Dancing On Ice bosses are fearing that the ITV skating show could be axed after five of its crew tested positive for coronavirus, it has been reported.
The hit programme, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, is set to launch this Sunday.
But producers are reportedly scrabbling to tighten up rules on set, with a source branding the situation a 'nightmare'.
An insider told The Sun : "More than five members of production are isolating because of Covid right now — it’s become a nightmare.
"ITV have put a number of stringent rules in place, and after seeing members of production going down with it, they are urging everyone to take note of them.
“They’re now enforcing even stricter regulations."
However, the source added to the publication that, although there are concerns about further people needing to isolate, bosses are fairly confident that they will be able to get the show on air.
An ITV spokesman said: “The welfare of everyone who works on Dancing On Ice is our first priority.
“We have had a robust set of measures in place ever since work on the series commenced to ensure the wellbeing of everyone connected with the production.”
If the show does go ahead, viewers will come face to face with a brand new twist which could cause some controversy.
The new series of the skating show will see 12 famous faces - Myleene Klass, Joe Warren Plant, Denise Van Outen, Faye Brookes, Sonny Jay, Jason Donovan, Graham Bell and Colin Jackson, Rebekah Vardy, Lady Leshurr, Billie Shepherd and Rufus Houndbattle - battle it out on the ice.
This weekend, six of the celebrity skaters and their partners will showcase their skating skills in the series’ opener and the remaining six will flaunt their credentials in the following week’s show.
But unlike last year, the ice skating bonanza is set for a massive shake-up as the expert Ice Panel of Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean, John Barrowman and Ashley Banjo will now have the power to award the newly created Golden Ticket to a couple of their choice...
*Dancing On Ice returns on Sunday at 6pm on ITV
