louise Minchin eyeing Strictly spot after husband lifts 'ban'

BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin is finally ready to compete in Strictly Come Dancing after her husband lifted his "lifetime ban" on her appearing on the show.

The TV host is one of the favourites with the bookmakers to join the lineup for this year's edition amid rumours Strictly chiefs have earmarked her for a slot on the BBC dance contest.

And she has admitted that signing up is now a possibility after her spouse, David, dropped his prohibition on her appearing.

"The other day on Breakfast Dan (Walker) mentioned it and I said the line that I've said for many years that I'm on a 'lifetime ban' from my family and my husband texted and said 'ban lifted,'" she said while hosting the Her Spirit podcast.

Her guest, BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, encouraged her to go through with plans to sign up, saying: "You would be brilliant, you've got rhythm and viewers would love you because they do already. And you're competitive in a healthy way."

Carol previously appeared on the show with dance partner Pasha Kovalev in 2015.

The 52-year-old would have no problems keeping up with her partner as she competes as an amateur triathlete, but revealed another reason she is yet to appear is her close friendship with former judge Darcy Bussell.

"The other reason I used to say no is because Darcy was one of my best friends so obviously I couldn't go on when she was a judge - but now Oti (Mabuse) is judged by her sister," she explained.

Louise will also have time on her hands this autumn, as last month she announced she would be leaving BBC Breakfast after 20 years "some time after the summer".

Asked what she planned to do next, she added: "Anybody who watches will be very well aware my passion is endurance sport, and I will absolutely continue to do that. I've got lots of really exciting adventures planned. I'm trying to write a book about that as well."