Strictly: Possible major COVID rules shake-up after Tom Fletcher tests positive

Rumour has it that new coronavirus safety measures could be introduced for Strictly Come Dancing 2021 after one couple tested positive following the very first show. McFly star Tom Fletcher and his partner Amy Dowden are having to sit out of this weekend’s show, but will be back in week 3 providing they test negative by then.

New coronavirus measures for Strictly?

As this crisis has come at such an early stage of the competition, bosses are understandably worried about the rest of the series. Possible measures to avoid any more infections could include scrapping the studio audience or placing celebs and their partners in bubbles, as they were last year.

According to a TV source who spoke to The Sun:

These would be radical steps to take to increase safety on the set, but given the difficulties producers have had over the past two weeks, there’s nothing they aren’t willing to consider. But if they did have to go down this route, it would be a logistical nightmare and might leave some of the stars with a dilemma as many of them are juggling their dance training with their day jobs.

Do celebs keep working alongside Strictly?

Many of the celebs are continuing to work at their regular jobs alongside Strictly. Soap star Katie McGlynn is still filming for Hollyoaks and Ugo Monye is a team captain on the newly-rebooted A Question of Sport. Before catching COVID, Tom Fletcher was touring with McFly as well as training for Strictly.

Of course, even if these measures are implemented, there’s no 100% certain way to avoid anyone getting COVID. Last year, Nicola Adams and her partner Katya Jones had to drop out of the show in week 4 after Katya tested positive for Covid. At that point the isolation period was 14 days not 10, so a positive test meant immediate withdrawal from the competition.