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Strictly celebs ‘shouldn’t be made to partner up with unjabbed dancer’, says Dame Kate Bingham

 (PA)
(PA)

Strictly Come Dancing’s celebrities should not be forced to dance with anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated, Dame Kate Bingham said.

There have been reports three professional dancers have refused the vaccine but BBC has denied the latest reports stating the stars had threatened to quit the show over the Covid drama.

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

Now the former head of the government’s Covid-19 vaccine task force has waded into the Strictly vaccination row (Getty Images)
Now the former head of the government’s Covid-19 vaccine task force has waded into the Strictly vaccination row (Getty Images)

Now the former head of the government’s Covid-19 vaccine task force has waded into the Strictly vaccination row on Thursday.

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She told Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4: “For fit, healthy dancers, it’s harder [to mandate vaccines] but I think their dancing partners and the people around them should have a choice as to whether or not they would like to dance with somebody who’s not been vaccinated.”

Her comments follow on from Boris Johnson encouraging the Strictly “unvaccinated” dancers to get the jabs.

He told GB News: “Everyone should take their jabs and I’m saying that not in a hectoring or bullying way, but just because I think it’s a great thing to do.”

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

A Strictly spokesperson previously 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.”

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.

It emerged one of the celebrity partners reportedly said they were “furious”.

Strictly professional dancer 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.”

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