Strictly Come Dancing 2021 latest – Tom Fletcher & Amy Dowden return date CONFIRMED on It Takes Two by Rylan Clark-Neal
RYLAN Clark-Neal has confirmed Tom Fletcher & Amy Dowden will return to the live show on October 9 after completing quarantine.
The McFly star and his dance partner will miss Saturday's show due to testign positive for Covid-19 – but will head to the floor the week after providing they test negative.
Rylan Clark-Neal made the announcement at the beginning of Monday's It Takes Two show – the first in this year's series.
The 36-year-old McFly star and his professional dance partner confirmed yesterday they had both tested positive for coronavirus.
But Strictly viewers have accused the series of double standards – recalling how the show's first ever same-sex couple were disqualified last year when they tested positive for coronavirus.
Nicola Adams and her professional dance partner Katya Jones were forced out of the competition following their tests.
Read our Strictly Come Dancing live blog for the latest updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Does the Strictly winner get to keep the Glitterball Trophy?
So the answer is yes, and no – as it’s not as straight forward as you think.
After the Strictly winner gets handed the Glitterball by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, they have to hand it back after pictures are taken.
Instead both the celebrity and their professional dance partner are handed smaller versions of the trophy.
Chatting on Sunday Brunch, 2011 winner Harry Judd explained: “They give you the big [Glitterball] and then they take it straight off you and give you this tiny little one.”
- Joseph Gamp
Explained: Is Tom Fletcher leaving Strictly?
Strictly was plunged further on September 26 as celebrity dancer Tom Fletcher and his professional partner caught Covid – and may have to drop out of the competition.
It’s uncertain if he will have to leave the show but the blow means that the McFly singer will have to miss next week’s show as he goes into ten days of isolation.
And Tom, 36, who’s partnered with Amy Dowden, will only be allowed back on the show if he tests negative in time for the following week.
A BBC spokesman told The Sun: “Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden have tested positive for Covid-19.
“The pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines.
“While they will both miss Saturday’s live show, Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week.”
- Joseph Gamp
Robert Webb: 'Good to put smile on people's faces'
Robert Webb said it was good to put a smile on people's faces as he joked about his performance on Saturday night.
Rob's partner Dianne Buswell says she hopes the judges enjoyed watching them dance as much as they enjoyed it themselves.
"It will be a complete flip on the Cha Cha", says Dianne about their next dance on Saturday evening.
- Joseph Gamp
AJ & Kai will perform Foxtrot
Kai has also revealed the pair will be dancing the Foxtrot on Saturday's show.
- Joseph Gamp
AJ Odudu on her Saturday performance
AJ says her performance was ok, bugt Janette says she made an incredible start.
Her partner Kai Widdrington says AJ is the "perfect student" and that he expects that she will give "100% every week".
- Joseph Gamp
Kev Clifton: 'There were all brilliant'
Rylan says the cast "were all brilliant" in Saturday's first live show.
Kevin Clifton says the buzz and energy of the couples was "unreal"
- Joseph Gamp
'People struggling to be accepted everyday'
John Whaite says he is exceptionally lucky to be in his position.
he comments on how people are struggling to be accepted every day and that he feels "guilty" for being in such a privileged place.
Janette tells him he should be extremely proud.
- Joseph Gamp
John Whaite says Saturday was 'mind blowing'
John and Johannes are omn the show and they say the first all-male couple dance was 'amazing'.
But the Bake-Off star says despite being second on the leader board, the pair have to start again and approach the next dance with a clean slate.
- Joseph Gamp
Rylan addresses Tom Fletcher news
Rylan says Fletcher and dance partner Amy Dowden will miss this Saturday's live show.
They have tested positive for Covid and are in self-isolation.
But he said they WILL return for the following Saturday's show.
- Joseph Gamp
Rylan and Janette 'go separate ways'
Don't worry, the new duo haven't fallen out.
Rylan will host It takes Two at the start of the week, while Janette will helm the shows from Wednesday onwards.
- Joseph Gamp
John Whaite to discuss Saturday's dance
Kevin Clifton will also be on the show tonight.
- Joseph Gamp
Rylan's head chopped off
An amusing joke about Rylan's height was made.
He joked that the camera should be brought down to get his full frame.
Meanwhile, Janette asked for the camera to "come back up a bit".
- Joseph Gamp
It Takes Two begins!
Strictly It Takes Two has kicked off with an amusing intro featuring Rylan and Janette.
Stay with us for the all the action and analysis of Saturday's show.
- Joseph Gamp
It Takes Two about to start
Strictly 'It Takes Two' will be return to our screens tonight.
It'll be headed up by Rylan Clark-Neal and co-host Janette Manara at 6.30pm.
Follow all the latest from the spin off show right here
- Milica Cosic
Strictly's anti-vax scandal
Tom's devastating Covid result comes at the end of a week in which Strictly has been embroiled in an anti-vax scandal where three pros have not had their jabs.
It is believed the celebrities they've been partnered with have been unaware which of them are unvaccinated.
Another celebrity tested positive for Covid just over two weeks ago and only came out of isolation on Thursday leaving them with two days to prepare for Saturday's first live show.
Tom’s dance partner Amy, has publicly acknowledged she is vaccinated as she was offered her jabs at an early stage due to the fact she suffers from Crohn's Disease.
She posted on Instagram: "Unfortunately Tom and I have tested positive for Covid-19. I'm not suffering any symptoms but am now isolating at home.
"I have no doubt that over the next 10 days my mind will be going crazy with choreography ideas ready to get back on the Strictly dance floor for the live show in week 3.
"Thank you for all of the support and good luck to all of the couples this week. I will be cheering you all on."
The Sun has contacted Strictly for comment.
- Milica Cosic
Strictly celebs ‘terrified’ show will shut down
The series was plunged into crisis yesterday when it emerged that Tom Fletcher and his pro partner Amy Dowden had caught coronavirus.
Today, a source said the news of Tom and Amy’s positive tests had been met with “despair” by bosses who are “terrified” of the virus ripping through the set.
“Having a couple test positive one week in is a nightmare," our insider added. "The show has had days and days of scandal with the stories about some pro-dancers not being jabbed. Now they’ve got to deal with this.
“There’s a sense of despair at the way things are playing out and some on the show are terrified that more positive tests could emerge. If that happens it would put the whole show at risk.”
- Milica Cosic
Who are the Strictly judges this year?
- Motsi Mabuse – On July 22, 2019, Motsi Mabuse was revealed as Darcey’s replacement on the hit show.
- Shirley Ballas – Shirley is a ballroom dancer from Merseyside. She made her first appearance on the Strictly panel in 2017 as head judge, taking over from Len Goodman.
- Bruno Tonioli – He is an Italian dancer and choreographer from Ferrara. He has been a judge on Strictly since the show aired its first series in 2004.
- Craig Revel Horwood – Craig Revel Horwood, 54, was born in Victoria, Australia. He is one of the shows original judges along with Bruno.
Strictly’s unjabbed pro-dancers BACKED by BBC
The BBC has backed Strictly Come Dancing‘s unjabbed dancers after mounting pressure to be vaccinated to stay in the series.
It’s after The Sun revealed a trio of professionals embroiled in the anti-vax storm have said they would rather quit than be jabbed.
Ahead of the first live show this weekend, the BBC has released a statement making clear they are NOT enforcing stars to be vaccinated in order to compete.
Read the article in full here.
Fans convinced of a romantic connection
Tilly, the daughter of chef Gordon, and pro star Nikita, wowed fans with their elegant waltz on Saturday.
Dancing to Camila Cabello’s track Consequences, Tilly, 19, looked sensational in a glittery lilac dress as she glided across the dance floor.
BBC One fans were in awe of the performance and were quick to suggest a romantic connection between the pair.
One wrote: “Tilly and Nikita are my favourites, they’d make the cutest couple. #Strictly #Strictlycurse”
Another wrote: “Odds on Tilly Ramsay and Nikita being a couple by the end of this series. #Strictly”
“Tilly and Nikita are so cute together omg. #Strictly”
Strictly "don't have a clue" who has or hasn't had Covid-jab
Earlier this month, we revealed how at least THREE pro-dancers have refused to be vaccinated.
But confused bosses fear that there are MORE dancers could be unprotected and sources say they "don't have a clue" who has or hasn't had a Covid-jab.
"The simple truth is the BBC doesn't know who is or isn't vaccinated," the insider said.
"It's believed to be three but it could easily be double that. There are very strict rules about this and nobody is being asked officially to disclose their vaccine status.
"It's a ridiculous situation that the BBC have boxed themselves into. It's a drip, drip of revelations right now about people not having had the jab. There just needs to be a meeting where everyone can be sat down and asked about this.
"It is not about forcing people to have the vaccine. But if some are choosing not to then everyone else at least has the right to know about it. The BBC is effectively trying to create a policy to keep the show Covid-free when they have no actual clue of the scale of the problem they currently face."
'Strictly stars who refused Covid jab should be AXED'
Ballroom dancers AJ and Curtis Pritchard have slammed the professionals who plunged Strictly into crisis by refusing to get their Covid jabs.
The TV stars – who championed The Sun's Jabs Army campaign – called for those who turned down the life-saving vaccine to be AXED from the BBC show's main line-up.
Love Islander Curtis, 25, said celebrities paired with un-vaxxed dancers should be allowed to dance with one of the many reserve pros who are double-jabbed and waiting in the wings.
He said: "There’s always reserve professionals on there isn’t there.
"So if they’re thinking of pulling the show I don’t think that should happen. Maybe remove the pros that aren't getting the jab. But not get rid of them or fire them. There’s always reserves on the show.
"So bring the ones in that have had the jab this year. Put the other ones on the reserve list.
"They’re still part of the programme, and the show can go on and move forward."
Read the article in full here.
- Milica Cosic
Unjabbed could ruin Strictly
Anton Du Beke says unjabbed dancers who accidentally spread Covid backstage could cause “the end” of Strictly.
The new judge, 55, warned a coronavirus outbreak behind-the-scenes would cause the nineteenth series of the hit show to be pulled off air
Speaking on Good Morning Britain earlier today after The Sun revealed three professionals dancers had refused the life-saving vaccine, Anton said: “In all seriousness I don’t know (who is unjabbed) because I’m not a pro anymore so I’m not involved in the group.
“Everyone’s keeping their distance and wearing masks and everything’s geared up like we’re in the grip of the pandemic.
“It’s all taken seriously and everyone’s following government advice. If something spreads through the group then it’s the end of the show.
“Everyone wants it to work because of all their hard work. I can’t wait for the first show.”
- Milica Cosic
Who performs the songs on Strictly Come Dancing?
Strictly Come Dancing is not just loved by audiences for the brilliant dancing, but also for the great live music.
Musical director and arranger Dave Arch is the man in charge of the band.
David is a British pianist, conductor, arranger and composer who has enjoyed a prolific career covering a broad spectrum of the music business including albums, films, and commercials, live and television work.
He is also the Musical Director for productions of the Royal Variety Performance show on ITV as well as shows like Popstar To Operastar.
- Milica Cosic
‘Never say never’
GARY NEVILLE has left the door open to an outing on Strictly Come Dancing – vowing 'never say never!'.
The former Manchester United hero took part in a Q&A with fans on Monday, revealing his Strictly stance and a handful of other curious points of conversation.
Ex-rugby star Ugo Monye and Olympic swimming king Adam Peaty are competing in this year's series.
Neville, 46, did not dismiss the idea of following in their footsteps during the Q&A.
Responding to a tweet asking if he would ever do Strictly, he wrote: "Never say never!"
Fans following Neville were very keen on the idea, Twitter user Michelle laughing: "I've never watched that show, but I'd have to watch it just to see you dance."
- Milica Cosic
“The narrative they push is so dangerous”
Strictly’s anti-vax dancers told not having jab is ‘killing people’ after man loses parents and brother to Covid.
Francis Goncalves lost his brother, Shaul, 40, dad Basil, 70 and mum Charmagne, 65, within a week after they caught the virus at a family dinner.
Francis, 43, slammed the Strictly dancers’ decision.
He blasted: “It’s so damaging when you have people who can influence millions of people who are taking this stance.
“They’re making decisions without looking at the facts.
“It’s such a selfish attitude and it’s very irresponsible.
“These people think the world revolves around them.
“The narrative they push is so dangerous and it’s killing people.”
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