Strictly Come Dancing has reportedly ‘axed Blackpool and group dances’ as TV bosses make drastic changes in order to get the show on air this year.
The series was thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus pandemic although TV execs are hoping the show can return this autumn.
According to reports, the BBC programme will be making some big changes so that they can go ahead, but fans may be disappointed as they are being forced to scrap certain aspects of the show.
‘It will be a very different show this year. A lot of the things fans love have been dropped,’ a source began.
‘Group dances and a studio audience just can’t happen with social distancing.’
‘Cancelling the Blackpool weekend was not an easy decision. But doing it in the current climate is too difficult. It isn’t worth doing if there won’t be a crowd,’ the sourced added to the Daily Star.
Last week, BBC boss Charlotte Moore told The Times that ‘a lot of work’ was being done behind-the-scenes to ensure Strictly’s successful return to our screens.
‘We’re looking at how that would work. Could you quarantine people? Can we test everyone before filming? There’s a lot of work being done. It’s a big task,’ Moore revealed.
This could mean, the Director explained, that shows could be filmed without a studio audience, and the temperature of participants would be monitored.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We will continue to review all productions on a case by case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organisation and Public Health England.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to the BBC for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One later this year.
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