Strictly Come Dancing 2020: FIRST LOOK at socially-distanced launch as stars discover their partners
Strictly Come Dancing 2020: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman keep apart and the pros deliver a dazzling opener as the celebrities discover their partners in FIRST LOOK at socially-distanced launch
- The star-studded launch show will see the twelve celebrities discover their professional partners
- Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will host the show, remaining two metres apart in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines
- This year’s Strictly has seen the introduction of strict new measures to maintain the safety of its stars during the crisis, including regular testing, mandatory visors and the introduction of ‘couple bubbles’ for training
- All of the professional dancers’ group performances have been pre-recorded, after spending several weeks isolating together at a hotel last month
- The couples will then take to the floor for their debut performances in the first live show next Saturday, October 24th
- Strictly Come Dancing 2020 will return on Saturday, October 17th at 7:50pm on BBC One
Strictly Come Dancing have given fans their first glimpse at their socially-distanced launch show, as the twelve celebrities finally discover their professional partners.
The pre-recorded opener, which will air on Saturday, will see the pros dazzle with a sensational opening routine, and judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel-Horwood seated on separate podiums to ensure the programme adheres to COVID-19 safety guidelines.
This year’s Strictly has been more anticipated than ever as the country is in the grip of the coronavirus crisis, and has seen drastic changes to ensure the series could go ahead, albeit with a shortened run.
It’s back! Strictly Come Dancing have given fans their first glimpse at their socially-distanced launch show, as the twelve celebrities finally discover their professional partners
First look snaps from the launch show hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman reuniting, with the pair ensuring they stand at least two metres apart throughout the show.
As ever Tess looks sensational in a white and black spotted midi dress, while Claudia opts for a bronze sequinned suit to present the programme.
Offering a glimpse of the strict measures introduced due to the crisis, Tess and Claudia are separated from the orchestra by a perspex screen.
Two metres away! First look snaps from the launch show hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman reuniting, albeit two metres apart in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines
Watchful eye: Judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse will also take their place on the panel, though this year will see them sat on separate desks to maintain social distancing
Competitive: This year will see 12 celebrities compete to win the coveted Glitterball trophy
The launch will consist of the celebrities discovering their professional partners for the first time, though in a post-COVID change, they will instead by revealed via. video link.
This will allow for couples to form their own individual ‘bubbles’ for training and performances, meaning the stars will have maintain distance from each other during filming.
The professional dancers will also take to the stage to showcase their dance moves with a sensation opener, and will also accompany a stunning performance by Joel Corry and MNEK.
Judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse will also take their place on the panel, though this year will see them sat on separate desks to maintain social distancing.
Bruno Tonioli has been unable to appear in the studio due to travel restrictions introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, but will make guest appearances from his home in Los Angeles.
This year’s Strictly will see 12 celebrities take to the floor in the hope of winning the coveted Glitterball trophy, including Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh, EastEnders’ Maisie Smith, US football star Jason Bell and The Wanted singer Max George.
Gorgeous: The launch will also see the pros take to the stage with a stellar group opener, with Nadiya Bychkova and Graziano Di Prima forming their own bubble to dance alongside singers and guest performers
Looking good: Neil Jones and Nanzy Xu – who will not receive a celebrity partner – will also take to the dancefloor together
Rules: This year’s Strictly has seen the introduction of strict new guidelines, including regular testing and restrictions on celebrities and pros mixing
Rounding out the lineup are actress Caroline Quentin, former Home Secretary Jacquie Smith, Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo, Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, boxer Nicola Adams, YouTube star Hrvy, comedian Bill Bailey and Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers.
This year’s Strictly will also see the show’s first ever same-sex pairing, with Nicola Adams set to perform with pro Katya Jones after years of campaigning by fans.
Strictly has already had its fair share of scares even before Saturday’s launch, after Hrvy tested positive for coronavirus just days before filming for the launch was scheduled to take place.
It was called into question whether he would be able to take part, but he has since been declared COVID-free and can continue with training for the show.
It had been reported that stars and their professional partners may be forced to undertake daily checks for coronavirus after a former crew member tested positive days before the new series.
The Sun has also claimed that bosses have a list of ‘stand-by’ celebrities for the show in case a star falls ill with relatives likely banned from rehearsals.
This year has already seen the pros pre-record all of their group performances while isolating together in a hotel, and the couples have formed separate bubbles to train and perform together.
The series will still feature a live audience, however fans will sit in small groups and will only be allowed to attend if from the same household or bubble.
In a recent Q and A, executive producer Sarah James shed light on the show’s contingency plans in light of the pandemic and insisted she’s ‘confident’ the competition series will go ahead even if the current coronavirus restrictions change.
As the nation waits to see how the stars will fare, Strictly bosses have drawn up tough plans to deal with anyone who falls ill.
Sarah said: ‘Obviously according to government guidelines if you receive a positive test you have to isolate for two weeks and that would unfortunately rule them out of the show.’
This year’s series will be a pared down nine-week run with a very different look. The 12 partnerships – three less than usual – will be unveiled via video link rather than in the studio and the annual trip to the Blackpool Tower ballroom is also off the cards.
Explaining their use of the bubble system to ensure couples can train and perform, she added: ‘Close contact cohorts (CCC) apply to people who need to work closely and break social distancing rules to do their jobs. It has to only be with one person and you are regularly tested.
‘We are asking the celebrity contestants to be part of an exclusive support bubble with their dancers, which means that one half of the party has to live alone.’
Amazing: The launch will also see a performance by Joel Corry and MNEK (pictured) accompanied by some of the professional dancers
Keep dancing! The Strictly class are pictured (L-R top) Max George, Nicola Adams, Caroline Quentin, Bill Bailey, Jamie Laing, JJ Chalmers, Clara Amfo, Ranvir Singh, (Bottom) Caroline Quentin, HRVY, Jason Bell, Maisie Smith
The professionals spent two weeks in September isolating in a Buckinghamshire hotel so they could rehearse the group numbers.
Sarah also discussed how hairdressers and make-up artist have had to adjust to the new guidelines as she added: ‘Hair and make-up and costume are all allowed in accordance with government guidelines.
‘We were able to have our hair and make-up team working with full PPE and sanitising once hairdressers and other facilities reopened.
‘Hair and make-up were able to work with as many of the different cast as they wanted or needed to, but this year we’ll have specific makeup teams assigned to specific couples to ensure people don’t mix as much.’
Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones and Graziano Di Prima have been axed from the main line-up and won’t be coupled up with celebrity contestants for this year’s edition, but will instead form their own CCCs to perform together as support to guest singers on each show.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 7:50pm on BBC One.
Back soon: Strictly Come Dancing 2020 will return on Saturday, October 17th at 7:50pm on BBC One