‘Strictly Come Dancing’ have backed the show to return later this year.
The BBC Latin and ballroom competition airs every year in autumn, and now the broadcaster’s controller of programming has suggested the show could go ahead despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking to Emma Bullimore on BBC Essex, Dan McGolpin 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.
Dan is hopeful that filming can kick off as planned, if the current health crisis improves.
He added: "So we’ve really just got to keep watching the government advice, thinking about what’s possible.
"And if there’s any way of bringing ‘Strictly’ back this autumn, then we absolutely will. That’s very much our intentions, so yeah fingers crossed."
He echoed comments made by pro dancer Anton Du Beke, who is keen to push on as planned.
He recently said: "The actual live stuff doesn’t start until about September, so we’re hoping we’ll be out of it by then and back to some sort of normality.
"I think everyone will be ready for a bit of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ by then!"
Whenever the programme returns, it will be without departing stars Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard, after both the pros recently confirmed their respective exist.
Head judge Shirley Ballas has paid tribute, saying: "They’ve been a great part of the show. We love them, we wish them well, they’ve chosen to go onto other things, but the show will continue."
BBC bosses hope Strictly Come Dancing will go on as planned
