The BBC are reportedly prepared to spend more than £100,000 in order to convince Radio 1 DJ Maya Jama to take part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
The 25-year-old - ex-girlfriend of rapper Stormzy - was a relative unknown until joining Radio 1 in 2018 and currently presents the 10am to 1pm slot on Fridays and Saturdays.
Producers are said to be determined to get Strictly on the air as usual this September despite the ongoing threat of the coronavirus pandemic and are thought to have a larger budget than usual in order to tempt celebrities to take part.
According to The Mirror, that budget will include a six-figure offer for Jama, who has also hosted The Circle and the MOBO Awards.
"Maya ticks every box," a source told the newspaper. "She is young, beautiful, popular, bright, talented and has a big social media following.
"To get her this year would be a real coup. They have a six-figure fee on the table."
Other names in the frame include RuPaul Charles, Michelle Keegan and Catherine Tate.
Neil Wilkes
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