Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JITTERBUGS
Fears for live shows as Strictly hit by sickness
A BUG is sweeping through the Strictly Come Dancing camp, sparking concerns for this weekend’s shows.
Several contestants and pro dancers are ill and producers are desperately trying to stop the sickness spreading further.
Actress Catherine Tyldesley, 36, whose partner is Johannes Radebe, 32, said contestants are worried that illness will scupper their chances.
She added: “I’m not feeling great today. I’m very tired.
“The lurgy that’s been doing the rounds at Strictly, I’ve avoided for weeks. It’s been trying to get me, but it won’t win.” A source said: “Everyone is working hard and obviously get up close and personal with each other as they are dancing.
“So when someone gets sick it quickly spreads through the cast. Lots of people have been really under the weather, but the show must go on.
“There is loads of cold and flu medicine available, and everyone is being encouraged to use hand sanitiser to stop the bug spreading even more.” It comes a week after head judge Shirley Ballas, 59, fell ill.
She posted a snap of herself on a drip, writing:
“Feeling under the weather as a result of a tough week.” CBBC star Karim Zeroual, 25, missed an appearance on spin-off show It Takes Two this month as he was “run down”. Karim and his professional partner, Amy Dowden, 28, still performed on the main show, with host Claudia Winkleman, 47, telling Amy: “You are so ill – you’re being extremely brave.” The show did not comment.