Oti Mabuse shares update on whether 'Strictly' will go ahead

Oti Mabuse during the filming for the Graham Norton Show at BBC Studioworks 6 Television Centre, Wood Lane, London, to be aired on BBC One on Friday evening. (Photo by Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)
Oti Mabuse during the filming for the Graham Norton Show (Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)

Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse has assured viewers that bosses are doing “everything they can” to make sure the show goes ahead.

The future of the BBC programme’s 2020 series has been hanging in the balance amid the lockdown, which has had a huge impact on the TV industry.

Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas have both indicated that there are plans in place for it to air, and dancer Mabuse has now shared an update.

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Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, she said: “I spoke to the producers and they are trying to do everything they can to make sure the show goes ahead.”

Oti Mabuse and Kelvin Fletcher attending the the 2019 Pride of Britain Awards, held at Grosvenor House in London. The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, will broadcast on ITV on 5th November at 8pm. Picture credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS
Oti Mabuse and Kelvin Fletcher at the 2019 Pride of Britain Awards (Doug Peters/EMPICS)

Mabuse, who won the 2019 series of the BBC show with celebrity partner Kelvin Fletcher, went on: “Obviously, we’ve all got to wait and see what happens, but we are filming three highlight specials and trying to bring back the Strictly fever that everyone’s missing and loves.”

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Revel Horwood recently confirmed that plans were in place for Strictly to take place this year, telling ITV’s Lorraine: "There's a contingency plan in place with the producers to bring it to the nation and of course it is such a wonderful show, such a happy show, everyone knows it's the lead up to Christmas.”

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And The Sun quoted Ballas as saying that “where there is a will, there is a way”.

Craig Revel Horwood (left), Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli (right) arriving at the red carpet launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2019, held at BBC TV Centre in London, UK.
Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli at the red carpet launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2019.

“I spoke to some people and they will do anything and everything to make sure that show goes on,” she said.

The dancing competition usually launches in late summer with the celebrity line-up revealed.

The live shows then start in October and run until December.

The Graham Norton Show is on BBC One on Friday May 8th at 10.40pm.