New rules for 2020

How this year’s Strictly will work on screen and behind the scenes

- Steven Perkins & Victoria Wilson

Every series of Strictly takes months of meticulous planning. But, this year, the team also had to react to changing health-and-safety guidelines in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Here, executive producer Sarah James tells TV Times what to expect...

NEW-LOOK LAUNCH

‘The big difference in this week’s launch show is that we will be pairing the celebrities up with their dancers in VTs rather than in the studio. It’s a bit more tricky with social distancing, but we’ve got some incredible locations for those. We will still have a group dance with the celebrities, but where they usually all dance together, this year they’ll just be dancing with their professional partners for that number.’

TESTING TIMES

‘The contestants will be tested regularly, and, unfortunately, if someone receives a positive test, that means they wouldn’t be able to continue in the competition.

According to [current] government guidelines, if you receive a positive test, you have to self-isolate, so that would rule them out of the show.’

BRUNO FROM LA!