Strictly Come Dancing has been struck by coronavirus after celebrity contesant HRVY confirmed he has tested positive for COVID-19.
The YouTube star – real name Harvey Cantwell – posted a video on social media, saying: ‘Hi guys, so I wasn’t going to say anything cause I didn’t want to worry anybody, or be dramatic, but I’ve coronavirus, I’ve tested positive, all is fine.’
The internet personality, 21, confirmed he will have to remain in isolation until October 8, which is just four days before the celebrities are partnered up with their pro dancers.
The news is a major blow for bosses of the BBC One competition, who have branded the situation the show’s ‘worst-case scenario’ after ‘jumping through hoops since day one to make sure everything is done safely’.
COVID-tastrophe! Strictly Come Dancing has suffered its first celebrity COVID-19 blow – with YouTuber contestant HRVY confirming he has tested positive for coronavirus
If he is still not well when he finishes his isolation period, he will be axed from the competition.
A smiling HRVY confirmed he was asymptomatic, but admitted he was ‘bored’ because he has to stay in his bedroom for the next 14 days.
He said: ‘I’m isolating. I have no symptoms luckily, so I’m just chilling, I’m bored.
‘I’ve been making Tik Toks if you haven’t seen already but it just proves that us youngsters, we can get it and not even realise so for now stay safe.
‘I’m fine, I’m chilling but I’m going to be in this bedroom for the next ten days or two weeks. I think it’s two weeks.
‘I’m not sure but I’m going to be here for a while so I guess I’ll see you guys on the other side.’
Brave face: A smiling HRVY didn’t seem too bothered by his test results but admitted he was bored as he has to stay in his bedroom for the next fourteen days
The YouTuber tested positive on Monday and received his results on Tuesday, hence his confusion as to the quarantine period. Strictly stars are tested twice weekly.
‘This is the last thing Strictly wanted,’ a source told The Sun. ‘They’ve been jumping through hoops since day one to make sure everything is done safely and with as minimal risk to the cast and crew as possible.
‘But with just ten 10 until the celebrities are introduced to their partners, this is the worst-case scenario.
‘Bosses have scrapped the replacements this year so if someone falls sick, that’s it, they’re out. And with a crunched-down run, there is no room for error.’
HRVY was at the BBC this week with fellow contestants Jason Bell, Clara Amfo and Maisie Smith, to publicise the upcoming series.
Precautions! This follows the news that stars would potentially be undergoing daily checks for coronavirus after a former crew member tested positive days before the new series
They kept to social distancing rules and the other three have been tested and are negative.
This follows the news that stars would potentially be undergoing daily checks for coronavirus after a former crew member tested positive days before the new series.
The hit BBC One dance show was said to be in a crisis following the news with ‘everyone told to leave’ and the set given a ‘deep clean’.
Cross-contamination? HRVY was at the BBC this week with fellow contestants [L-R] Clara Amfo and Maisie Smith, as well as Jason Bell
The show must go on: Jason has tested negative – and the stars will continue to have their health monitored as the series continues
And now it has been claimed that stars could undergo daily checks in a bid to keep everyone ‘virus free’ with ‘nothing left to chance’.
A source told The Sun that Nothing is being left to chance after this positive test.
Those taking part could even undergo daily checks to make sure they remain virus free and no expense is being spared.
Too late? He will have to remain there until October 8, according to sources, which is just four days before the celebrities are partnered up with their pro dancers
The source added that the ‘nightmare scenario’ is a case going ‘undetected’ and ‘spreading’ throughout both cast and crew.
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 and no live studio audience allowed.
MailOnline has contacted Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
The site claimed that a lighting expert spent a week working on the dance contest’s set.
Following his positive test result, at least five staff who were in close contact with him were sent home and told to self-isolate and await tests of their own, according to the report.
Additionally, a deep clean of the set using powerful electrostatic sprayers, was apparently ordered.
The report also claimed that a third test on the worker is anxiously being waited for, after a second medical check on his Covid-19 status came back as ‘inconclusive.’
The publication’s source also reported that panic spread quickly among the professional dancers who were due to start filming in the studios tomorrow.
A source told also told the site that the crew member would have been in close contact with ‘dozens of others’ on the set of Strictly.
The insider said: ‘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.
‘Everything juddered to a halt while worried bosses worked out what to do. 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.’
The source also insisted that filming in the studio needs to begin this week if the show is going to be able to film the group dances ahead of the series’ scheduled start date, admitting that it’s already ‘a race against time.’.
A source told MailOnline: ‘The crew member is no longer on the production and has had a negative NHS test result.
‘Procedures were followed and stringent protocols have been put in place just in case, but recording isn’t due to happen until later this week so there is minimal impact.’
MailOnline has contacted Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
The report comes days after the final line-up of celebrities taking part in the upcoming series was confirmed.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, 57, and YouTube star HRVY were confirmed as the final contestants this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
They joined Jason Bell, Ranvir Singh, Clara Amfo, Caroline Quentin, Jamie Laing, Bill Bailey, JJ Chalmers, Max George, Maisie Smith and Nicola Adams on the line-up.