Strictly Come Dancing's Tom Fletcher, Amy Dowden test positive for COVID-19

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 38m

McFly's Tom Fletcher and his Strictly Come Dancing partner Amy Dowden both test positive for coronavirus.

Tom Fletcher and his Strictly Come Dancing pro partner Amy Dowden have both returned positive tests for coronavirus, the BBC has confirmed.

The news comes less than a day after the pair took to the ballroom floor for the first live show of the series with a middling score from the judges.

Both Fletcher and Dowden have now entered self-isolation and have been given a bye from next week's first elimination - although the more worrying issue will now be whether any of the other cast and crew they came into contact with last night will also test positive in the coming days.

In a statement, the BBC said: "Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden have tested positive for Covid-19. The pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines.

"While they will both miss Saturday's live show, Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week."

Earlier in the day Fletcher pulled out of his band McFly's gig in Glasgow tonight due to him "feeling unwell", hours before his positive test was confirmed.

In a message on Instagram, Dowden wrote: "Unfortunately Tom and I have tested positive for COVID-19. I'm not suffering any symptoms but am now isolating at home.

"I have no doubt that over the next 10 days my mind will be going crazy with choreography ideas ready to get back on the Strictly dance floor for the live show in week 3!

"Thank you for all of the support and good luck to all of the couples this week. I will be cheering you all on!"

Last year Nicola Adams and Katya Jones were forced to withdraw from the competition due to coronavirus but this year producers have adopted a more flexible approach.