Meghan Markle had the opportunity to appear on Strictly Come Dancing but turned down the offer due to conflicting work schedules, according to an explosive new book.
Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war with the Windsors by Tom Bower claims the Duchess of Sussex was lined up for the popular BBC One dancing competition in 2013 thanks to a British agent she met.
The then-actress allegedly hoped to gain herself "publicity, work and an English boyfriend" during a trip to London in November 2013.
That is when Meghan met talent manager Jonathan Shalit, who has been responsible for the careers of celebrities such as Dame Joan Collins, Sir Elton John, Lorraine Kelly and Shirley Ballas.
In an extract of his new book, published in the Sun, Bower writes: "Shalit was excited. She was charming, good-looking and admired by the small audience for Suits."
Meghan is believed to have told Shalit that she wanted to be a "TV celebrity chef like Gordon Ramsay" when they were introduced.
However, Bower claims an idea of Markle fronting a TV programme where she could taste food from across the world was hindered by her limited cooking skills.
Bower continued: "Undeterred, Shalit arranged an audition for Strictly Come Dancing. Reluctantly she declined.
"Tied to a Suits contract for nine months in the year, the timing clashed with filming in Britain.
"Disappointed, Shalit bid her farewell. She returned to Toronto without either new work or a new man."
Meghan starred as Rachel Zane in American TV legal drama Suits for seven seasons between 2011 and 2018 - her last role before retiring from acting shortly before her wedding with Prince Harry at Windsor Castle in May 2018.
In January 2020, Meghan and Harry announced their intention to step down as senior working royals and move to America to carve out new lives for themselves.
The new book Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsor's by biographer Bower will draw on “interviews from insiders who have never spoken before”, according to publicity material.
Bombshells according to Bower include that the Queen didn't want Meghan at Philip's funeral, the Sussexes "festered with fury" after Jubilee plans were blocked and Harry's pals called him 'nuts' for dating Meghan after she 'told them off'.
Tom Bower, 2022. Revenge: Meghan, Harry And The War Between The Windsors, by Tom Bower, is published by Blink Publishing on July 21.
