MX23RW : Friday, November 8 04:38:31| >> :600:130030876:130030876:

BBC controller pleased with Strictly's "inventiveness"

Kate Phillips, the BBC's controller of entertainment, lauds the producers of Strictly Come Dancing for getting the show on the air in spite of the problems caused by coronavirus.

The BBC's entertainment controller Kate Phillips has praised the team at Strictly Come Dancing for their "inventiveness" in getting the show on air this year.

The coronavirus pandemic provided a significant headache for the jewel of the BBC's autumn schedules but despite a delay to production, the show will return for a new series at the end of October.

In order to make the ballroom contest as safe as possible, various measures have been implemented - including pre-recording the group dances, having a smaller studio audience and requiring the contestants to form household 'bubbles' with their professional partners.

"Never have we needed some Strictly sparkle more," Phillips told reporters this week.

"As I'm sure you all agree, Strictly is the toughest show to get going under the current climate, but I cannot tell you how impressed we've been with the work BBC Studios have been doing.

"Not just to make sure that it is safe for everyone taking part in the show but also the inventiveness that we've seen. As challenges have emerged, new ideas have emerged and it really is a case of necessity is the mother of all invention."

Celebrities taking part this year include boxer Nicola Adams, former home secretary Jacqui Smith and comedian Bill Bailey.

ID:415675: cacheID:415675:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2275:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole Black Friday Offer: Get Sky Entertainment, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £19 a month + £0 upfront fee for 24 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends December 3, 2024

Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jacqui Smith in June 2009
Read Next:
Jacqui Smith completes Strictly Come Dancing 2020 lineup
>
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Thursday, November 7


The Day of the Jackal: Sky On-demand/NOW, from 2am
First five episodes of a new drama thriller starring Eddie Redmayne as an elite assassin

Married at First Sight UK: E4, 9pm
The boys and girls go on separate nights out, joined by some faces from earlier in the experiment

EastEnders: iPlayer, from 6am and BBC One, 7.30pm
So what's happened to Bianca then?

RuPaul's Drag Race UK: BBC Three, 9pm
Beverley Knight is this week's guest judge as the remaining queens for the annual Rusical week