Strictly Come Dancing set to welcome back audience as lockdown is relaxed

Strictly Come Dancing is set to welcome back its audience for future live shows.

While the series has been able to air through the latest lockdown, it could only do so behind closed doors.

It meant that the already limited audience – seated with masks at socially distanced tables – were not present for recent shows.

It’s now been reported that fans will be allowed back, starting with next weekend’s (12 December) live show.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Having just a smattering of applause really does affect the whole production and they’ve been desperate to get punters and the celebrities’ friends and family back through the door.”

The source said it was “too tight” to get an audience in time for this Saturday’s show.

“All guests will be sat in ­bubbles of up to four from a single household and all must wear masks throughout the show and remain socially distanced from all other members of the crowd,” they added.

Tickets to be in the audience for Strictly Come Dancing are given out for free in a random draw.

You can apply online from the BBC website here. Audience members must be at least 14 with under 18s accompanied by an adult.

There will be a number of changes for the 2020 audience due to the pandemic.

The BBC explain: “To make the most of the limited space we’ll have in the studio this year because of our social distancing measures, for the first time ever tickets will be allocated to groups of four, allowing you to come along as a family bubble / household group.

“We’ll be able to seat family groups of four people from the same household / social bubble at cabaret tables and in balcony seating.

“Cabaret tables and balcony seats will be allocated randomly, in advance of your arrival at the studio.”

If you can’t get tickets, Strictly continues live on Saturday and Sunday night on BBC One.