Strictly Come Dancing was plunged into a 'no jab, no jive' row last night over the refusal of two of its dancers to be vaccinated.
Leading figures from the worlds of medicine and entertainment urged the professionals to 'reconsider their positions' as the row threatened to overshadow last night's opening show of the new series.
One unnamed professional dancer is already isolating after a positive Covid-19 test, with reports that their celebrity partner might be paired with another dancer.
And there are fears an outbreak could jeopardise the BBC's flagship show, which is set to welcome back hundreds of people into its studio audience.
A source said: 'The dancers who won't get vaccinated have been a topic of conversation with cast and crew for weeks – even before the positive test.'
GOING FOR GOLD: Strictly Come Dancing was plunged into a 'no jab, no jive' row last night over the refusal of two of its dancers to be vaccinated. Pictured: Nadiya Bychkova tears up the dancefloor with Dan Walker
Fifteen celebrities have been paired with professionals, with the line-up featuring the first all-male pairing and first deaf contestant. Eighteen professional dancers have been chosen for the latest series, and it is unclear if the two unnamed and unvaccinated individuals are among those vying for the glitterball.
Dr Ranj Singh, an NHS medic and former Strictly contestant, said: 'Vaccination is not mandatory; it's an offer. We should all be doing whatever we can to try and keep everybody safe. Not just ourselves, but those around us. There may be legitimate reasons for those people to not be able to have the jab, and we've got to understand that, but we've all got a part to play to be as safe as possible.'
As well as the dancing pairs, four judges and hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, the Strictly juggernaut employs a large production team behind the scenes.
A BBC source insisted there is currently no risk to the show or the 15 pairings, stressing that anyone who signs up knows that vaccination is not a legal requirement for the workplace. They added that all participants regularly take Covid tests.
NEW ERA: Millions were last night expected to tune into the start of the 19th series of the show, which saw the first all-male couple John Whaite (left) and Johannes Radebe
But the risk of catching Covid is higher among those not vaccinated, prompting former contestant Dame Esther Rantzen to say those refusing the jab should stand down. 'They have chosen not to be vaccinated, but I believe they should have also chosen not to take part in the show,' she said.
'I think the BBC has a responsibility to point that out to them. It is not just unfair to their dancers' partners – television is a complex team industry.'
Professor Peter Openshaw, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) which advises the Government, said he believed vaccination should not be compulsory. 'I believe there are
