Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rose Hill

Strictly romps 'banned' as bosses plan to ignore 'chemistry' in pairing celebs and pros

Strictly bosses are attempting to banish the curse for good this year with their plan to "ignore" chemistry to pair celebrities and professionals.

Instead, the pairings will be based solely on height rather than a mix of height and chemistry between the couple.

In past years, celebrities and professionals have danced in the "Chemistry Circle", which has also been nicknamed the Speed Dating Circle due to the numerous hook-ups that have resulted from it.

Seann Walsh with Katya Jones in 2018 (Enterprise News and Pictures)

This would include the stars performing a salsa in a circle with various different professionals as they constantly swapped partners.

However, due to the pandemic, this usual process has had to be scrapped, The Sun has reported.

Gemma and Gorka have since had a daughter together after meeting on Strictly (BBC/Guy Levy)
There will be more rules in place on Strictly this year (BBC/Guy Levy)

Meanwhile the judges' entourages have also been reportedly banned from set in the strict new coronavirus rules.

Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Bruno Tonioli won't be able to have their agents, friends or family hanging around at Elstree Studios.

The same will go for this year's celebrities as the BBC show is stripped back to basics.

A source told the publication: "There will be no entourages for the judges, no agents hanging around, no friends or family members, no hair and make-up people waiting on them hand and foot.

“It will be basic crew and talent on set, and no hangers-on."

There will be no studio audience either, with an insider adding: "Everything in terms of people is being scaled back dramatically. There will be less security because there’s no audience to control.

“Anyone deemed non-essential is a goner."

*Strictly returns in October on BBC One

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.