Report: Simone Biles and Mr. T on Dancing with the Stars

ET claiming source has confirmed gymnast and wrestler are in the cast for the upcoming season.

The cast announcement for the season 24 of Dancing with the Stars is now less than a week away. Stories are flying about who is in, who is out, whom they asked, and who refused. But Thursday, ET claimed Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles and wrestler/actor Mr. T are in, citing an anonymous source “close to the show’s production.”

While we are very unlikely to have any confirmation before the official announcement, Biles, at least, is believable. Most expected to see her in the cast already. Her name came up as a possible cast member last season. She’d just won four gold medals at the 2016 Olympics and was already getting the label of greatest gymnast of all time. That the show would want her made perfect sense. Then she regretfully told the media she couldn’t do it, because her schedule that fall didn’t allow for it. She was quick say she’d “love to” do the spring season. It seems her schedule’s allowing that one.

According to this source, she’s not the only one of the two of them the brass have waited for. The claim is they’ve been after Mr. T for “years.” Mr. T, or Lawrence Turead, has a Hall of Fame worthy wrestling career, and an acting career that included a much loved role on The A-Team. He also has a colorful history even outside that. One wonders just how good a dancer he’ll be. But they may not be worrying about that, if they feel he’ll bring enough viewers in to be worth it, especially if they vote to keep him there a decent amount of time.

Biles even voiced a preference of partner. We certainly haven’t heard anything about the pro in question, Sasha Farber, being unavailable. If it took them years to convince Mr. T to do the show, he probably doesn’t care as much who they pair him with.

Next: Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd to Both Be On Dancing With the Stars Season 24

Dancing with the Stars will have their full cast announcement on March 1.