Strictly Come Dancing stars Maisie Smith and HRVY have been pictured breaking the show’s social-distancing rules during filming for It Takes Two.
The EastEnders actress, 19, and singer, 21, were seen arriving to the studios with their professional partners on Thursday just hours after Nicola Adams and Katya Jones were axed due to the pro testing positive for coronavirus.
Maisie and HRVY, who have recently sparked romance rumours, were seen standing far less then two metres from each other outside the studios of the BBC spin-off show.
Keeping two metres? Strictly Come Dancing stars Maisie Smith and HRVY have been pictured breaking the show’s social-distancing rules during filming for It Takes Two
In the pictures, the two contestants were seen arriving to film It Takes Two together, despite the government’s requirement of maintaining at least two metres distance to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The pair were also seen chatting to their professional partners Gorka Marquez and Janette Manrara as they stood together outside the studio.
The foursome all appeared to be without face masks as they stood at a close distance together before chatting to Gethin Jones on It Takes Two.
Maisie put on a leggy display in a tiny denim mini skirt teamed with a pair of suede cowboy boots and a purple padded jacket.
Where are your masks? The EastEnders actress, 19, and singer, 21, were seen arriving to the studios with their professional partners on Thursday just hours after Nicola Adams and Katya Jones were axed due to the pro testing positive for coronavirus
Spotted: Maisie and HRVY, who have recently sparked romance rumours, were seen standing far less then two metres from each other outside the studios of the BBC spin-off show
Arrival: In the pictures, the two contestants were seen arriving to film It Takes Two together, despite the government’s requirement of maintaining at least two metres distance to prevent the spread of coronavirus
Elsewhere HRVY looked dapper in an all-black ensemble of skinny jeans and a tight-fitting T-shirt.
Pro Janette, 36, looked glamorous in a leather pencil skirt and sheer top while Gorka, 30, opted for a smart black trouser suit.
A source told MailOnline: ‘The stars are being reminded that they must stay at least two metres apart.
‘It’s hard to maintain, as everyone knows, but it’s more important than ever now for Strictly that everyone stays as far apart as possible.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Strictly Come Dancing, Maisie Smith and HRVY for comment.
Days before Strictly began, there had been doubts over whether singer HRVY would be able to compete, as he tested positive for coronavirus.
After it was announced, the singer tweeted in October: ‘Morning guys, just a little thought. I’m only 21 and in good health so it just shows that being young doesn’t make you invincible, so make sure you wear a mask please, have a good day.’
Chatty: The pair were also seen chatting to their professional partners Gorka Marquez and Janette Manrara as they stood together outside the studio
Laughter: Pro Janette, 36, looked glamorous in a leather pencil skirt and sheer top while Gorka, 30, opted for a smart black trouser suit
Close: The foursome all appeared to be without face masks as they stood at a close distance together before chatting to Gethin Jones on It Takes Two
Leggy: Maisie put on a leggy display in a tiny denim mini skirt teamed with a pair of suede cowboy boots and a purple padded jacket
Strictly was thrown into chaos this week after Nicola and Katya were axed due to the pro testing positive for coronavirus.
Elsewhere judge Motsi Mabuse revealed that she will have to self-isolate for 14 days after rushing home to Germany due to her dance school being ‘targeted’.
It was confirmed by bosses on Friday that pro dancer Anton Du Beke will be standing in for Motsi on the judging panel.
BBC have introduced strict new guidelines for this year’s couples to ensure they are kept safe during filming, which have included couples forming their own separate bubbles so the can train and perform.
Dapper: Elsewhere HRVY looked dapper in an all-black ensemble of skinny jeans and a tight-fitting T-shirt
Chat: HRVY and Gorka were spotted having a chat near the studio door as they appeared to flout social distancing
Happy: The foursome appeared in great spirits as they shared several giggles
Concerns: Days before Strictly began, there had been doubts over whether singer HRVY would be able to compete, as he tested positive for coronavirus
However celebrities and pros from separate bubbles are not allowed to mix during filming or backstage, and must maintain social distancing at all times.
In the early hours of Sunday morning HRVY and Maisie were spotted leaving the Strictly studios just one minute apart, after performing in the show’s Movie Week.
The pair were the last to leave Elstree Studios, with HRVY departing at 4:36am before being closely followed by Maisie in a separate car at 4:37am.
A source told MailOnline: ‘The stars are being reminded that they must stay at least two metres apart.’
They added: ‘It’s hard to maintain, as everyone knows, but it’s more important than ever now for Strictly that everyone stays as far apart as possible.’
Strict guidelines: BBC have introduced strict new guidelines for this year’s couples to ensure they are kept safe during filming, which have included couples forming their own separate bubbles so the can train and perform
No mixing! However celebrities and pros from separate bubbles are not allowed to mix during filming or backstage, and must maintain social distancing at all times
Home time! Gorka, left, and Maisie, right, were later seen driving home after the show
It came after Maisie described HRVY, with whom she has been repeatedly linked, as a ‘beautiful-looking guy’.
HRVY previously hinted at a possible romance with the actress in his OK! magazine column as he told how he’s ‘a little excited to see how things blossom’.
Sources also claim the pair have made an instant connection on the show, with an insider telling The Sun: ‘There is chemistry between Maisie and HRVY, both single, and they exchanged texts.
Reports: Maisie has previously described HRVY, with whom she has been repeatedly linked, as a ‘beautiful-looking guy’ (pictured dancing with pro Gorka)
Questions: HRVY previously hinted at a possible romance with the actress in his OK! magazine column as he told how he’s ‘a little excited to see how things blossom’ (pictured with Janette)
The pair’s sighting came just hours after it was revealed that Nicola and Katya had been forced to pull out of the show after the professional dancer tested positive for COVID-19.
Boxer Nicola will now have to isolate for two weeks which means she can’t continue with the competition, as COVID-19 guidelines won’t allow her to be paired up with another pro.
Katya was stunned to learn she tested positive as she didn’t display any symptoms, and is now convinced she must have caught the virus in a sandwich shop after telling bosses she hasn’t been mixing with others as she lives alone.
She and Nicola trained together on Monday and Tuesday – and Katya tested positive that day, according to sources.
A source close to Nicola told MailOnline: ‘She’s hoping her Strictly dream is not over.
‘There’s lots of hurdles to overcome but if it’s possible she can compete with Katya in the 2021 series, Nicola will want to make it happen.’
Gutted: The sighting came hours after Nicola and Katya were forced to pull out of the show following the news that the dancer had tested positive for COVID-19
While the Strictly cast have been in social bubbles, they are allowed to continue their daily business as normal, with insiders now claiming ‘furious’ BBC bosses have vowed to tighten the rules for the remaining celebs.
A Strictly representative confirmed to MailOnline that bosses are not launching an investigation into how Katya contracted the virus as there is no way to indicate where she may have caught it.
They added that as the dancer lives alone and has only been leaving her house to train, she hasn’t been socialising with others.
This also means that the Strictly final next month will feature just four couples instead of the planned five.
An insider has claimed to The Sun though that top bosses at the BBC have insisted the pro dancer ‘must have broken the strict guidelines’ and are furious that others are now at risk.
Chaos: Elsewhere judge Motsi Mabuse revealed that she will have to self-isolate for 14 days after rushing home to Germany due to her dance school being ‘targeted’ (pictured with husband Evgenij Voznyuk at an event in Frankfurt in 2017)
The insider went on to say that at least four members of the show’s crew were now in isolation after coming into contact with Katya.
A source said: ‘The BBC’s top brass are mutinous. It’s been drummed into everyone that they need to follow protocol at all times – and some are saying that Katya has clearly broken the rules.
‘Katya has been living alone at her flat and people have speculated whether she caught it when she went to grab a coffee and sandwich from shops during a break in training.
‘The BBC have since spoken to all the celebs and dancers and they’ve been told to bring in packed lunches from now on.’
New role! The official Strictly Instagram account confirmed Anton’s judging position on Friday where he is set to stand in for Motsi during her isolation
The source added this year’s stars are now paranoid they may have contracted the virus as Katya was asymptomatic, with celebrities telling their families to get supermarket deliveries and isolate as much as they can.
Strictly bosses later confirmed in a statement that Nicola cannot return next series as she would have an ‘unfair advantage’ over the other celebrities
Strictly introduced strict new measures to ensure filming could continue in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, including regular testing and placing the couples in separate ‘bubbles’ so they can train and perform together.
These ‘bubbles’ mean that any celebrity can openly mix, train and perform with their professional partner and vice versa, but they are prohibited from mixing with anyone from outside of their bubble during filming or training.
Tragic: Strictly bosses confirmed Nicola and Katya’s departure in a statement they posted on social media on Thursday
Despite these new restrictions, and some celebrities having to live alone while taking part in the series, they are not limited from going to public spaces such as shops and parks.
In some cases stars have been living alone while the other half of their pair can stay with their family or household.
This series also became the first in the show’s history to air without a live audience after England was plunged into a month-long lockdown.
This year has already seen the pros pre-record all of their group performances while isolating together in a hotel as one bubble, before being separated to join up with their celebrity partners, and thus forming their own separate bubbles.
Shortly after Strictly confirmed news of the couple’s exit, Katya posted on Instagram that her ‘heart is broken’, before paying tribute to her partner.
Dynamic duo: Nicola and Katya were Strictly’s first ever same-sex pairing, and made history when they performed in the first live show last month
A Strictly spokesperson confirmed to MailOnline that Katya is asymptomatic and the pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines.
Nicola said in a statement: ‘Hey guys! I’m absolutely devastated my Strictly journey has come to an end so soon. I had so much more to give and so many people to win this for!
‘But I just want to say a huge thank you to Katya for being the best dance partner anyone could ask for. She pushed me way out of my comfort zone and it’s been an incredible experience.
‘I’m gutted to be out of the competition but in these unprecedented times and as frustrating as it is, the COVID measures in place are to keep everyone safe, and I’m doing what I can to help.
‘I’ll be spending the next 14 days isolating so I’d like to apologise in advance for the ridiculous amount of TikToks I’ll be posting, in my new found free time when I’m not gaming!’
Safe: Strictly bosses introduced a strict ‘bubble’ system this series so couples could train and perform together, but celebrities and dancers were banned from mixing with other pairs
Katya said: ‘Dancing with Nicola has been an absolute inspiration. She’s given her all each and every week and we were so excited to create more dances in the competition.
‘Of course, I’m devastated to leave this way but I’ve made a friend for life and loved every moment of this special journey. I’d like to wish good luck to all the remaining couples!’
Sarah James, Strictly Come Dancing Executive Producer added: ‘We are incredibly sad that these unfortunate circumstances mean that Nicola and Katya are unable to continue on Strictly.
‘They are a brilliant partnership and had already achieved so much during their time on the show.
‘We’d like to thank them for their commitment and although their time in the competition has sadly come to an end we are hopeful that there will be opportunities for them to dance again in the future.’