This year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ will be two weeks shorter than normal due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bosses of the BBC Latin and ballroom dance competition have been hard at work deciding how to bring the show back to screens safely later this year, and it has now been revealed that as part of new health and safety measures, the series will only last 13 weeks instead of the usual 15.
The change has been made as more time is needed to isolate the professional dancers between recording group dances in late August, and starting rehearsals with their partner ahead of the live shows.
According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, professional dancers will live together in a hotel whilst filming the group routines, and will then quarantine for 14 days to make sure they are Covid-free before meeting with their celebrity partners.
An insider told the publication: "Once all group numbers are recorded in August, the pro dancers must spend two weeks isolating before the next stage.
"With celebs, we’ve no trouble getting them as there is little other work around – but the need to isolate means the timings are against us."
Bosses are also said to be looking at cutting down the number of contestants on the show, in order to minimise the gathering of large groups.
A ‘Strictly’ spokesman said: "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."