Strictly Come Dancing bosses have already confirmed some major changes for this year’s series in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but it’s claimed that an even bigger shake-up is still in store.
The judging panel, which usually features Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Bruno Tonioli and head judge Shirley Ballas, will reportedly be a member down this year as one judge’s participation is up in the air.
Bruno also judges Strictly’s American counterpart Dancing with the Stars, which airs at the same time, and usually jets between the two countries for each show but current travel restrictions means he may not be able to take part in the BBC One series.
It was rumoured last week that Cheryl was in talks to replace Bruno - and she even got the seal of approval from the man himself - but now it’s been suggested that Strictly bigwigs are planning to go ahead with the show without filling his seat.
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A TV insider told The Sun, “As things stand, Bruno won’t be replaced and they’ll switch to three judges.
“The BBC hope the rules on flying will be relaxed by the autumn which means Bruno should be able to take part.
“They don’t want to go through a long process of replacing him when he could have done it anyway so it’s very doubtful Cheryl will be there, not as a judge anyway.”
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A BBC spokesperson confirmed last week that this year’s competition will be shorter than usual, with the show rumoured to begin in October.
They announced, “The Strictly Come Dancing team are doing everything they can to bring the nation plenty of Strictly magic later this year.
"To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of the ongoing considerations around COVID-19, this year's series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual. The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us and further updates will be made in due course.”
It’s also been claimed that contestants and professional dancers will have to isolate together in order to comply with social distancing rules.