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Anita Rani calls for a 'non-dancer' to replace Darcey Bussell on 'Strictly Come Dancing'

Anita Rani (Credit: Grant Pollard/Invision/AP)
Anita Rani (Credit: Grant Pollard/Invision/AP)

Countryfile presenter Anita Rani has called for a ‘non-dancer’ to replace Dame Darcey Bussell on Strictly Come Dancing.

In an interview with Express.co.uk, Rani insisted that the BBC One dancing show should hire someone who “reflects what the audience are saying”.

“I think they should have a complete non-dancer to replace her who just reflects on what the audience are saying,” she said. “Someone with completely no dance experience.

“I think it should be a non-dancer because all of us watch it on TV and end up shouting at the TV saying we don’t see what you see and maybe someone can just tell it how it is.”

Read more: James Cracknell tipped to join 'Strictly Come Dancing' following separation from wife Beverley Turner

Dame Darcey Bussell stepped down from the BBC One show in April after serving as a judge for seven series (Credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Dame Darcey Bussell stepped down from the BBC One show in April after serving as a judge for seven series (Credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Rani added that she’d like to see a woman replace Bussell on the judging panel and, according to the Express, she favours Nicole Scherzinger, who has previously been backed by former professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff.

However, the former Pussycat Doll singer recently confirmed that she’s joined the panel of judges for Australia’s Got Talent.

Rani went on to reflect on her first time on Strictly, in which she reached the semi-finals of the competition, claiming she “didn’t care about the feedback” from the judges.

“It’s an an entertainment show at the end of the day, they’re going to say what they want to say,” she said.

Anita Rani with dancing partner Gleb Savchenko during Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2016 (Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Anita Rani with dancing partner Gleb Savchenko during Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2016 (Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

Read more: 'Strictly Come Dancing' star Anton du Beke says he would be 'delighted' to replace Darcey Bussell as judge

On the criticisms she received throughout the show, she said: “I don’t mind, I took it quite well.

However, the presenter did admit that she often ended up in tears due to her intense training.

“I did cry but not because of the judges. I was crying because I was training so hard,” she said.

Rani is now set to co-host BBC One’s War on Plastics alongside Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, in which the two presenters investigate our flawed recycling system.