This year's Strictly Come Dancing will be shorter than usual as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the BBC has confirmed.
Producers have been working on a number of measures in order to enable the show to go ahead in a safe manner, including limiting studio audiences, pre-recording the group dances and enacting social distancing between the hosts.
The series typically begins each year towards the end of September with 15 couples taking part and running through until just before Christmas, but this year it will start in mid-October - with the number of celebrity contestants likely to be reduced to 12.
"To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of ongoing considerations around COVID-19, this year's series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual," said a BBC spokesperson.
"The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us."
Among the celebs linked with this year's show are Iain Stirling, Catherine Tate, Michelle Keegan and Jamie Laing.
Neil Wilkes
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