STRICTLY is at risk of descending into chaos due to BBC bosses’ “botched” handling of the show’s Covid measures.
The Celeb Report exclusively revealed last week how two pro-dancers have refused to be vaccinated.
Today we can reveal the issue has been a simmering row for weeks – and that backstage crew are particularly furious.
Our source said: “It’s not rocket science, if you are going to sign up to take part in a show like Strictly Come Dancing where you all on top of each other 24/7 then you need to do all you can to protect yourself and those in the programme.
“There’s a view among those taking part that the dancers refusing to do so are utterly selfish. The BBC are terrified of being seen as dictating to people over what they should do when in reality they needed to take a firmer view on it to protect the show.
“Those dancers who don’t want to get the jab should have been told to stand aside this year at least because the virus is still so prevalent.”
A Strictly spokesperson said: “We do not comment on speculation of somebody’s COVID vaccination status. Strictly Come Dancing production has, and will, continue to follow strict government guidelines to ensure the safety of all on the show.”
The Celeb Report understands the issue is a particular sore-point for crew working backstage on the show.
Many of them – working in areas like make-up, styling and costume – are employed by outside contractors who are demanding their staff are double-jabbed.
“They wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the BBC set by their contractors unless they’d been jabbed,” our source added. “It’s one rule for them, another for those taking part and that’s not right. The BBC have totally botched the way they’ve handled this.”
Another huge concern, sources say is the fact that stars will this year move in and out of the show’s strict bubble to take part in panto.
Stars, including judges Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke and pro-dancer Katya Jones, have already signed up for lucrative stage-roles.
And although the show’s bosses insist regular tests will keep the virus at bay, one show insider fears the move could leave Strictly “tap-dancing towards disaster”.
And ironically Katya, 32, who will star as the Evil Queen in panto in Blackburn, Lancs, had to drop out last year along with partner Nicola Adams – after contracting Covid.
“Last year Strictly producers pretty much wrapped a bubble around those taking part,” said our source.
“And one of the big advantages they had, was that nobody was dashing from rehearsals to panto because the Christmas productions weren’t on.
“This time round they are and many of those taking part in Strictly also want to do panto – not least because they missed out on a massive payday last Christmas.
“But some on the show think it is a risk and could increase the chances of the virus spreading. Producers think this year’s line up is one of the strongest in years and are determined not to have a repeat of last year’s disaster where Nicola had to drop out.
“That’s why this new case of Covid in the past week has caused such dismay among producers. It’s not the start they were hoping for.”
