Over fears about the Omicron Covid variant, Strictly Come Dancing’s end-of–series Christmas party was cancelled.
Cast and crew of the show were set to enjoy a boozy bash at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, where the BBC ballroom dance concert is filmed, after the final a week on Saturday.
But bosses made the decision to cancel the party, with staff and celebrities feeling “gutted” following this year’s long and painful’ series.
Disappointment: The Strictly Come Dancing end-of-series Christmas party has been reportedly cancelled over fears of the Omicron Covid variant
A source told The Sun: ‘Everyone will be gutted as it’s been such a long and painful series in many ways. There’s been injuries, Covid scares and intense competition.
‘Everyone was looking forward to letting their hair down and celebrating what’s been a closely-fought race.
“It would also have been the first occasion that so many people have been together in the same space since launch. So there would have been plenty of things to chat about.
Christmas spirit: Cast and crew enjoyed a party at Elstree Studios, Borehamwood. This is where the BBC’s ballroom dancing concert will be filmed.
“But, with Omicron’s future uncertain, everybody decided to be cautious and put off the plans.
MailOnline has reached out to BBC for comments.
This morning experts warned Omicron is spreading faster in the UK than expected.
Eminent epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector claimed infections with the variant were doubling every two days and that there were up to 2,000 cases already — five times more than the official count.
King’s College London’s chief symptom-tracking scientist estimated that Britain would have Omicron cases in less than ten days, compared to other African countries.
Dr Jeffrey Barrett, head of Covid surveillance at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said Omicron was likely to become the UK dominant strain ‘within a matter of weeks’ rather than months like initially hoped.
This year’s series has faced a number of challenges, with judges Craig Revel Horwood, 56, isolating after testing positive for Covid and Motsi Mabuse, 40, being forced to shut herself away after coming into close contact with someone with the virus.
The year was difficult: But bosses decided to scrap the party. Stars and staff were said to have been ‘gutted’ by this year’s “long and painful” series.
Several stars were unable to get the vaccine and had to be isolated for a while.
This news follows Strictly’s announcement that the stars will be taking part in its 2022 Live Tour.
John Whaite, Johannes Radebe and Rose Ayling Ellis will all be appearing alongside Giovanni Pernice in the series 2021.
Other dance couples on the bill from this year’s show include Sara Davies and Aljaz Skorjanec, Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington, and Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu.
Exciting: Strictly Come Dancing has announced the celebs taking to the dancefloor on its 2022 live tour with fan favourites Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice on the line up
Elsewhere, The Wanted’s Max George, who was a contestant in 2020, will join the tour with Katya Jones.
Strictly’s professional dancers Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal will also be performing with the couples in over 33 sequin-spangled shows.
Janette Manrara, the star of It Takes Two in 2012, will host the tour.
Craig Revel Horwood choreographs and directs the tour. This promises an evening full of excitement and glamour.
Cast: Also taking to the stage are John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, Sara Davies and Aljaz Skorjanec, Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington, and Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu
Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli and Bruno Tonioli will be performing on the line-up. The tour runs from January 20 to February 12, with a glamorous finale at London’s O2 Arena.
Bruno makes his long-awaited return to Strictly following a series of missed episodes due to uncertainty about travel to the USA.
Bruno was replaced by Anton Du Beke on this year’s series while he remained stateside to continue with Dancing With The Stars.
Judges: The tour will be choregraphed and directed by Craig Revel Horwood and mark the return of Bruno Tonioli who was absent from the tour due to travel restrictions this year
Of his return to the show, Bruno told MailOnline: ‘I am absolutely delighted to be back on the judging panel for the Strictly Arena Tour for the first time in two years.
‘I’ve missed my fellow judges, I’ve missed the glitz and glamour of the tour and I’ve missed the amazing audiences that come to see us all over the country – I hope you have missed me too?
“I’m so excited to return with Shirley, Craig and all the stars. The fans are really in for a treat – next year’s arena tour is going to be simply fantastic.’
Woo! Woo!
Meanwhile, Craig added: ‘I’m delighted to be back directing and judging the 2022 tour.
Next year’s event will be more spectacular and exciting than ever. The tour will be even more amazing with Bruno joining us as part of the judging panel.
Shirley raved about the experience, saying: “I really look forward to being reunited with Bruno and Craig during the Strictly live Tour.”
The audiences at the arena shows are amazing – I can’t wait for January when we get the show on the road.’
For ticket information, visit strictlycomedancinglive.com
STRICTLY COME DANNING LIVE TOUR 2020: WHO ARE THE COUPLES?
RHYS STEPHENSON & NANCY XU
Celebrity’s Age: 27
Profession: CBBC presenter
What did they do?: To compete in the semi-final
TILLY RAMSAY & NIKITA KUZMIN
Celebrity’s Age: 19
Profession: Presenter at CBBC
What did they do?In week ten, they were defeated
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS & GIOVANNI PERNICE
Celebrity’s Age: 30
Profession: Actress
What did they do?: To compete in the semi-final
AJ ODUDU & KAI WIDDRINGTON
Celebrity’s Age: 33
Profession: Television presenter
What did they do?: To compete in the semi-final
JOHN WHAITE & JOHANNES RADEBE
Celebrity’s Age: 33
ProfessionGreat British Bake Off Winner, TV Chef
What did they do?: To compete in the semi-final
SARA DAVIES & ALJAZ SKORJANEC
Celebrity’s Age: 37
Profession: Businesswoman
What did they do?: Week 8: Eliminated
MAX GEORGE & KATYA JONES
Celebrity’s Age: 33
Profession: Pop star
What did they do?: After h, eliminated in Week Four of 2020Dianne Buswell, pictured (pictured), was also a competitor of e