Strictly Come Dancing has returned with its 18th series on the BBC, much to the delight of viewers. The show will be airing its first elimination tonight (Sunday, November 1) but some have been left worried about the future of the show. Here’s what the BBC has revealed so far.
Will Strictly Come Dancing be cancelled amid national lockdown?
Thanks to social distancing restrictions and bubbles, Strictly Come Dancing was able to return to the BBC earlier in October.
However, amid the announcement of a fresh lockdown for England, many have been wondering whether the show can carry on.
On Saturday, October 31, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the nation would be entering a four-week lockdown beginning on Thursday, November 5.
This will include businesses having to close, limitations on household mixing and a message to stay home where possible.
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard 2020: Who is at the top?
On Saturday evening, he wrote: “As the Prime Minister has just confirmed we will be taking additional restrictions from Thursday.
“We understand the anxiety & impact these will have and will ensure they last not a day longer than necessary.
“The changes mean people should WFH where possible. But where this is not possible, travel to a place of work will be permitted.
“E.g. this includes (but not exhaustive) elite sport played behind closed doors, film & tv production, telecoms workers.
“We understand people will have a lot of questions and @DCMS officials & ministers will be working through these and detailed implications with sectors over the coming days.”
Alongside this, the British Film Institute CEO Ben Roberts also confirmed filming may go ahead if it is COVID-secure
He tweeted: “Covid-secure Film & TV production is permitted under the new guidelines.”
Therefore, at the moment it seems like Strictly 2020 will continue to go ahead.
Although, there may be some more changes in store for the show along the way.
Strictly head Sarah Jones confirmed to Metro.co.uk back in September how they had prepared for “any scenario.”
She said: “We are prepared for any scenario. We’ve made plans for no audience, we’ve made plans for a distanced audience, and we’ve made plans for a full audience.
“Whatever happens, we’ll obviously just be following the government guidelines.”
If anything more is revealed about Strictly’s future, Express.co.uk will update this article.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday and Sunday evenings on BBC One.
— to www.express.co.uk
