Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Judi Love pulls out of live show as she tests positive for coronavirus

Judi Love has pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing over coronavirus (Picture: PA)

Judi Love has been forced to pull out of the next Strictly Come Dancing live show after testing positive for coronavirus.

The star was set to be performing the cha cha with professional partner Graziano Di Prima, to Physical by Olivia Newton-John, on Saturday night , but will no longer be able to appear on the dance floor.

A spokesperson for the show confirmed the news, explaining that the presenter is following government guidelines and self-isolating.

‘Judi Love has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines,’ they said in a statement.

‘While Judi and Graziano will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week.’

Judi also appeared on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two this week alongside her partner, and has also popped up on the Loose Women panel – but no further announcements have been shared on whether filming for those shows will be impacted.

Judi and Graziano will not be taking to the dance floor this weekend (Picture: BBC)

The news comes just days after Tom Fletcher returned to the dance floor with partner Amy Dowden, as they were also forced to miss a live show when they both tested positive for Covid-19.

‘Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden have tested positive for Covid-19,’ a spokesperson said at the time. 

Judge Anton du Beke previously shared the measures that BBC bosses have taken behind the scenes to make sure that everyone is staying safe.

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During a stint on Good Morning Britain, he explained that ‘everyone is tested every week’, and keeping their distance backstage.

The dancer said that while coronavirus restrictions might have eased around the country, because Strictly wants to avoid any incidents, ‘they’re treating it as though we are sort of still in the grip of the pandemic and it’s all taken very seriously and everyone’s doing exactly what they should, in line with the government’.

He added: ‘Everyone’s worked too hard for this and everybody wants the show to work, the viewers and everybody involved in the show.’

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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