Stars ‘waltz over to Strictly’ as other shows are on hold
Nicola Methven
CELEBRITIES are enthusiastically offering to take part in Strictly Come Dancing... in the absence of any other showbiz work.
Ballroom bosses say they have already enlisted half of the 15 stars required for the series.
And with theatre productions, TV dramas and reality shows cancelled due to coronavirus, they are attracting big names they have been trying to woo for years.
An insider said: “We’ve signed up people we’ve been after for absolutely ages, who have said they were keen but were always tied up with other work.
Isolation
“Lots are saying yes who have said no before, simply because they’ve actually got the time to fit it into their schedules.”
This autumn’s line-up, which will remain a secret until just before the series starts, is expected to feature Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, 31, who had to pull out last year after injuring his foot.
Rumoured to be joining him are actress Michelle Keegan, 32, chatshow king Alan Carr, 43, singer/ presenter Stacey Solomon, 30, and radio host Chris Evans, 54. There had been fears celebrities would not sign up after rumours they would have to live in isolation with their dance partner for months on end.
Producers had been looking at how other countries managed to broadcast their versions of the dancing contest during lockdown.
When one contestant needed to isolate in Australia, they and their dancer performed their routine from a secluded rooftop and filmed it themselves. But producers of Britain’s Strictly, which began the international craze, are confident that social distancing rules will have been relaxed enough in the UK by September to allow the BBC One show to go ahead.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will most likely continue to host the Saturday-night extravaganza from its usual studio in Elstree, Herts, alongside the contestants, dancers and judges.
However, there will almost certainly be no studio audience – and the crew will be down to a skeleton staff. Glam hair-dos and make-up could also be an issue.
Uneasy
The insider said: “One thing’s for sure, this year’s show is bound to feel very different.”
The signings come as ITV boss Kevin Lygo hinted that Love Island, due to start in Majorca in August, was almost certain to be postponed.
He said: “What signal might it be sending out if we’re doing a show where everyone’s crammed together, slavering over each other, and the rest of the world is told ‘Don’t go near anyone in the park?’ I’m a bit uneasy about that.”
No decision had been made about I’m A Celebrity, he added.