Entertainment

Fans want pint-sized Aston Merrygold to dance with Strictly’s Janette Manrara

The short star could be pairing up with another petite person on the series this year.
The short star could be pairing up with another petite person on the series this year.

Fans of pint-sized pop star Aston Merrygold have started to suggest which professional he will be paired with on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The former JLS star was confirmed as the eighth celebrity to be taking part in the new series on BBC Radio 1’s Scott Mills show, during which he spoke about his diminutive stature.

Asked who he wanted to be partnered with, Merrygold said: “Honestly, I just want the shortest dancer. I’m not the tallest bloke.

Janette Manrara
(Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive/PA Images)
Janette Manrara (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

“I’d look a bit odd if I had a 6ft goddess trampling around me!”

Listeners quickly took to Twitter to share their ideas over who he could be partnered with, and “pocket rocket” Strictly pro Janette Manrara was a popular choice.

One person said: “Aston is small as well so i guess that’s janette’s partner sorted then #strictly.”

Another said: “Aston will defo get janette.”

“Immediately I see our gorgeous pocket rocket @JManrara being partnered with @AstonMerrygold anyone else or is it just me @bbcstrictly,” one tweeter wrote.

Other fans have cited Chloe Hewitt as Merrygold’s potential dance partner.

“Aston Merrygold 8th contestant announced – with his height will be either Janette or Chloe – my guess Chloe,” one suggested.

Manrara has previously danced with Julien Macdonald, Jake Wood, Peter Andre and Melvin Odoom.

Hewitt joined the show last year although did not partner up with any celebrity, instead acting as a standby for the other pro dancers.

Merrygold’s involvement also seems to have encouraged a new group of fans to tune into Strictly.

One fan wrote: “Never really been interested in Strictly but super excited to watch @AstonMerrygold on our screens!”

Another said: “Aston Merrygold doing strictly this year has given me even more reason to watch it.”

“Looks like I’ll be watching Strictly Come Dancing this year as @AstonMerrygold is on it,” one commented.

Merrygold joins previously announced celebrities Mollie King, Davood Ghadami, Ruth Langsford, Gemma Atkinson, Rev Richard Coles, Joe McFadden and Simon Rimmer on the Strictly dancefloor.