Strictly boss insists show will go ahead ‘this autumn’ despite coronavirus delays
STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses have confirmed the upcoming series will still go ahead despite coronavirus delays.
The broadcaster's controller of programming is hopeful the BBC ballroom dancing competition will begin production in autumn as planned.
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Speaking to Emma Bullimore on BBC Essex, Dan McGolpin said: "It wouldn't be the same if we didn't have Strictly in the autumn, would it?
"So no of course the BBC is doing everything it can, and I know that everyone involved in that production team would absolutely love that to happen this Autumn."
The live shows typically launch in October and end in December.
It comes days after professional dancer Anton Du Beke reassured fans the show will come back for another series.
Anton said: "They're carrying on with it for now, the whole pre production will be going on as normal."
The dance star also shut down any suggestions that producers were having trouble recruiting celebrities because of the coronavirus lockdown.
He said: “It’s the sort of thing that can be a bit fluid, they might have double eliminations, they might have a bigger final. You’ve got to be adaptable to the situation really. Nobody can stay the same.
“I don’t think lockdown will make any difference to recruiting for the show, people either want to do it or they don’t.”
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The ongoing pandemic isn't the only concern for BBC producers after two of its biggest stars, AJ Pritchard and Kevin Clifton, quit the show within weeks of each other.
AJ explained he left the show because it was time for him to pursue other projects, while Kevin waltzed off after seven years because he "wanted to leave on a high".
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