Along with the absence of Simon Cowell (due to breaking his back), the judges will have their own desks, rather than one long one, and some international acts unable to travel will be beamed in. Meanwhile on BGT, whose run was interrupted by the pandemic, viewers will notice a number of changes when the semi-finals return on Saturday night. Gone will be the gang piling into Claudia’s area, the celebratory and commiseratory hugs with others,” but there “will be some incredible performances … and the judges will be as tough with their paddles as they’ve always been.” She said BBC Studios had “worked incredibly hard” to ensure the show is safe, and although it would be “a bit different, it won’t skimp on ambition and scale. When the pros and celebs are paired up, they won’t have contact with the other pairs,” explained Phillips. “The pro dancers have been isolating in a hotel together as they prepare their big dance numbers. To help mitigate increased costs and logistics, the number of episodes is expected to fall from 13 to nine, the set has been altered and plans are still being worked out as to how the house band can play. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!Īs well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.But Strictly is arguably the hardest entertainment show to make under the new rules, particularly as the celebrities – who include the Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo, Good Morning Britain’s Ranvir Singh and the boxer Nicola Adams, the latter as part of the show’s first same-sex pairing – are due to continue with their usual work when the show starts next month. She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown - AKA Dot Cotton - to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.Īfter learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off. Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family.

Britains got talent game show