Strictly’s Tom Fletcher breaks silence on Covid bombshell as he teases epic return
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Tom Fletcher has given fans fresh hope that he'll make an epic return to the dancefloor - despite his Covid bombshell.
The 36-year-old and his dance partner Amy Dowden tested positive on Sunday, hours after the first live show.
McFly singer Tom will have to miss Saturday night as he goes into ten days of isolation - and if he's not fully recovered he risks leaving the competition.
But speaking for the first time since his diagnosis was revealed, Tom commented underneath his partner's statement saying: "Rest up partner. We've got to pull something special out of the bag for week 3."
We revealed earlier how Strictly has been plunged further into crisis after Tom caught Covid in week one.
His devastating Covid result comes at the end of a week in which Strictly has been embroiled in an anti-vax scandal where three pros have not had their jabs.
Tom, whose wife is 2020's I'm A Celebrity winner Giovanna Fletcher, 36, has also been forced to pull out of his McFly tour.
His Covid result came just 24 hours after he opened Strictly's first live show with a cha cha cha, and gained a respectable score of 20 points.
Dance partner Amy has publicly acknowledged she is vaccinated as she was offered her jabs at an early stage due to the fact she suffers from Crohn's Disease.
She posted on Instagram: "Unfortunately Tom and I have tested positive for Covid-19.
"I'm not suffering any symptoms but am now isolating at home.
"I have no doubt that over the next 10 days my mind will be going crazy with choreography ideas ready to get back on the Strictly dance floor for the live show in week 3.
"Thank you for all of the support and good luck to all of the couples this week. I will be cheering you all on."
Wearing an eye-catching purple suit, Tom put his best foot forward to dazzle the judges.
Fans were convinced Tom would win the show after head judge Shirley Ballas gave him a standing ovation on week one.
A BBC spokesman told The Sun: "Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden have tested positive for Covid-19.
"The pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines.
"While they will both miss Saturday’s live show, Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week.”
🔵 Read our Strictly Come Dancing live blog for the latest updates...
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If Tom is double vaccinated he can take another test in eight days' time and if he tests negative can leave isolation.
But even if ten days passes and he still tests positive he may have to remain in isolation - and that could jeopardise his place in the competition.
The bombshell diagnosis will feed into ongoing fears over the threat of Covid to Strictly.
On Friday judge Anton du Beke said that a solitary case wouldn't spell disaster, but more could.
He said: "If you get one of those you can sort of survive, but if you get something that spreads through the group, well, that’s the end of the show.”
Before the start of the series chief executive Sarah James said any pros or celebrities catching Covid during may not have to leave the dancefloor this year.
She confirmed new isolation rules mean the show might not see a repeat of the Nicola Adams and Katya Jones saga last year, which saw Strictly’s first same sex couple forced to quit the show after the Russian pro received a positive test midway through the competition.
She explains: “Last year the isolation period if you received a positive test was 14 days and this year it’s ten days so if a celebrity does receive a positive test, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re out of the competition.”
Tom's proud wife Giovanna was cheering him on from the sidelines on Saturday night as he delivered an impressive performance.
Speaking with fans after the show, Tom said: "A week ago I couldn’t dance and tonight I did a cha-cha in front of 10 million people…in heels!
"What a night. Thanks so much to my brilliant partner @amy_dowden for such an awesome week 1 dance.
"What an honour to open the show! Thanks for the lovey comments and support.
"Oh, and no, I didn’t realise I was dressed as the dancing man emoji."
He added: "Look, I know it’s not perfect, not by a long way (especially that spin, sorry Amy!) but I’m super proud of what me and @amy_dowden did on that dance floor last night. Thanks for supporting us. X."
Earlier this week, Tom updated fans on the gruelling rehearsals process and shared of photo of him collapsed on the floor.
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Pro dancer Amy also shared a montage of snaps of Tom passed out on the floor.
She hilariously wrote: ";Believe it or not we actually have no floor choreography."
