Strictly Come Dancing has axed plans for the traditional Christmas Special episode for the 2020 festive season – according to reports.
Fans of the long running BBC reality dance competition have seen their Christmas dreams stuffed for the end of the year as the coronavirus pandemic has torpedoed plans for the usual winter special.
The 2020 season of Strictly is hoping to go ahead amid the ongoing global health crisis posed by the coronavirus pandemic – although Bruno Toniloli is expected to miss out as he has repeatedly picked Dancing With The Stars to feature on in 2020 instead.
But while the main series is on course to kick off in October for a limited run of episodes, the traditional Christmas episode has been abandoned.
A show source told the Daily Star: ”Usually, filming the Christmas special only takes a few days.
“But to do it under the current guidelines would mean quarantining celebs for two weeks beforehand. It’s just not worth it for one episode.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, but producers didn’t feel like they had any choice."
The Christmas special usually sees past Strictly participants return for a second stab at success.
However, former dancers are now said to have been left disappointed by the axing of the episode.
The source explained: “The celebrities who were due to take part are devastated. They were thrilled to have the chance to return to Strictly.
"But they’ve been told they won’t miss out because they’ll get to come back in 2021."
Mirror Online have contacted a spokesperson of the show for comment.
Meanwhile, the main 2020 series looks set to be one of the most thrilling yet – with high profile stars tipped to be taking part, and two same-sex couples rumoured to make Strictly history.
