Strictly Come Dancing will be returning to life pre-covid.
In the upcoming new season, show bosses have decided to axe covid protocols including scrapping the protective screens between judges. BBC bosses have also decided to have live studio audiences return to the show for the first time in two years, as it starts filming in autumn.
However, show bosses found that some of the changes introduced in the wake of the pandemic actually worked better and will be kept. These include recording the weekly group numbers with the professional dancers in one big batch ahead of the main competition starting.
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One BBC source said: “While final plans are still being nailed down and kept fluid, Strictly bosses are planning to pre-record some of the pro dancer routines again this summer. They are also hoping to have a full studio audience back watching the live show each week.”
Anton Du Beke welcomed the removal of the screens between the judges, as it was confirmed that he would be taking long-term judge Bruno Tonioli's place on the panel. He said: "What I hope we are able to do this year, actually, is that we can get rid of the screens because we have had the screens up over the last couple of the years and the judges slightly separated. I am hoping we can get a bit closer so we can have a bit more chat amongst ourselves."
Bosses are also keen to get back to Blackpool in November after two years away. Last year executive producer Sarah James told the Mirror: “We are all so sad that we won’t be able to get to Blackpool this year but can’t wait to be back dancing at the one and only Blackpool Tower Ballroom in the future.”
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