BBC boss admits Strictly risk amid Boris Johnson’s new strict coronavirus rules

BBC boss Kate Phillips has addressed the impact new strict coronavirus rules could have on Strictly Come Dancing following the government’s announcment yesterday.

Phillips, who is the entertainment controller at the BBC, admitted that Strictly was the “toughest show to get going” but insisted that they would rise to the challenge.

She also explained the measures they had taken ahead of the new series, including pre-filming all 14 group dances, which meant 300 costume changes.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation and drafted in a raft of new rules to combat the rising cases of coronavirus.

The measures included decreasing the number of people allowed to attend a wedding to 15, mandatory face masks worn by retail workers and implementing a 10pm curfew on pubs, bars and restaurants.

However, the rule of six is still in place, which allows six people from separate households to mix.

Speaking yesterday, Phillips told the Mirror and other news outlets: “I think after the tough news yesterday, never have we needed some Strictly sparkle more.

“As I’m sure you all agree, Strictly is the toughest show to get going under the current climate, but I cannot tell you how impressed we’ve been with the work BBC Studios have been doing.

“Not just to make sure that it is safe for everyone taking part in the show but also the inventiveness that we’ve seen. As challenges have emerged, new ideas have emerged and it really is a case of necessity is the mother of all invention.”

Addressing filming the group dances, Phillips explained: “So, for the past four weeks all of our pro dancers have been at a hotel together, isolating so that we could record early all of the big group numbers.

“It was a big challenge, they were there in the hotel with some of the key production team members including Vicky and all of her wardrobe team. And I’m really pleased to say that they have recorded all 14 of their spectacular numbers, they are in the bag!

“Which is a big relief. I think there were over 300 costume changes during that time to make them look as amazing as ever.”

*Strictly Come Dancing returns in October on BBC One