September is here, so it must be Strictly crisis season.
And, true to form, not only has the show had to try to keep the lid on news that one professional dancer tested positive for Covid two weeks ago, they have had three dancers unmasked as unvaccinated, too.
The story has snowballed over the week amid a chorus of disapproval that includes not only former professional dancers but even the Prime Minister.
For who on earth would accept a job dancing cheek to cheek with a stranger for 13 weeks and not be vaccinated?
There are reports of consternation among the celebrity contingent, who are said to be ‘shocked’ that the show isn’t taking more care of them.
Worries: The identity of the dancers was not revealed and BBC bosses were said to be fearful that there could be a larger outbreak among those participating in the show
Concerns: It came just three days after it emerged that one professional dancer has tested positive for Covid-19 (Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are pictured)
By Thursday, the BBC was having to work hard to dampen speculation that at least one celebrity wanted to swap as a result of the hoo-ha.
It insisted that there would be no ‘re-couplings’ and that all of the celebrities were going to stick with the professionals that they were paired with during the lengthy launch show, broadcast last week.
One rather rattled Beeb source described reports that the unvaccinated pros would sooner quit than submit to a jab as ‘bull****.’
The corporation released a statement saying: ‘A lot has been written about vaccinations and Strictly in recent days. The BBC has never commented on nor confirmed the vaccination status of anyone on the show. It’s not our place to.
‘It is not the case that concerns have been raised with the BBC or the Strictly production team from dancers or celebrities about vaccination, or that they have threatened to quit.’
Contestants and viewers alike are now taking part in a Strictly guessing game. So who are the great unjabbed?
And should the Beeb be protecting them — or sidelining them in the name of safety?
WHO CAN YOU RULE OUT?
Amy Dowden, Giovanni Pernice and reigning champion Oti Mabuse have all had two Covid jabs.
Dowden, 31, who is teamed with pop star Tom Fletcher, 36, was jabbed ahead of most of her age group because she suffers from Crohn’s disease.
Amy Dowden, Giovanni Pernice and reigning champion Oti Mabuse have all had two Covid jabs
She spoke about her vaccinations earlier this year. She has danced on the BBC show since 2017.
Giovanni Pernice, 31, partnering deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, 26, told Hello! Magazine over the summer that he was double-jabbed and had been over to Italy to visit family.
He shares a flat in London with new pro Kai Widdrington, 26, who is teamed with TV presenter A.J. Odudu, 33.
Oti Mabuse, 31, teamed with rugby player Ugo Monye, 38, is also double-jabbed.
IT WASN’T ME
Dancer Luba Mushtuk, 31, is without a celebrity partner this year.
As controversy raged over the unvaccinated dancers, she wrote on Twitter: ‘No doubts here. Just saying.’
This has led some to think that she has had the jab, and is saying none too subtly that she wishes she had a celebrity to partner.
Dancer Luba Mushtuk, 31 is without a celebrity partner but wrote on Twitter: ‘No doubts here. Just saying.’
Her agent did not return requests for comment. There is a belief that Johannes Radebe, 34, paired with baker John Whaite, 32, is also vaccinated.
He took part in numerous shows over the summer, including filming Celebrity Masterchef.
On Twitter in December a fan wrote: ‘Give Johannes the first COVID-19 vaccine. WE MUST PROTECT HIM AT ALL COSTS!.’
Johannes, clearly tickled, retweeted it twice with crying laughing emojis. Neither Luba’s nor Johannes’s agents responded to requests to comment.
CAN’T (OR WON’T) SAY
Many of the professional dancers were this week citing privacy as a reason for not giving their vaccination status. Popular Aljaz Skorjanec, 31, remained silent.
His agent said: ‘An individual’s Covid vaccination status is private medical information. This is an intrusion of privacy and we aren’t willing to comment or engage further on this.’
Much the same words were used by those speaking for Karen Hauer, 39.
Others who declined to reveal their vaccination status include Graziano Di Prima, 27, Katya Jones, 32, Nadiya Bychkova, 32, Nancy Xu, 29, Neil Jones, 39, Kai Widdrington, Nikita Kuzmin, 23, Jowita Przystal, 27, Cameron Lombard, 20, and Dianne Buswell, 32.
Graziano Di Prima, Neil Jones, Kai Widdrington, Nikita Kuzmin, Aljaz Skorjanec, Cameron Lombard and Gorka Marquez have all refused to comment on their vaccination status
Gorka Marquez, 31, who has a three-year-old daughter with former Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson, 36, appeared on This Morning on Thursday and repeated the party line.
He said: ‘What I know is the show is taking big responsibility to keep everyone safe, lots of testing, lots of trying to keep everyone distant and safe during the studio.’
Pressed about whether he would prefer to be in a vaccinated environment he said: ‘Do you know what, everyone is free to do whatever they want. You go on the streets right now, some people might be vaccinated, some people might not.’
COME THROUGH COVID
Nadiya Bychkova had Covid in July - testing positive soon after returning to the UK from Slovenia.
She had to quarantine for ten days, as did some Strictly staff who had come into contact with her.
Katya Jones also had Covid, testing positive last year, which caused her and partner Nicola Adams to quit the show prematurely. That, though, was before vaccines were available.
Nadiya Bychkova (right) and Katya Jones (left) both had Covid in the last 12 months and had to quarantine
The third pro who tested positive earlier this month is widely thought to be Nancy Xu (left) partnered with CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson, 27.
The third pro who tested positive earlier this month is widely thought to be Nancy Xu, partnered with CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson, 27.
Eagle-eyed fans have noted that her official portrait shows her in last year’s outfit, which may imply that she was quarantining at the time this year’s photo shoot took place.
The BBC say that the pro in question was able to take part in recording the launch show. They declined to comment on the pro’s identity.
A BBC source pointed out that those who have had Covid may also be vaccinated.
QUARANTINERS
Neil Jones, partnered with actress Nina Wadia, 52, had to quarantine in June after returning from a holiday in Mexico.
He was notified that a passenger on his plane had tested positive for Covid.
Neil Jones, partnered with actress Nina Wadia, 52, had to quarantine in June after returning from a holiday in Mexico
Dianne Buswell, partnered with comedian Robert Webb, 48, quarantined in a hotel for 14 days this summer after she returned to her native Australia to visit family
Dianne Buswell, partnered with comedian Robert Webb, 48, quarantined in a hotel for 14 days this summer after she returned to her native Australia to visit family.
Hotel quarantine is mandatory in Australia regardless of vaccination status.
UNPARTNERED TRIO
There are only three unassigned dancers — newcomers Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystal and Luba Mushtuk.
PROS ALL ELIGIBLE?
Yes - those who live elsewhere, or are not British residents, are eligible to have the vaccinations in the UK. Age will also not be an issue.
The youngest dancer, Nikita Kuzmin, is 23 and would have been offered a first jab in June, and a second six weeks later.
The youngest dancer, Nikita Kuzmin, is 23 and would have been offered a first jab in June, and a second six weeks later
You don’t have to have an NHS number, GP or any official documents to ask for a vaccine.
VULNERABLE CELEBS
Some of the celebrities are potentially more vulnerable to Covid owing to underlying health conditions.
Loose
