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Strictly Come Dancing's John Whaite returns to live tour after COVID test proved false positive

John Whaite has had a negative lateral flow test while on the Strictly live tour. (BBC)
John Whaite has had a negative lateral flow test while on the Strictly live tour. (BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing finalist John Whaite is re-joining the live tour after his coronavirus test result proved to be a false positive.

The Great British Bake Off winner was forced to miss two shows of the live dance tour in Glasgow on Sunday (6 February) after receiving a positive lateral flow test.

But Whaite announced on social media on Monday: "PCR came back negative so I'll be back on stage in Glasgow tonight."

Read more: AJ Odudu 'gutted' as she pulls out of 'Strictly' tour due to injury

The 32-year-old baker missed two performances with his dance partner Johannes Radebe at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Sunday after his positive lateral flow result meant he was forced to isolate in his hotel room.

Whaite shared a video on Instagram Stories from his bed, revealing: “Hi everyone, little bit of bad news I’m afraid.

“A lateral flow this morning has come back positive so I now have to sit here in this glamorous captivity until a result of a PCR come back – and I’m hoping they come back negative because I feel fine.

John Whaite shared an update form his hotel bed. (Instagram)
John Whaite shared an update form his hotel bed. (Instagram)

“I’m triple jabbed, I had coronavirus in summer, so I’m hoping it’s just a false positive."

He added: “That does mean of course that I won’t be able to perform today or tonight in Glasgow.

“I am very, very, very, very, very sorry if anyone was hoping to see me shake my thing on the dance floor because I just won’t be there shaking it.

Programme Name: Strictly Come Dancing 2021 - TX: 18/12/2021 - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: ++LIVE SHOW++ Johannes Radebe, John Whaite - (C) BBC - Photographer: Guy Levy
John Whaite and his dance partner Johannes Radebe made the final of Strictly 2021. (BBC)

“I’ll be in my hotel room – probably still shaking it – but that isn’t something I wish the world could see because it isn’t pretty, darling.

“When you’re not in sparkles and sequins, it ain’t pretty.

“Anyway, I’m sorry I can’t be there. I hope you enjoy the show nonetheless, and good luck to all my friend who are in the show today.

“I’m sorry I’m letting you all down.”

John Whiate could not join Johannes on the dancefloor for the Glasgow live shows on Sunday. (BBC)
John Whiate could not join Johannes on the dancefloor for the Glasgow live shows on Sunday. (BBC)

Finalist AJ Odudu was forced to pull out of the entire Strictly tour because of her ongoing ankle injury.

The TV presenter had to withdraw from the final of the BBC ballroom contest after suffering ligament damage. And her hopes of touring with her pro partner Kai Widdrington and other contestants were also dashed.

Read more: Strictly's John and Johannes confess they fell out during training

The line-up for the Strictly 2022 live tour includes winner EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, semi-finalist Rhys Stephenson, CBBC presenter Tilly Ramsay and Dragon's Den star Sara Davies.

Former contestant Maisie Smith is filling in for Odudu and The Wanted singer Max George, who competed in Strictly in 2020, is also on the tour,

BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker is not taking part, despite making it to the quarter final.

Watch: John Whaite and Johannes admit they fell out during Strictly rehearsals