Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing ‘suffers blow as Nadiya Bychkova gets Covid’ days into production: ‘This isn’t a dream start’
Nadiya Bychkova has reportedly tested positive for Covid (Picture: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing has suffered a blow with reports that professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova has tested positive for Covid.
The first week of production on the BBC One series has already begun with the likes of BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker, Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn and Bake Off winner John Whaite among the stars confirmed for the line-up so far.
However, The Sun reports that Nadiya has since tested positive meaning many of the cast and crew have to self-isolate for 10 days.
‘This isn’t exactly the dream start. Obviously BBC bosses are panicking,’ a source told the publication.
‘They are taking every caution to be Covid secure, and keep everyone safe, but can’t control everything. Nadiya tested positive during one of the first meet-ups, during the studio rig.
‘Thankfully none of the celebs have started training yet, but it still means anyone who came into contact with her has been told they must isolate.’
According to the insider, Strictly bosses fear the dancers and celebrities will ‘continue to test positive as the rehearsals and training starts for real’ later this month.
The professional dancer has appeared on Strictly since 2017 (Picture: WireImage)
They added: ‘Yet more measures and precautions may need to be put in place – clearly execs won’t take any chances, and safety is their number one priority.’
It’s thought that the upcoming series is still on track to launch this autumn.
Nadiya, 31, joined Strictly in 2017 when she was partnered up with EastEnders star Davood Ghadami. Since then, she’s coupled up with Blue singer Lee Ryan and former footballer David James. She did not partner with a celebrity in the 2020 series but appeared as a support dancer.
This year’s Strictly will make history as it will be the first series to feature an all-male couple. Bake Off’s John will make up half of the duo but his professional partner is yet to be revealed.
More: Coronavirus
McFly singer Tom Fletcher has also been confirmed for the line-up alongside CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson. Other stars include: Dragons’ Den’s Sara Davies, TV presenter AJ Odudu and Peep Show’s Robert Webb.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to debut this autumn.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Nadiya’s rep for comment while the BBC has declined.
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