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Strictly Come Dancing is a family favourite on BBC One and the lively competition series has been running since 2004. The series sees celebrities couple up with professional dancers in a battle to be crowned the best in the ballroom. However, the coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on how the series will work in future.
Strictly Come Dancing statement
The BBC has released an official statement regarding the future of the series following the coronavirus outbreak.
The full statement says: “The Strictly Come Dancing team are doing everything they can to bring the nation plenty of Strictly magic later this year.
“To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of the ongoing considerations around COVID-19, this year’s series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual.
“The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us and further updates will be made in due course.”
With this in mind, it is hoped the series will still go ahead for 2020, but there may be fewer episodes.
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Each season usually runs for a total of 13 weeks, with the final taking place just before Christmas.
However, due to social distancing rules and a halt on production for many live TV series, there may be some major changes for Strictly.
The dancing competition has been in the news recently, with rumours saying celebrities over 60 years old will not be allowed to take part.
This is due to the fact older celebrities are more at risk of catching the virus and suffering from health problems.
The BBC has not confirmed or denied whether this is true, but in a previous statement they said they would review all productions on a case by case basis, following advice from health experts.
Sources told Daily Star group dances and a studio audience may also be scrapped due to social distancing rules.
There were also rumours the fan-favourite Blackpool weekend would also be cancelled, but this has not been confirmed.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood has suggested there could be a way around the social distancing measures.
Fellow judge Shirley Ballas has also said she is “99 per cent sure” the series will go ahead, according to Hello Magazine.
She said: “It’s imperative that that show goes ahead so you can bet your trolley they are doing their best to get it on.”
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Other ideas on how to keep competitors safe include introducing Masked Singer-style masks, or having the stars perform in an outdoor space.
Strictly It Takes Two host Zoe Ball said the show will be returning this year despite concerns about COVID-19, if a live audience is scrapped.
International versions of the series are said to be running this year, but dancers will be isolated before the shows and there will be no live audience.
Fans are keen to see judges Bruno Tonioli, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood return along with a lineup of celebrity contestants.
The Sun was told by a source that group dances may be pre-recorded, with professionals having isolated from their partners beforehand.
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Earlier in 2020 BBC entertainment boss Kate Phillips said the 18th season may not feature a studio audience.
She spoke during an online interview with the Edinburgh TV Festival and said Strictly was a “big priority”.
The boss said every genre of TV had been hit by the virus, but there were hopes the series could go ahead in some form or another.
Fans have been sharing their thoughts on some of the rumours on social media, with one fan saying: “I honestly don’t agree with the pros being isolated with their celebrity partner, can we just cancel the series please, it really isn’t going to feel like the same Strictly Come Dancing we all love to watch.”
For now viewers will have to wait for the BBC to update their latest statement, which reiterated they are “doing everything [they] can” to bring Strictly back this year.
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer
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