Strictly heroes
TRIBUTE TO SUPER KEY WORKERS Dancing in glam masks
HEAD judge Shirley Ballas wants the BBC to stage an edition of Strictly Come Dancing with hero key workers as contestants.
She thinks it would be a brilliant tribute to the thousands of doctors, nurses, shop assistants, delivery drivers and refuse collectors who kept Britain going through the coronavirus pandemic.
Shirley said: “I do think it’s a brilliant idea. A second series, perhaps, where you could pick some of our fantastic NHS workers or just thank the bin collectors, for example, for the fantastic work they do.
“Take someone from each sphere or walk of life.
“They could be amazing journeys, amazing stories. I will put that forward.”
Medic
Strictly is no stranger to hosting TV specials with contestants who are not celebrities.
In 2014, it staged The People’s Strictly for Comic Relief featuring six “inspirational heroes” including a charity founder, a meningitis fund-raiser and a youth theatre boss.
The show was won by marine medic Cassidy Little who helped others through rehabilitation despite losing part of his right leg.
On Thursday, Shirley is set to meet Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to call on him to let ballroom classes restart.
She said it made no sense that people could go to beaches and drink in pubs but not attend dance lessons. ★
STRICTLY could end up looking like The Masked Singer due to Covid-19.
The professional dancers and their celebrity partners might be asked to wear face coverings to avoid cross infections.
But BBC chiefs will “Strictly-fy” them with sequins and glitter to make them look glamorous on the dance floor.
Pro dancer Neil Jones said: “We sometimes wear a mask during training because it helps with our stamina. I’m sure they’ll make them look great.”