Strictly celeb’s ‘fury’ they weren’t ‘protected’ as BBC reassures contestants over Covid safety

A Strictly Come Dancing celebrity hopeful is said to be “furious” they have been partnered with a dancer who has reportedly refused to have the Covid vaccine.

Anger has been growing and James Jordan was among the toughest of critics calling for the three dancers who have allegedly refused to have the Covid jab to be sacked from the show.

BBC has refused to comment on the Covid vaccination status of the professional dancers but a spokesperson vowed the strict government guidelines remain in place to ensure the safety of the show.

Now a reportedly angry celebrity partner has told friends: “We should have been protected.”

A friend of the celeb told The Sun: “They just couldn’t believe that their partner would not have had a jab. Strictly is the biggest show on TV and has been trumpeting its anti-Covid measures throughout the pandemic.

“They thought they’d be protected so to discover their partner hasn’t even had a single jab is very worrying. The couple have already spent tens of hours practising together. Clearly, there is a lot of anger and a lot of questions to be asked.”

The Standard have approached BBC representatives for further comment.

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It comes as former Strictly professional dancer James Jordan, who starred on the show from 2006 to 2013, has slammed the “really selfish” dancers who have apparently opted not to have the coronavirus vaccine.

The ballroom dancer and choreographer, 43, has called for any of the dancers who refused the jab to be “sacked” from the BBC show on Tuesday.

He told Good Morning Britain: “I would normally protect the professional dancers until the cows come home but on this particular occasion I can’t unfortunately.

“I definitely believe they don’t deserve their right on the show and the celebrities have every right to refuse to dance with them.”

He added: “I just think it’s a really, really selfish thing to do. And also, what you have to remember, in previous years on Strictly, your immune system gets low, lots of people get sick anyway. This is way before coronavirus...

“I say let’s not have these professional dancers [who haven’t had the jab] on the show.”

The identity of the three professional dancers who have reportedly not received the vaccination remains a secret.

A Strictly spokesperson told The Standard: “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.”

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