Curtis Pritchard thinks 'Strictly Come Dancing' pro dancers who don't have the coronavirus vaccine should be replaced for this series only.
Curtis Pritchard
The former 'Love Island' star - who was previously a pro dancer on Ireland's 'Dancing with the Stars' - suggested BBC bosses could "remove" any pros who don't get the jab for the current series and replace them with reserves to enable the programme to "move forward".
He said: "I hope the show can go on, I really, really do.
"Because it's a fantastic show ... I just hope they don't pull the show, and there's always reserve professionals on there isn't there?
"So if they're thinking of pulling the show, I don't think that should happen, maybe remove the pros who aren't getting the jab.
"But not get rid of them, not fire them, not at all I don't think, because there's always reserve pros on the show, so bring in the ones who have had the jab for this year and put the other ones on the reserve list.
"They're still part of the programme and the show can go on and move forward."
Curtis' brother, former 'Strictly' pro AJ Pritchard, believes those in the entertainment industry should get the vaccine to help it get "back up and running to full capacity" amid the pandemic.
When asked if he is surprised that some of the dancers may not have been jabbed, he said: "All I can say is our actions speak louder than words.
"We've gone and helped at vaccination centres and we're both double jabbed.
"We feel like for the entertainment industry, to get that back up and running to full capacity the jab is helping.
"So that says it for us, and that's where we stand."
Speaking in a joint interview on 'Good Morning Britain', Curtis added: "We believe it helps, and it's safety first."
The pair's comments come after it was claimed three of this year's 'Strictly' pros may not have taken the coronavirus vaccine.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged 'Strictly' professional dancers who might not have been jabbed to take their vaccinations.
He said: "Everyone should take their jabs.
"Everyone should take their jabs and I say that not in a hectoring and bullying way, but just because I think it’s a great thing to do."
Former 'Strictly' pro James Jordan believes if any pros are refusing to be jabbed they should be axed from the show.
He said: "I say let’s not have these professional dancers on the show."
But the BBC has insisted the programme is following "strict government guidelines" to ensure everyone's safety on the series.
They said: "We do not comment on speculation of somebody’s COVID vaccination status.
"'Strictly' production has, and will continue to, follow strict government guidelines to ensure the safety of all on the show."
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