ZapGossip

Susanna Reid blasts Strictly’s quarantine plans

Susanna Reid thinks quarantining ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ couples could spark more rumours of affairs.
The 49-year-old TV presenter is worried gossip will spread if contestants are put in the same house during the show because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Susanna – who appeared on the ballroom competition in 2013 – wrote in the Daily Mail newspaper: "Bosses are considering putting the pros and their celebrity partners into quarantine together for the duration to enable the show to go ahead, surely a plan that will give rise to plenty of gossip.
"I’m all for aiming for a new normal, but this will result in the show getting a different set of celebrities. No parent of young children will want to spend that much time away from home. And husbands and wives will baulk at being apart for so long."
BBC bosses have reportedly toyed with the idea to have contestants self-isolate with each other in a bid to shake things up for this year’s show.
The broadcaster is hopeful that by having dancing partners living together, it will help prevent the spread of the virus and ensure the show will air later this year.
A source explained: "’Strictly’ is so up in the air at the moment – but it is too important to the Beeb for plans not to be put in place.
"The stars would be put into isolation with their pro partners over a week before the start of the series to avoid any risks of illness.
"In theory they would stay in the same place and then train together daily with minimal contact with the outside world.
"It’s an extreme idea but it’s one of many that’s being bandied around in meetings at the moment.
"The ‘Strictly’ curse is something bosses want to avoid every year because they want it to remain a family show – but it’s a risk they’re willing to take
"’Strictly’ is the biggest show on the BBC and they want to do everything to keep it going."