No cha cha chance of a Strictly party
Stars confined to avoid Covid
Strictly stars have been banned from partying over fears a Covid outbreak could kill off the show.
Producers have urged them not to go to crowded bars, events or anywhere where they might pick up the virus. A showbiz insider said: “Paranoia is swirling round the BBC studios, everyone is fear ful of getting Covid and ruining their chances. They’ve been adv ised to avoid bi g event s or partying – any t h i ng that could see them testing positive for the virus.
“Producers have been very clear that health and safety comes first, which means that contestants have had to forego painting the town red as was customary in previous years.”
It comes after three of the professional dancers refused to get the vaccine, causing a backlash among their celebrity partners and staff on the show.
Even the PM waded into the row telling the dancers to get jabbed.
Normally, celebs and their partners are regulars at glitzy showbiz bashes during the series.
The National Television Awards k ickstarted the showbiz award season on September 9.
But the professional dancers, including Oti Mabuse, Gorka Marquez and Dianne Buswell, were all in isolation ahead of the programme’s launch on September 18.
Instead, It Takes Two host Janette Manrara was sent to pick up the award for Best Talent Show.
St r ict ly stars usual ly socialise after rehearsals or after the Saturday night show – but this year they have been confined to their bubbles.
Hol l yoa k s s t a r Ka t ie McGlynn said that Strictly is kept safe by the rules.
She said: “It’s incredible that Strictly are pulling it off to keep everybody safe while creating one of the best show’s in the UK.”
Katie admitted she hasn’t been to any events and her dance partner Gorka added he thinks the cast are more conscious of not going out.
He said: “The biggest event that we go to is on Saturday night.”