Strictly coup as Bee Gees sign up
Strictly bosses have pulled off a major coup over fierce rival The X Factor by signing the Bee Gees. The British pop legends will sing on Strictly in their first TV performance since the death of Maurice Gibb in 2003. Surviving brothers Robin and Barry are due to appear on the BBC1 show on October 31. They will sing classic track You Should Be Dancing. And there's even talk of the Strictly's celeb dancers performing as a group to Bee Gee hits such as Night Fever, Staying Alive and Jive Talkin'.
Strictly and The X Factor - which upset fans by going head-to-head in the TV schedules - appear to be stepping up their ratings war by booking bigger and better guests. Last week Strictly tried to trump The X Factor's Robbie Williams comeback on Sunday by bagging junkie singer Amy Winehouse and her god-daughter Dionne Bromfield on Saturday.
However, The X Factor is set to triumph over the dance show this weekend. While Strictly is getting golden oldies Spandau Ballet to sing their 1980s hit Gold, Simon Cowell and Co have booked superstar Whitney Houston to sing on Sunday. X Factor is also trying to firm up a booking with queen of pop Madonna - but Strictly already has diva Mariah Carey in the bag.
A source told TV Biz: "The rivalry between the two shows is fiercer than ever this year. "There's no way they're going to share acts. If you're on Strictly you can't be on X Factor and vice-versa. Signing the Bee Gees is a huge win for Strictly. They're British music royalty and this is their first performance without Maurice. It's a blow to The X Factor but it is sure to be back with another belting name soon."
With judge Dannii Minogue's family connections, it is expected pop princess sister Kylie will take time out of her US tour to perform on the show. Barry and Robin Gibb have reunited twice on stage since Maurice's death but this is their first TV gig. (The Sun)
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