‘Strictly Come Dancing’ bosses are considering putting celebrities and their dance partners in isolation together.
Producers of the Latin and ballroom contest are exploring their options to ensure the show will still make it to air this year after production was shelved on many others due to the coronavirus pandemic, and one "extreme" proposal is for the competing couples to live together.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "’Strictly’ is so up in the air at the moment — but it is too important to the Beeb for plans not to be put in place.
"The stars would be put into isolation with their pro partners over a week before the start of the series to avoid any risks of illness.
"In theory they would stay in the same place and then train together daily with minimal contact with the outside world.
"It’s an extreme idea but it’s one of many that’s being bandied around in meetings at the moment.
"The ‘Strictly’ curse is something bosses want to avoid every year because they want it to remain a family show — but it’s a risk they’re willing to take
"’Strictly’ is the biggest show on the BBC and they want to do everything to keep it going."
The proposals would also see the show filmed without a studio audience.
If the idea doesn’t work, the programme – which is hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly – could be rested this year.
However, the source said: "That’s the last thing anyone wants if it’s not completely unavoidable."
Last week, the BBC’s controller of programming, Dan McGolpin, admitted the network were keen to get the show back in its usual Saturday night slot later this year.
He said: "It wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t have ‘Strictly’ in the autumn, would it?
"So no of course the BBC is doing everything it can, and I know that everyone involved in that production team would absolutely love that to happen this Autumn."
The competition typically launches in August or September with the reveal of the celebrity lineup, and live shows follow in October as the programme concludes in December.absolutely will. That’s very much our intentions, so yeah fingers crossed."
Strictly Come Dancing couples could isolate together
