Strictly Come Dancing to keep dancing during new lockdown

Strictly Come Dancing is to carry on through the new lockdown in England.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said TV and film production can continue when the four-week lockdown comes into force on Thursday.

So, unlike in the spring lockdown, most reality and talent shows, soaps and other programmes are not expected to suspend filming.

A Strictly spokesman confirmed it would keep going, and would “continue to adhere to government guidelines”.

He said: “We have rigorous protocols in place to manage Covid-19 as the safety of all those involved in the production is paramount.”

More than 11 million people tuned in to watch week one. On Sunday, former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith became the first contestant to be voted off.

The autumn’s other big new TV shows include ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, which will relocate from the Australian jungle to a derelict castle in north Wales because of the pandemic.

The start date has not been confirmed but it is expected to launch on 15 November. Wales’s own “firebreak” lockdown will end on 9 November.

When the firebreak was announced last month, Gwrych Castle announced that filming could continue, while ITV is going ahead with its promotional plans.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Coronation Street said filming would continue on the cobbles. “We are adhering to the government’s production guidelines and as we have health and safety protocols and measures in place we are continuing to film,” she said.