Strictly Come Dancing’s live audience is reportedly set to make a return to the show after the UK’s lockdown ends on Wednesday.
It is thought that the contestants will finally get to perform to fans at Elstree Studios next week, although not on the upcoming Musicals Week due to the time frame being too tight for the show to sort out logistics.
The BBC show has taken a number of precautions to keep dancers safe and the show going during the pandemic, with bosses now said to be ‘delighted’ at the change.
Some normality! Strictly Come Dancing’s live audience is reportedly set to make a return to the show after the UK’s lockdown ends on Wednesday (Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez pictured)
A source told The Sun: ‘The BBC are delighted they’re able to slowly introduce an audience back up at Elstree.
‘All guests will be sat in bubbles of up to four from a single household and all must wear masks throughout the show and remain socially distanced from all other members of the crowd.
‘The BBC are delighted they’re able to slowly introduce an audience… it’s part way back to normality.’
MailOnline has contacted Strictly Come Dancing’s representative for a comment.
Coming soon: It is thought that fans will get to sit in the studios in groups of their household bubbles and stay socially distanced during the show (judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli pictured on last year’s series)
Strictly introduced strict new guidelines for this year’s series to go ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Couples dancing on the series have formed their own separate bubbles so they can train and perform.
However, celebrities and pros from separate bubbles are not allowed to mix during filming or backstage, and must maintain social distancing at all times.
Strictly was thrown into chaos earlier in November after Nicola Adams and Katya Jones had to drop out of the show due to the pro testing positive for coronavirus.
Last dance: It comes after Clara Amfo become the fifth celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly on Sunday (pictured with her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec)
And contestant HRVY did test positive for the virus ahead of the shows kicking off, however he has still been able to compete alongside pro Janette Manrara.
On last week’s Strictly Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec, 30, became the fifth couple to be sent home after a dance-off against Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer.
The dancing duos both had to perform their routines again for the judges on Sunday’s show, with Clara dancing a Jive to River Deep – Mountain High by Tina Turner and Jamie a Tango to Tanguera by Sexteto Mayor.
As she received news that she would be the next star to depart the show, Clara said: ‘I’ve had the best time ever, the best time ever and got a new friend for life. I’ve loved it. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever ever done, it’s been a dream come true.’
Tough: Clara and Aljaz were in the dance-off against Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer
Impressive: Elsewhere on the show the judges were very taken with HRVY and Janette Manrara’s performance, giving them all 10s
A ‘gutted’ Aljaz shared some parting words with his dance partner, as he playfully combined her first name with a list of classic ballroom dances.
He said: ‘First I’m really gutted. All I really want to tell you is I’m so happy we got to do Lady Clamalade, the Claraston, which I’ve never done before in my life, the Clarasambafo you are a dream to be around, you’re a beautiful girl inside out, I hope that people at home got to see that.
‘This series has been so special and its only because of you, thank you so much. I’m going to miss dancing with you.
Making history: Claudia told them: ‘You have made Strictly history, there have never been a perfect score in week 6. Craig’s first 10. You’ve never got a perfect score Janette. And you did it in those outfits. I’m so proud of you’
Clara and Aljaz had failed to impress with their Jive to Tina Turner, scoring a paltry 19 out of 30. Jamie and Karen were second from the bottom with 24 out of 30 points.
Elsewhere in the show, HRVY, 21, and Janette, 37, made history as – for the first time in week six – the pair got a perfect score, with the judges praising them for their ‘unbelievable’ Couple’s Choice routine.
Craig labelled their lyrical Couple’s Choice routine to a Sky Full Of Stars by Coldplay ‘GOAT… Greatest Of All Time.’ He added: ‘Brilliant, absolutely amazing.’
Bring it on! This Saturday’s show will be the Musicals Week special (pictured hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Day last week)