Strictly Come Dancing FIRST LOOK: Janette Manrara leads the pros arriving at a SECRET hotel

Fans have been awaiting the return of Strictly Come Dancing amid uncertainty of its future due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But Janette Manrara, 36, and Neil Jones, 38, led the pros arriving at a SECRET hotel in Buckinghamshire to begin training for the upcoming series of the BBC show.

The dancers and their celebrity partners will isolate together for the next few months. 

Dancer Neil was all smiles as he pulled up at the hotel on his motorbike, clad in head-to-toe black, using a bandana hung around his neck as a makeshift face mask. 

It come after judge Bruno Tonioli, 64, has confirmed he won’t be appearing on the judging panel this series.

Bosses confirmed on Friday that the judge will make remote appearances from his home for the Sunday night results shows at the beginning of this series, as he is unable to travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But fans need not fear as bosses vowed they hope to have Bruno back in the studio towards the end of the series, alongside judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.

Executive producer Sarah James said: ‘I’m overjoyed that we’ve found a way for Bruno to be part of this year’s Strictly. 

‘His passion and enthusiasm are such a big part of the show, I’m thrilled we can continue to deliver that to audiences this year.’

Bruno added: ‘I absolutely adore being part of Strictly and can’t wait to see what incredible dancing this year has in store! 

‘Lockdown has resulted in me being in LA for the foreseeable, but I’m excited to be involved as much as I possibly can. There was no cha-cha-chance I’d miss out!’ 

It was previously reported that Bruno could make a comeback to Strictly later this year after being unable to appear due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The judge usually jets between London and Los Angeles to sit on the panel for both the long-running UK show as well as its US counterpart Dancing With The Stars.

But due to the global coronavirus pandemic impacting travel restrictions it was reported that the Italian choreographer had favoured the US version when forced to pick just one of the shows. 

Sources added that bosses were hopeful that Bruno could make an in-person appearance for the grand final in December. 

A source told The Daily Star: ‘Travel restrictions in place because of coronavirus meant he couldn’t fly back and forth to do both shows this year, so he picked Dancing With The Stars. 

‘But Strictly’s producers were still keen for him to make an appearance if it was possible.’ 

The source added: ‘Dancing With The Stars usually ends a few weeks before Strictly’s final. So the plan is for Bruno to jet back to the UK as soon as he’s finished with his ­commitments in the US.  

MailOnline contacted Bruno’s representatives for comment at the time.

The news also came after fellow Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, who has appeared on the show alongside Bruno since 2004, said he was confident the choreographer would make a ‘triumphant return’ in 2021.

He said: ‘They might throw guest judges in for fun. Then when everything’s back to normal, Bruno can make his triumphant return!’

In recent weeks, various big-name stars have been mentioned as a possible replacement for Bruno including Cheryl.

But Craig said he doubted whether the pop star would appear on the upcoming series, saying: ‘Lovely girl, but I don’t think it will happen.’

This year’s Strictly is set to start in October instead of the usual start in early September and will be several weeks shorter than normal.  

Earlier this month it was reported that show executives are ‘devising 100 different formats’ to align with current guidelines as filming prepares to take place in Elstree Studios for a start date of October 24.

The restrictions include putting a limit on the amount of people allowed on set, as well as excluding ‘chemistry circles’ in auditions, which sees contestants alternate in ‘sexy’ dances with professionals so producers can decide ‘who look good together’.

A BBC source told The Sun: ‘Preparing for this year’s show is a huge headache. The goalposts keep moving, so the big decisions are being left to the last minute so we’re as up to date as possible.

‘But any concrete things we can decide on now, we are doing. Making one hit series is hard enough. As things stand, we are having to plan for hundreds. The slightest change to the rules could have a massive impact on how the show is filmed. Many [celebs] are weighing up their options, so Strictly still doesn’t have a full line-up.’

The insider claimed the competition will be held in a near-empty, no-audience studio with a scaled-back crew consisting of only 25 per cent of the usual team for the first time in the show’s 16-year history.

Another aspect of the series that is believed to have changed is the partnering process, which could be decided on height alone as opposed to the celebs performing salsa dances in a circle with all ballroom experts.

It’s also been reported that BBC bosses have scrapped plans for celebrities and professional dancers to isolate together.

In a last minute change of plan, the couples will instead be in a ‘bubble’ system and there will be regular testing ahead of the live shows, The Sun reports.

However, the dancers are still said to be isolating together this month so that they can pre-record group routines. 

A TV source told the publication: ‘The idea of holing sexy dancers up with celebrities made it impossible to sign anybody up.’

It comes after Strictly Come Dancing bosses denied celebrities such as Michelle Keegan and Jessie J declined to be on the show this year because of the ‘low’ £60,000 appearance fee. 

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline on Wednesday, a Strictly source has contested reports that several celebrities had turned them down and said only those who have signed onto the show were offered a fee.

The source explained: ‘Everyone we have offered a fee to this year have been confirmed as part of the line up, so nobody has declined appearing in the show after we’ve begun negotiations.’