Strictly Come Dancing WILL air on Christmas Day… but with ANOTHER ‘Best Of…’ show

Strictly Come Dancing will air on Christmas Day this winter, but not in its usual format.

Thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the seasonal special that is usually produced cannot be filmed, so fans will have to make do with a Best Of… show instead.

The hour-long special is set to look back at the nation’s top 20 Strictly moments as voted on by fans.

Past contestants, the judges and the pros will also film new contributions, commenting on the top moments. 

The stars of the forthcoming main series have been offering fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse of filming as the show finally returns to screens during the global health crisis.

In a slew of Instagram posts celebrities including Clara Amfo and Jamie Laing revealed some of the strict measures they have to follow to ensure the BBC mainstay can go ahead, including mandatory visors and regular tests backstage.

Strictly Come Dancing will finally make its return to screens this weekend after being thrown into doubt by the worldwide crisis, with the live audience and judges adhering to strict social distancing guidelines. 

Contestant Jamie posted a video of pro Giovanni Pernice heading to the medical bay for his regular COVID-19 test.

Clad in the show’s signature sequins, the dancer was in great spirits as the nurse swabbed his nose and mouth.

Jamie did seem to be struggling with the hours of training though, as he revealed a box of Compeed blister plasters to soothe his tired feet.

Meanwhile Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo revealed that stars were tasked with wearing mandatory visors backstage, sharing a fun boomerang to the Kylie Minogue track Can’t Get You Out of My Head.   

Gorka Marquez also donned a paper face mask during filming for the pre-recorded launch show, but he struggled to keep the piece on his face. 

Karen Hauer also displayed her impressive flexibility as she had her makeup done by one of the show’s crew, herself wearing a face mask and visor.

This year’s Strictly had been thrown into doubt during the COVID-19 pandemic, given couples would be unable to socially distance during a variety of performances.

The launch show will air on BBC One in just four days time on October 17, while the first live show of a pared-down nine week run will be broadcast on October 24.  

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 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.

This year has already seen the pros pre-record all of their group performances while isolating together in a hotel, and the couples have formed separate bubbles to train and perform together.

Meanwhile Bruno Tonioli will be absent from the judging panel due to quarantine restrictions should he travel to the UK from his home in Los Angeles.

However bosses have confirmed he will appear on the show in some capacity, offering his views on this year’s performances during the results show.

Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse will continue to judge the show, but will sit socially distanced at separate desks.

The series will still feature a live audience, however fans will sit in small groups and will only be allowed to attend if from the same household or bubble.

Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 7:50pm on BBC One.