It Takes Two host Rylan Clark-Neal has spoken out on the possibility of Strictly Come Dancing being cancelled if the coronavirus outbreak causes another national lockdown in the UK.
Fans of the glitzy show were thrilled when it was confirmed that the competition would go ahead this year, albeit with a smaller line-up and a socially distanced audience. However, with the first show of the series due to air on October 17, concerns have arisen since contestant HRVY tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
Clark-Neal, who hosts companion show It Takes Two, has said "no one knows" exactly what will happen, but the series currently intends to go ahead as planned.
Speaking to the MailOnline he said: "If Strictly can't go ahead for whatever reason, of course, it won't.
"The main thing that Strictly and the BBC have said since day one is, if we can't do it properly and safely, it's not going to be done. As far as I know at the moment, it's all still going ahead and we are really looking forward to it.
"For those watching at home, it's still going to feel like the Strictly everyone knows and loves.
"But of course, if the current restrictions change, there’s no way the BBC would go against the law, but I think that’s the same for every live TV show at the moment.
"Who knows, we’ll have to wait and see. But fingers crossed. Things are changing daily and no one knows what’s going to happen."
Last month, it was confirmed that ex-boxer Nicola Adams will feature as the contestant in Strictly's first same-sex couple.
Clark-Neal said he thinks the show's inclusive approach is a great step towards embracing the LGBTQ community.
'"It's really exciting, but I think it will be like Dancing On Ice with Ian "H" Watkins and Matt Evers, in the sense that they were a great addition, but after the first week, their same-sex pairing became the norm.
"It's never been done before on Strictly so it's going to be a big deal and I think it's a really good step towards normalising it.
