Strictly Come Dancing: Gorka Márquez plays down vaccine speculation

Gorka Márquez has been partnered with actress Katie McGlynn for this series of Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly star Gorka Márquez has said reports that some pro dancers on the show are refusing to be vaccinated against Covid are "just speculation".

Saturday's show is due to go ahead as planned following stories published by The Sun that three of the professional dancers are unvaccinated.

The BBC said it has never confirmed the vaccination status of anyone on the show, adding: "It's not our place to."

Márquez told This Morning everyone is free to make their own decision.

His celebrity dance partner, soap star Katie McGlynn, added that the decision about whether or not to get vaccinated "depends on each individual".

'None of our business'

Speaking to the ITV programme on Thursday, Márquez said: "What I know is the show is taking big responsibility to keep everyone safe.

"Lots of testing, lots of trying to keep everyone distanced and safe [while in] the studio. They did it last year, we were all safe so this year they are doing the same and it will work because we did it last year."

Asked about the vaccine reports, he replied: "Everyone is free to do whatever they want.

"You go in the streets right now and some people might be vaccinated and some people might not."

McGlynn said the decision on vaccines "depends on each individual", adding: "I personally don't know everybody's situation, because it's none of our business because we have to keep separate from everybody else.

"But everybody's getting on like a house on fire and seem to be gelling well and I just think it's all speculation."

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McGlynn noted how dancers on this year's show have "a bit more freedom" compared to last year, when vaccines were not readily available.

She said if she was at all worried about catching or spreading Covid she would keep away from her family for the duration of the show.

Speaking on ITV's Lorraine earlier on Thursday, celebrity chef and social media star Tilly Ramsay stressed the show's producers were "working so hard" on health and safety.

Ramsay, the daughter of famous chef Gordon, will dance the waltz with her partner Nikita Kuzmin on the long-running BBC One show on Saturday.

When asked if the programme was strict about Covid protocols, she replied: "It definitely is.

"Firstly, I think it's just amazing that they've been able to even put the show on," she said. "They're working so hard to keep everyone safe and I think we definitely do feel safe there."

The pair confirmed they were in a bubble and being tested regularly.

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In an updated statement released on Thursday, the BBC said it is "not the case" that anyone has threatened to quit Strictly Come Dancing over the Covid-19 vaccination row, or raised concerns with the BBC or the show's production team.

The corporation said: "A lot has been written about vaccinations and Strictly in recent days. The BBC has never commented nor confirmed the vaccination status of anyone on the show. It's not our place to.

"It is not the case that concerns have been raised with the BBC or the Strictly production team from dancers or celebrities about vaccination, or that they have threatened to quit.

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"We have in place strict procedures to protect those on the show and the wider production. Among the many measures in place on Strictly, the dancers are tested regularly to be in close contact with their partners.

"The cast, crew and everyone working on Strictly are focused on this weekend's first live show and delivering another brilliant series."

Interest in the Strictly vaccination speculation made it all the way to Washington DC on Wednesday, where the prime minister gave journalists his view on the matter.

"I think that that's a matter for the [Strictly] producers but I strongly believe that people should get vaccinated," he said.

"I don't want to bully people or to lecture them but, well I don't mind lecturing them, I'll lecture them: I think it is a great thing to do for yourself, your family, your community.

"I think people should get a jab and it is a wonderful thing to do."

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The NHS website states that vaccines are "the best way to protect yourself and others" against Covid, adding that they reduce the risk of people getting seriously ill or dying from the virus, while also lessening the chances of them catching or spreading it.

However, the guidance also states that vaccinated people can still catch and spread coronavirus.