Strictly Come Dancing producers are trying to land Fern Britton for this year’s series according to reports.

Fern stepped down from ITV’s This Morning last month and Strictly bosses are said to be planning to pair her with the fiery Brendan Cole if she agrees to appear.

A source told The Mirror: “Fern is a major coup. Producers have been wooing her for some time but it is only in the last few days talks have really progressed.

“Brendan was lined up to dance with Jo Wood but now bosses have offered him to Fern as bait. Fern is bound to get lots of attention and they believe he’s the guy most equipped to handle it.”

According to Now magazine, Fern Britton’s already worried about the lack of work offers once she leaves This Morning, and it would seem that her closest friends are worried about Fern’s “obsession” with dieting.

Fern’s battle with her weight has of course been a very public one but the magazine states that, “Fern, 51, is hitting a brick wall with the dieting and, unable to shift the final few pounds.”

And a source who’s said to be close to Fern is quoted as saying, “She’s dedicating more time to her appearance than anything else.

“She’s now obsessed with her bingo wings, which isn’t helped by TV stylists who keep putting her in strapless gowns.

“She’s got an exercise regime that’s supposed to tone them up, but it isn’t working fast enough for Fern’s liking.”

Another source said, “She’s been alarmed at the lack of new contracts up for grabs.

“She’s already filmed the BBC panel show As Seen On TV with Steve Jones. But she’s not the big star as previously billed – it’s very much Steve’s show and she’s just a team captain”

The magazine article also speculates that Fern may be worried that she’ll “go the same way” as ex-GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips who’s apparently found it difficult to get work.

As a This Morning co-host, Fern earned around £750,000 a year so it’s not hard to see that she might be a tad concerned about making that loss of revenue up.

Wow!!! If there was ever a fantastic advertisement for gastric band surgery then it has to be Fern Britton.

On tonight’s Let’s Dance For Comic Relief Fern Britton danced to Singing In The Rain and she was brilliant. She was wearing a glam, fitted shiny raincoat with the most fabulous shoes. She had great rhythm, great moves and looked amazing!

Earlier this week Fern begged This Morning viewers to vote for her and I imagine if they come out in force she’ll sail through to the final rounds!

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield has begged viewers to vote for his partner Fern Britton when she appears on Let’s Dance For Comic Relief this Saturday night.

On the ITV show today Phil said: “Please keep her in, my life will be hell on Monday if she isn’t!”

Fern revealed that rehearsing for the routine is already exhausting her saying:

Fern said: “My feet and hips are hurting already and I’ve only had one rehearsal!

“I’m dancing on my own on Saturday so I want you all to vote for me. If I’m here on Monday and I’m out, I wont be happy.”

Zoe Ball & Suggs, Dom Joly, sports stars Martin Offiah and Denise Lewis, The Bill actors Lisa Maxwell and Patrick Robinson, Fern Britton and Angela Rippon will all appear in the third heat of Let’s Dance For Comic Relief this Saturday night on BBC One.

Lisa Snowdon and Dara O’Briain will be guest panellists alongside head panellist Anton Du Beke.

In the final, Anton will be joined by guest panellists Denise Van Outen and Michael McIntyre who is back by popular demand.

The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Steve Jones, will see the six acts perform iconic dance routines in a bid to wow viewers and win a place in next week’s spectacular final dance off.

Who goes through and who gets a chance to compete in the final will be down to the public phone votes and the panel.

The final will see two celebrity acts compete alongside Robert Webb, Dick & Dom, Keith Lemon & Paddy McGuinness and Jo Brand for their chance to be crowned the Let’s Dance For Comic Relief Champion on Saturday 14 March during Red Nose Day weekend.