Strictly Come Dancing's iconic Blackpool week has reportedly been cancelled this year as producers scramble to get the show back on air safely.
The deadly coronavirus pandemic has thrown the jewel of the BBC's autumn schedules into doubt, although execs are working through a number of scenarios to enable it to go ahead as planned - albeit with major changes.
Live studio audiences have already been scrapped for this year, and according to the Daily Star, the decision has now been taken to axe Blackpool week and the weekly group dances too.
"Strictly will be a very different show this year. A lot of the things fans love have been dropped," a source told the newspaper. "Group dances and a studio audience just can't happen with social distancing.
"Cancelling Blackpool weekend was not an easy decision. But doing it in the current climate is too difficult. It isn't worth doing if there won't be a crowd."
The show is hoping to secure a host of top names for this year's lineup, with TikTok sensation Holly H the latest name to be linked.
Neil Wilkes
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