Strictly Come Dancing crew member 'tests positive for coronavirus'

A \'Strictly Come Dancing\' crew member has reportedly tested positive for Covid-19.

The BBC\'s Latin and ballroom competition was set to start filming at Elstree Studios on Monday (07.09.20) but several members of the crew were said to have been sent home over the weekend after a lighting expert contracted the virus.

Those who had been in close contact with the crew member were sent home and told to self isolate while awaiting coronavirus tests, and bosses are said to have ordered a deep clean of the set, and are waiting on test results.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: "This crew member would have been in touch with dozens of other workers on set.

"They were hours away from starting filming for the pre-recorded professional group dances when they got a call to say that one of the crew members had tested positive when turning up for another job.

"Everything juddered to a halt while worried bosses worked out what to do."

\'Strictly\' bosses are said to have gone to "extreme lengths" to ensure the safety of everyone on set.

The insider added: "Starting a show then stopping mid-production is the most expensive thing that could happen, so they\'re praying it\'s not more serious than just one person potentially having it.

"He came back positive which meant he had likely been symptomatic prior to the test.

"After this was discovered the remaining lighting crew were all sent home from site before everyone was told to leave several hours later and a deep clean began."

It is thought aspects of the programme - which has been cut from 12 to nine shows, due to the pandemic - could now be at risk, due to potential filming delays.

The source said: "They have to get in the studio this week or they won\'t have time to shoot the group dances before the series starts next month."