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Strictly Come Dancing chaos continues as ‘third professional dancer refuses vaccine’

Three pros have declined to take the vaccine (Picture: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing is in chaos again as a third professional dancer has refused to get the Covid vaccine, according to reports.

Insiders have claimed that the star, who has been matched up with a celebrity partner, is causing ‘resentment’ among the cast and crew over their refusal to have the jab.

The dancer, however, does not have to reveal to bosses whether they’ve been vaccinated.

The news comes just days after it was learned that two pros have already rejected the jab and another tested positive for coronavirus.

‘Producers are dreading an outbreak of Covid on the new series, which is a crucial part of the autumn schedule,’ a source said.

They added to The Sun: ‘They are taking every possible precaution to make the set as safe as possible, particularly as the studio audience is returning.’

The new series kicked off on Saturday (Picture: BBC)

A Strictly spokesperson said: ‘We do not comment on speculation of somebody’s Covid vaccination status.

‘Strictly Come Dancing production has, and will, continue to follow strict government guidelines to ensure the safety of all on the show.’

Bosses have a number of protocols in place to make sure the cast and crew will be as safe as possible while filming, amid the global pandemic.

Strictly’s executive producer Sarah James explained that new quarantine rules means that contestants may be able to take some time out before returning to the competition.

More: Strictly Come Dancing

‘If a celebrity does receive a positive test, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are out of the competition,’ she told Metro.co.uk and other press. ‘It might mean they could miss a week and still get enough training in to return.

The brand new series of Strictly launched with a pre-recorded show on Saturday, with the celebrities being matched with their partners.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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