British hero to star in Strictly Come Dancing as BBC battles to boost feelgood factor of show amid Giovanni scandal
Watch the video above to discover the famous face whose inspiring life story was turned into a Netflix film
A “COMMUNITY hero” is ready to coin it in as a Strictly contestant.
TV’s Bank Of Dave star Dave Fishwick, 52, was approached by BBC bosses earlier this year and has told pals he’d signed on the dotted line.
His stint comes after his efforts to launch his own bank, Burnley Savings and Loans, featured in two popular documentaries.
A source said: “Dave is a real community hero and the best of British.
“Strictly think his inspiring back story will win him new fans on and shine a spotlight on the amazing work he has done for people and business in Lancashire.
“Dave has told his friends he has accepted and cannot wait to get started.
“For Dave it’s a dream come true.
“He is a working-class man who did well for himself and decided to use his success to help others.”
Dave left school at 16 with no qualifications before running a minibus business.
He founded independent lender Burnley Savings and Loans in 2011, and its birth featured in Channel 4’s 2012 series Bank Of Dave.
Last year his life story was turned into a Netflix film of the same title starring Rory Kinnear as Dave.
A sequel, Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger, is planned for 2025, with Rory’s Dave taking on payday lenders and the real Dave appearing as a villain.
He said: “The baddies are in America so there’s a lot more America in this one.
“It’s much bigger than anything I’ve ever been involved in.”
A Strictly spokesman said: “We do not comment on speculation.”