Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas confirms 2021 series will be a FULL 13 episodes… after 2020’s was cut down to just 9 shows due to COVID-19
Strictly Come Dancing seems to be back on track in 2021, according to judge Shirley Ballas.
The 2020 series was severely cut down due to the pandemic, but Shirley, 60, seems confident that won’t be the case this year.
Shirley was asked by a fan on Cameo what she knows about Strictly 2021, revealing: ‘Just a little something: I heard they’re trying to do all 13 episodes this year.
Back to normal? Strictly Come Dancing seems to be back on track in 2021, according to judge Shirley Ballas
‘Last time we had nine. We’re trying to get 13 shows on. I think they’re getting used to the Covid thing.’
Like most TV productions amid the pandemic, measures were enforced to make Strictly Covid-safe.
Judges weren’t allowed to sit at one panel – placed at three socially-distanced desks.
Pro dancers and their partners formed bubbles, unable to live at home with their loved ones between shows.
Toned down: The 2020 series was severely cut down due to the pandemic with pro dancers and their partners forming bubbles, unable to live at home with their loved ones between shows
Lucky number? Shirley, 60, was asked by a fan on Cameo what she knows about Strictly 2021, revealing – ‘Just a little something: I heard they’re trying to do all 13 episodes this year’
A reduced audience were in the studio when the series first kicked off, but this was scrapped when the UK’s November lockdown was enforced.
Judge Bruno Tonioli had to miss the series due to being unable to travel from the UK to the US in between shows as he normally does. He made a few appearances via video link.
Judge Motsi Mabuse also missed a show as she had a Covid scare, and boxer Nicola Adams had to pull out of the show entirely after testing positive for coronavirus.
The show was able to soldier on regardless, with Bill Bailey taking home the trophy.
2m rule: Like most TV productions amid the pandemic, measures were enforced to make Strictly Covid-safe. Judges weren’t allowed to sit at one panel – placed at three socially-distanced desks
Victory: The show was able to soldier on regardless, with Bill Bailey taking home the trophy
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn, with no-one confirmed as a contestant yet.
However, Coral bookmakers have backed internet star Jackie Weaver at 10-1 to appear.
‘Jackie Weaver has become an internet sensation overnight. She is now being backed to be on the Strictly dance floor later this year,’ said Coral’s John Hill.
Will she, won’t she? Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn, with no-one confirmed as a contestant yet. However, Coral bookmakers have backed internet star Jackie Weaver at 10-1 to appear
Jackie made headlines last week when a Handforth parish council Zoom meeting went viral, of which she was the chair.
No-nonsense Jackie was drafted in to oversee proceedings amid claims of bullish behaviour from some of the council members during meetings, and was met with vicious remarks and aggressive yelling as a result.
She wasted no time in deleting those responsible from the Zoom conference in the recorded meeting, which was leaked online and ended up gaining her hero status.