Strictly ‘scraps Blackpool and group dances’ as show makes drastic changes to get on air this year
STRICTLY Come Dancing has "scrapped Blackpool and group dances" as show makes drastic changes to get on air this year, according to reports.
The coronavirus pandemic has thrown the BBC's flagship show into disarray as bosses make plans to get the programme on air while complying with social distancing rules, says the Daily Star.
Some of these rules could include the studio audience and group dances being banned - and even the huge show at Blackpool being scrapped.
A show insider told the : "Strictly will be a very different show this year. A lot of the things fans love have been dropped.
"Group dances and a studio audience just can't happen with social distancing.
"Cancelling Blackpool weekend was not an easy decision. But doing it in the current climate is too difficult. It isn't worth doing if there won't be a crowd."
This come as Strictly professional Karen Hauer says rehearsals will start in July and insisted stars will "get creative" to make sure the show goes ahead.
Speaking to FUBAR Radio, she said: "We usually start rehearsals in late July. As far as I know, fingers crossed I'm hoping it's still going forward, but we're just kind of waiting day by day to see what they tell us.
"Obviously we'd love for it to happen!'
"That's just gonna be… side by side maybe? It can always happen. We can always make it work. It doesn't always have to be in contact. We can get creative!"
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Judge Craig Revel Horwood this week sparked fears that the Strictly "curse'"will strike this year if pairs have to isolate together.
The 55-year-old says telly bosses may make celebrities and their professional partners live together to keep in line with social distancing rule - and it could lead to future romances.
Over the years, a number of celebrities and professionals have fallen foul of the 'curse', which has led to relationship break-ups and even divorce.
One of the most famous cases of the Strictly curse is documentary maker Stacey Dooley, who split with her boyfriend Sam after winning the show in 2018 with Karen's ex-husband Kevin Clifton.
Stacey and Kevin are still in a relationship now.