Despite initially being one of the few live TV programmes to go ahead with filming as usual in 2020, it looks as this year’s Strictly Come Dancing could be about to be thrown into chaos as a crew member has tested positive for coronavirus.
It was announced back in April that the Beeb still planned on airing Strictly this autumn, implementing some vital measures to keep the cast and crew safe.
But just days before the professionals and celebrity sign ups were due to start filming in the rehearsal studios, one of the lighting technicians was diagnosed with Covid 19. While “at least five” other crew members who had been in close proximity to him were also sent home, BBC bosses are reportedly “panicked” by the development.
“This crew member would have been in touch with dozens of other workers on set,” said an insider.
“They were hours away from starting filming for the pre-recorded professional group dances when they got a call to say that one of the crew members had tested positive when turning up for another job."
CHECK OUT: Strictly professional salaries
Strictly Professional salaries - SLIDER
1 of 13Gorka Marquez, £105,000
The lowest salary in the line up but certainly not one to be sniffed at, on top of Gorka's £50k Strictly salary last year he brought home an extra £35k for the Strictly Professionals live tour and £20k for the one off show, Here Come the Boys, with fellow dancer Aljaz Skorjanec.
2 of 13Anton Du Beke, £172,000
Proving that with age doesn't alway come wealth (although he's hardly broke) Anton Du Beke takes home a cool £172k after his £50k Strictly salary, thanks to his own professional tour (£65k) and regular weekend work at Alton Towers (£12k).
3 of 13Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, £290,000 combined
Married couple Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara have an estimated household income of nearly £300k, thanks to their combined salaries from Strictly and the live tour. They've also raked in some extra cash from various P&O Ferry cruises.
4 of 13Motsi Mabuse, £325,000
New recruit Motsi, sister of Oti, was offered a starting salary of £200,00 when she joined the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel for this season. The German dance school she runs with husband Evgenij Voznyuk and her contract with German Weight Watchers brings home some extra bacon.
5 of 13Neil and Katya Jones, £334,000 combined
They may no longer be married, but in previous years Neil and Katya Jones have raked in a combined amount of over £340k. On top of their £100k joint salary, ticket sales from their stage show Somnium, as well as P&O Cruise and Alton Towers contracts, raked in plenty more cash for the former lovers.
6 of 13Kevin Clifton, £350,000
Reigning champ Kevin Clifton, who's currently dating his dance partner from last year Stacey Dooley, is thought to have pocketed up to £10k A WEEK last year appearing as the star name in dance shows Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor. He's also been working on new business ventures like starting his podcast and recording an album, which are sure to make him some extra £££'s.
7 of 13AJ Pritchard, £360,000
AJ is something of the Darling of Strictly Come Dancing, and his hefty paypacket is testament to that. On top of his Strictly salary, he's also starred on plenty of reality shows like Celebrity Hunted and Celebrity Masterchef. His work on the Strictly live shows makes him an extra £70k, as well as his work on Panto where he's thought to earn £100k.
8 of 13Oti Mabuse, £410,000
Returning for her fourth year this year, Oti is thought to earn just over £400k with her Strictly salary and The Professionals tour money. She also works as a judge on The Greatest Dancer with Cheryl and Matthew Morrison, not forgetting her various reality TV work.
9 of 13Shirley Ballas, £500,000
Head judge Shirley Ballas began on a meagre £180k – but negotiated a pay rise, bringing her Strictly salary up to a whopping quarter of a million quid per series. She's also earning a pretty penny from appearing on Panto each year, and teaching at a dance school in Streatham, South London.
10 of 13Tess Daly, £570,000
Tess is thought to earn £150k for her presenting role on Strictly Come Dancing, but a number of other work commitments hike her yearly income up to well over half a million quid. She also presents Children in Need each year and was a brand ambassador for global mega brands L'Oreal and Pandora.
11 of 13Craig Revel Horwood, £655,000
He might be the "lowest paid" judge on the panel, but residents Mr Nasty Craig certainly makes up for his "lacking" salary with his various other sources of income. For one, he is the main choreographer for the Strictly Live Tour, thought to earn him around £200k a year, as well as his work in Panto and renting out property.
12 of 13Claudia Winkleman, £829,000
Claudia is apparently the highest paid woman on the BBC's books so it's no wonder her yearly income is nearly £1m. On top of her £150k Strictly salary – the same as co-host Tess Daly's – she also earns a pretty penny for her Radio shows and various other BBC commitments. Other major sources of income are her big bucks beauty partnerships, including Head & Shoulders and No 7 at Boots.
13 of 13Bruno Tonioli, £1.85 Million
Top of the leaderboard (in the salary stakes) is Italian Stallion Bruno, who is the highest paid judge, with a Strictly salary of £250k. However, it's rumoured the quarter of a million paypacket isn't enough for Bruno, who earns SIX TIMES THAT judging on the American version, Dancing with the Stars.
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Speaking to The Sun they continued, “Everything juddered to a halt while worried bosses worked out what to do."
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“This is the worst-case scenario for Strictly, as they’ve gone to extreme lengths to make the show safe up to this point. Starting a show then stopping mid-production is the most expensive thing that could happen, so they’re praying it’s not more serious than just one person potentially having it.
“He came back positive which meant he had likely been symptomatic prior to the test.
“After this was discovered the remaining lighting crew were all sent home from site before everyone was told to leave several hours later and a deep clean began.”
As well as many of the usual professionals and judges, the full celebrity line up was confirmed last week.