When does Strictly Come Dancing 2020 start and how will it work?
STRICTLY Come Dancing 2020 is fast approaching, and the full line-up has been revealed.
The future of the fan-favourite ballroom show was in doubt, due to fears that social distancing rules may have prevented the series running as normal.
When will Strictly Come Dancing 2020 start?
The Sun exclusively revealed how Strictly is set to start from October 24, 2020.
The show will then run until December 19, 2020.
This means it will run for 10 weeks compared to 13 in 2019.
The show is starting later this series as BBC bosses felt a delay was the only way to safely shoot their 2020 edition and leave enough gaps for social distancing.
Who are the Strictly judges?
At the moment it looks like there are only three judges in 2020 – Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
Italian judge Bruno Tonioli will miss the beginning of the series as he is in the US for Dancing With The Stars but will appear towards the end of the series.
His replacement is yet to be announced.
To aid social distancing, the judges’ table will also be made bigger.
Who are the Strictly hosts?
Fear not, your usual Strictly hosts will be back to present the show.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are returning for the 2020 series.
They will present the show at a safe distance from each other.
Who’s in the Strictly line up?
- Jaime Laing – reality star known for Made In Chelsea
- Maisie Smith – soap star known for playing Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders.
- JJ Chalmers – TV Presenter, former Royal Marine and Invictus Games gold medallist
- Bill Bailey – stand-up comedian and actor
- Clara Amfo – BBC Radio 1 mid-morning presenter
- Ranvir Singh – GMB anchor and news presenter
- Nicola Adams – former Olympic boxer
- Caroline Quentin – Jonathan Creek and Men Behaving Badly actress
- Jason Bell – former professional American footballer
- Max George – singer and former member of boyband The Wanted
- Jacqui Smith – former Home Secretary
- HRVY – YouTube star and singer
How will Strictly be different in 2020?
As soon as training kicks off all participants will be given coronavirus tests and will have their temperatures checked daily.
A source said: ”We could start with one scenario and then change it in line with restrictions being eased.
“All these plans are subject to change. It only takes one spike, and we’re back at square one.”
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According to a report in The Mirror, one option producers are considering is for celebrities to “bubble-up” with their professional dancing partners.
That way they could still practice all day and go home to their families in the evenings.
Audience members will sit at cabaret style tables and will have to be from the same household.