Strictly Come Dancing bosses ‘could axe live music performances because of coronavirus’

Strictly Come Dancing could ditch its live music performances this year due to coronavirus safety precautions.

Many superstars including Taylor Swift, Andrea Bocelli and Kylie Minogue have graced the famous ballroom to accompany the dancers.

But this year’s group dances are being pre-recorded, meaning the live performances could be a thing of the past.

An insider told The Sun: ‘Although live music from acts is still being considered, it’s unlikely to include any big international stars and could be filmed away from the studio because of safety concerns.

‘In early meetings about the show when the lockdown was nationwide, the idea of having live musicians performing was totally thrown out.

‘But now restrictions have lifted slightly, the Strictly team are trying to be inventive about how they could make it happen.’

The source added that Dave Arch and his band will be returning but in a slightly different capacity to ensure everyone’s safety on set.

Rehearsals are starting next month for the band and producers hope they will be able to play live in the studio.

Earlier this month, it was reported that this year’s Strictly will only run for nine weeks, with the start date pushed back to October to allow bosses to pre-record elements during the current social distancing climate.  

Due to the reduced series run, it was claimed bosses will have fewer celebrities in the line-up, with the show’s Halloween and Blackpool specials coming up at two and four weeks into the schedule.

A source told The Sun: ‘BBC bosses are doing everything in their power to give the public as much Strictly as they possibly can and safely.

‘A heavily reduced schedule gives them a lot longer to pre-record certain segments to minimise risk. It does mean it will be starting much later in the year, and will finish very close to Christmas with the final currently scheduled for December 19.’ 

Strictly bosses also previously revealed that stars will be in ‘couple bubbles’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic.