Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones has admitted she needs more breaks during dance rehearsals as wearing a mask makes breathing tricky.
The professional dancer opened up about the possible changes to the BBC show as it prepares to go ahead with social distancing guidelines in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Jones said of wearing face masks in rehearsals: “As a teacher it’s fine. In my dance school we get visors instead of masks so we can talk.
“I think you have to have proper breaks as breathing is slightly more difficult. I think the whole thing is possible. People will find ways.”
Read more: ‘Strictly’s’ Katya Jones looking forward to being reunited with ex Neil
The 31-year-old professional dancer admitted Strictly – which has already announced a shorter series for 2020 – may not be quite what viewers are used to when it returns to TV, but promised it will still “sparkle”.
She told the Mirror Online: “I just can’t wait. I think in these times especially people need to Strictly sparkle back on their screens.
“I think people will accept it. Adjustments will have to be made of course and we will have to stick to the guidelines.
“The team is working very hard to make it as original as possible. People will be just happy to have it on their screens no matter what way.”
Strictly Come Dancing – which usually last for 13 weeks – will return to screens in October this year.
The shorter series is due to a time period of 14 days needed to quarantine the professional dancers after they have lived together in a hotel while filming group dances.
The celebrity contestants – who may be reduced from 15 to 13 – will also be kept in a ‘bubble’ to allow them to dance in close contact with their professional partners during the competition. And there is unlikely to be the usual live studio audience.
Read more: Strictly’s Katya Jones has been volunteering for NHS in lockdown
A spokesperson shared in a statement: “The Strictly Come Dancing team are doing everything they can to bring the nation plenty of Strictly magic later this year.
“To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of the ongoing considerations around COVID-19, this year’s series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual.
“The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us and further updates will be made in due course.”
Jones won the show in 2017 with actor Joe McFadden.
In 2018 she was paired with comedian Seann Walsh and they were pictured sharing a kiss, thought they were both in relationships at the time. This led to Katya splitting from professional dancer husband Neil Jones in August last year, after 11 years together.
