BEEB bosses believe they've found the PURRFECT way to save Strictly Come Dancing ... by signing up Lewis Hamilton's Pussycat Doll girlfriend.
They want Nicole Scherzinger - star of the American version of Strictly - to help sex up the next series after losing their ratings lead over rival X Factor.
Show bosses have offered her six figures - breaking the normal £50,000 fee paid to celeb dancers - to clinch the deal. And they hope she'll also be tempted by the chance to spend more time in her Formula 1 boyfriend's home country.
The 31-year-old Hawaiian became the BBC's top target after her success on Dancing with the Stars, where she wowed US audiences and made the final.
A show insider told us: "Nicole is everything we want for the new Strictly. She's a huge international star, incredibly sexy and has a fascinating private life. We're going all out to get her with a really big pay cheque, much more than we've offered celebs for the last two years.
"We hope Lewis is going to encourage her to do it because it means she'll get to spend a number of weeks close to his family here." Dancing with the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli described Nicole as a "divine enchantress" because of her superior tango.
The Beeb is ramping up its bid for more big name stars when Strictly begins in September.
Producers want fellow American Pamela Anderson to line up next to Nicole. They're also keen on ex-footballer Gary Lineker and wife Danielle Bux, Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh and Holby City actress Patsy Kensit.
The A-list line-up is part of a string of changes being made to Strictly this year. It will be cut down to a 12-week run with more shows being broadcast from Blackpool's Tower Ballroom.
Some of the show's veteran professional dancers - expected to include the controversial Anton du Beke - will be axed in favour of younger US dancers like Cheryl Cole's pal Derek Hough, who is partnering Nicole in America.
Our source told us: "Everyone at the BBC is aware how crucial it is to salvage Strictly's ratings this year." Last year it attracted four million viewers fewer than the X Factor on some nights.
NOTW