Strictly Come Dancing Confirmed For 2020 With Shorter Series, Following Pandemic Doubts

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Strictly Come Dancing bosses have confirmed the show will go ahead this year, but with a shorter series than usual. 

There has been much speculation in recent months over how the hit BBC ballroom show would proceed given social distancing measures, and even if it could go ahead at all. 

However, the BBC has now confirmed its future – although it is looking like its usual September launch date will be slightly delayed. 

A statement said: “The Strictly Come Dancing team are doing everything they can to bring the nation plenty of Strictly magic later this year.

“To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of the ongoing considerations around Covid-19, this year’s series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual.

“The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us and further updates will be made in due course.”

It was previously confirmed that bosses are considering isolating the cast of professional dancers and key production staff in a hotel together, so they can film the usual group routines. 

It has also been reported that the show will not be adding any new pros to the line up after the departures of Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard.  

Kevin quit the show in March, while AJ followed a few weeks later, despite previously being announced for the new series. 

It also remains unclear exactly what Strictly will look like when it does return to our screens, with a question mark over the live studio audience.

The BBC’s director of content Charlotte Moore also recently told The Times (£) that bosses were considering installing glass divides inside the studio “so that people feel even more protected”.

Among the names rumoured for this year’s series include former Radio 1 DJ Maya Jama, ex-Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan, Love Island narrator Iain Stirling and Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, who was forced to withdraw from last year’s series after injuring himself during the launch show.