Strictly is left in crisis as two professional dancers refuse Covid jabs
Strictly is left in crisis as two professional dancers refuse Covid jabs – leaving other contestants reluctant to pair with them
The pair are the only professional dancers out of 18 taking part in the show who have not had the vaccineBBC bosses are said to now be fearful that there could be a larger coronavirus outbreak among contestantsThe news comes three days after it emerged that one other professional dancer has tested positive for Covid
<!–
<!–
<!–<!–
<!–
(function (src, d, tag){
var s = d.createElement(tag), prev = d.getElementsByTagName(tag)[0];
s.src = src;
prev.parentNode.insertBefore(s, prev);
}(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/1.17.0/async_bundle–.js”, document, “script”));
<!–
DM.loadCSS(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/gunther-2159/video_bundle–.css”);
<!–
Two professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing have refused to get Covid jabs ahead of the launch of the new series on Saturday, leaving some contestants reluctant to pair with them.
The pair are reportedly the only two pro dancers out of 18 who have not been vaccinated for the BBC hit show, which is hosted by Claudia Winkelman and Tess Daly.
The identify of the dancers has not been revealed and BBC bosses are said to now be fearful that there could be a larger outbreak among those participating in the show.
A pre-recorded launch show to reveal the contestant and dancer pairings will air tonight, before the live shows and the dancing starts next week.
A source told The Sun that if a ‘proper outbreak’ led to ‘half the cast’ contracting Covid-19, it would be ‘curtains’ for the show.
It comes three days after it emerged that one professional dancer has tested positive for Covid-19. The unidentified dancer has been forced to isolate for ten days, but their celebrity partner tested negative.
Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse told Good Morning Britain in response to the news of the positive test that ‘it is still a pandemic, we cannot ignore the fact as much as we want our lives back.’
She added: ‘We will all be there and we will all be healthy and all keep on dancing – that’s what I can say.’
Strictly pro dancer Giovanni Pernice getting a coronavirus test. Two pro dancers – whose identities have not been revealed – are refusing to get Covid jabs
Two professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing have refused to get Covid jabs ahead of the launch of the latest series on Saturday, leaving some contestants reluctant to pair with them
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: The celebrities turned up the glamour for their professional photos ahead of the brand new series
Reigning double champion Oti Mabuse is returning to the show this year (pictured in 2020)
Speaking of the two dancers’ refusal to get vaccinated, the source added to The Sun: ‘There were vocal protests from celebrities that they didn’t want to be paired with them.’
As part of the measures in place to lessen the risk posed by the virus, dancers are tested multiple times a week.
On Saturday’s show, viewers will learn which celebrities and dancers have been paired up together.
A BBC spokesman said: ‘We do not comment on speculation of somebody’s Covid vaccination status.
‘Production has, and will, continue to follow strict government guidelines to ensure the safety of all on the show.’
Judge Ms Mabuse said on Friday: ‘There are still issues here and the BBC is doing the upmost to keep everybody safe.
‘We are being tested and we are trying to isolate as much as we can, but things can happen and we should be able to go through that, and everyone should be responsible and take care of themselves.
‘But we can’t plan these things so we just have to react, and hope that everybody stays healthy.’
Show bosses are reportedly still enforcing Covid-19 bubbles for its professional dancers, despite lockdown restrictions easing.
Wanting to minimise all potential risks, Strictly bosses have requested the show’s dancers all stay at a London hotel in ‘bubbles’, according to The Sun.
Such bubbles were put into practice for last year’s Strictly series amid lockdown, while the show’s professionals have been busy pre-recording group dances ahead of this year’s launch.
The pair are reportedly the only two pro dancers out of 18 who have not been vaccinated for the BBC hit show, which is hosted by Claudia Winkelman (left) and Tess Daly
Among the celebrities who are competing for the chance to raise that iconic glitterball trophy is McFly star Tom Fletcher, who cut a dapper figure in a gleaming white suit
Glam: AJ Odudu (l) and Katie McGlynn (r) looked simply stunning ahead of the highly anticipated new series
As well as forming bubbles ahead of the series, the professional dancers will film most of their group routines in advance and only a limited number of guests will be allowed in the studio audience.
Fans, along with friends and family of the celebrity contestants, will be allowed back into Elstree studios to watch the live shows, but only in small numbers.
Last year, Strictly bosses brought bubbles and close contact cohorts into play in order to ensure the safety of the contestants, dancers and crew during filming.
Each dancing couple formed an exclusive support bubble – meaning one half of the bubble was a single adult household living alone and the other could remain with their household, allowing them to have close contact with one another.
Close contact cohorts were also introduced and work similarly to support bubbles, but included regular and routine testing for coronavirus. Each couple was put into a close contact cohort and could not form a cohort with anyone else during the competition.
Despite the measures in place, Covid still wreaked havoc with the series, as same-sex couple Katya Jones and Nicola Adams were forced to leave the competition, after Katya tested positive for the virus.
The series was won by Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse, with EastEnders star Maisie Smith, singer HRVY and Jamie Laing all finishing as runners-up.
Producers have also reportedly put a kissing ban on contestants in a bid to stop Covid causing havoc again for the new series.
Tilly Ramsay said she ‘can’t wait’ to get her dancing shoes on. EastEnders actress Nina Wadia (right) looked as though she was already practising her dance moves as she stunned in a sparkly number
Sara Davies (l) and Judi Love (r) stepped into the famous gold ballroom heels for the professional snaps
Ballgown: Rose Ayling-Ellis looked a vision in her glamorous dress
Swimmer Adam Peaty (l) and journalist Dan Walker (r) also looked incredibly smart ahead of the new series
The judges: Anton Du Beke will join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas full-time for the forthcoming series of the BBC One show
Producers are said to have told this year’s stars ‘one snog and you’re out’ after last series celebs Maisie Smith and HRVY allegedly broke social distancing rules because of a brief romance.
An insider told The Sun: ‘Although the pandemic has eased since last year’s series, the BBC aren’t taking any chances.
‘This kissing ban is likely to be part of a package of measures introduced by producers to make the show as safe as possible.
‘They want to minimise the risk of any bombshells, particularly as a studio audience is being brought back into the studio this year.’
The source said the BBC could put ‘yet more measures and precautions in place’ for the cast’s safety and to ensure the show goes ahead without a hitch.
With the new rules in place it could mean the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ is avoided this year.
The Strictly curse last struck in 2018 when Stacey Dooley, 33, left her long-term boyfriend for dance partner Kevin Clifton.
Comedian Seann Walsh and his then married dance partner Katya Jones also caused controversy in 2018 when they were photographed kissing after being partnered up.
