No-jab dancers ‘out on a limb’

As judge Craig says their action drives him ‘nuts’, BBC refuses to pay legal bills to protect identities

BBC bosses are refusing to use licencefee payers’ money to keep the identity of the Strictly Covid jab refuseniks secret.

The professionals have prompted fury among their co-stars by not having the vaccine and two have now instructed top solicitors to stop their names being made public, citing privacy laws.

BBC chiefs last night confirmed that neither the BBC nor BBC Studios, the commercial arm that makes the hit programme, will fund the legal bills. This leaves the pair to settle their own costs, which could run into thousands of pounds. A source told The Mail on

Sunday: ‘It appears that these dancers are out on a limb after all. As employees of the BBC, you might expect some help when it comes to matters like this but this isn’t the case.’

The jab row has threatened to overshadow the start of the 19th series, which began in earnest last night as the 15 celebrities and their professional partners took to the dancefloor for the first time.

Three out of the 18 professional dancers remain unvaccinated and in the run-up to the opening of the competition there was also a confirmed Covid case among the participants.

Now it has emerged that two of the dancers have instructed the Central London law firm Payne Hicks Beach to represent them, with fees costing in excess of £500 per hour.

The BBC insists it stands by the cast, saying that vaccination status is a personal choice and it is not its place to demand it be mandatory. However, some sources suggest there is ‘light pressure’ being applied by bosses to have a Covid jab.

There is also confusion as staff and stars have been told that they must abide by the two-metre rule, even though it is no longer a Government

‘Two of the dancers have instructed top solicitors’

requirement. It is understood a pact has been made by celebrities and professionals not to comment publicly on the issue.

On Friday, Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies and her partner Aljaz Skorjanec refused to divulge their own vaccination status.

When asked, Aljaz batted away the question while Ms Davies said: ‘From our point of view, we just don’t really want to talk about it.’

However, the judges appear happy to discuss the issue with Craig Revel Horwood, saying it drives him ‘nuts’ that people refuse a potentially lifesaving vaccination.

Claiming not to be aware of the furore surrounding the show, he told The Times: ‘If I came into a situation, certainly when I am doing panto, for instance, I am hoping everyone has had a vaccination that I’m performing with on stage because that will make me feel safer.’

Last night defending Strictly champion Oti Mabuse took to the floor with sports pundit Ugo Monye, who had attended his father’s funeral earlier in the day. Their performance of a samba to Iko Iko (My Bestie) by Justin Wellington featuring Small Jam was dedicated to him, receiving 18 out of a possible 40.

Bake-Off star John Whaite and Johannes Radebe received a standing ovation from the studio audience for their tango to Blue Monday by New Order.

As the first all-male pairing on the show, they switched leads mid-routine and received 30 with head judge

Shirley Ballas describing it as ‘exquisite.’ Olympian Adam Peaty and his partner Katya Jones also scored 30 for their Cha, Cha Cha to Beggin’ by Maneskin.

EastEnders actress Rose AylingEllis also made history as the first deaf contestant to participate, scoring 22 with partner Giovanni Pernice for their jive to Shake It Off by Taylor Swift. TV presenter AJ Odudu

and her partner Kai Widdrington scored 34 for their jive to Gold Dust by DJ Fresh, with judge Motsi Mabuse calling it the ‘best dance of the evening.’ Greg Wise and partner Karen Hauer also made a strong start, scoring 24 for their American Smooth to That’s Life by Frank Sinatra. The actor was cheered on by his wife, Dame Emma Thompson.