Strictly's battle of the battleaxes: Nancy Dell'olio and Edwina Currie lay down the gauntlet

By Lara Gould

Last updated at 12:30 AM on 25th September 2011

They're the two grand dames of Strictly Come Dancing. And with a week to go before the ballroom series begins, the backbiting is already under way between contestants Nancy Dell’Olio and Edwina Currie.

Show sources say the two are jockeying for position as leading lady ahead of the start of the programme on Friday.

Tensions began to rise when they were paired up for a group dance in the launch show, filmed at Television Centre three weeks ago.

Let the battle begin: Nancy says Edwina isn't glamorous enough to dance alongside her

Let the battle begin: Edwina says that Nancy shouldn't mess with her

Let the battle begin: Nancy, left says Edwina, right, is not glamorous enough to dance alongside her

BBC sources say Miss Dell’Olio, 50, who wore a low-cut shimmering green dress studded with diamante, was unhappy at being paired with 64-year-old grandmother and former Tory MP Mrs Currie, who was wearing a rather more matronly blue gown – because she wasn’t ‘glamorous’ enough to dance alongside her.

The two women were performing a section of a routine in which the 14 celebrities were paired up and asked to strut down the middle of the dancefloor together, flanked by the other contestants.

Practise makes perfect: Edwina rehearses in a dance studio for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing

Miss Dell’Olio told the choreographers: ‘Why am I dancing with her? I don’t want to be next to her. She is not glamorous enough.’

A source said: ‘Nancy was quite vocal about it and asked for another celebrity partner, preferably someone younger, but she was told the matter was not up for discussion. The idea was that they would meet in the middle of the dancefloor and give each other a “bitchy” look, then turn on their heels and walk down the middle of the other dancers.

‘When it came to the dance, they managed it very effectively.’

Asked about the comment, Mrs Currie said last night: ‘I would have thought anybody as glamorous as Nancy wouldn’t care two hoots who she was dancing with.

‘I am very nearly old enough to be her mum. I am 15 years older and twice her size. Most women would take one look at me and think, “Don’t mess with that one.” ’

The rivalry between the pair looks set to take a further turn after it was revealed that Mrs Currie plans to snub a drinks party being thrown by Miss Dell’Olio this week.

It is understood Miss Dell’Olio has organised a soiree for all her Strictly co-stars at the Beach Blanket Babylon restaurant in Notting Hill, West London. Asked if she would be attending, Mrs Currie said: ‘I am a bit busy next week.’

On Friday the two women will come face to face as the first competitive round of the series begins.

Last week Mrs Currie began rehearsals with her dance partner, Vincent Simone. Dressed in black leggings and a white blouse, the former Minister at one point appeared to clash with Simone, who held up his hands in front of him in frustration as they trained in a London studio.