'Strictly Come Dancing' bosses are planning to re-introduce a live audience on next week's show.
Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez
The BBC Latin and ballroom programme doesn't have any spectators in the studio due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, but with lockdown easing tomorrow (02.12.20) producers are hoping some will be able to watch the dancing action unfold in front of their eyes next week.
A source said: "The BBC are delighted they’re able to slowly introduce an audience back up at Elstree.
"Having just a smattering of applause really does affect the whole production and they’ve been desperate to get punters and the celebrities’ friends and family back through the door."
Audience members are expected to wear a mask and sit in bubbles from a single household at Elstree Studios, Hertfordshire.
The source added to The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column: "All guests will be sat in bubbles of up to four from a single household and all must wear masks throughout the show and remain socially distanced from all other members of the crowd.
"But it’s part way back to normality."
Show bosses were said to be keen for audience members to return in time for this weekend's show, but they didn't manage to work out the logistics in time.
Maisie Smith's mum Julia recently admitted the 'EastEnders' star - who is partnered with pro dancer Gorka Marquez - had been missing seeing her parents in the audience.
She said: "In the early days me and my husband were allowed to sit in the audience … and she would look over and we would give her a big thumbs-up and she said she misses that."
Tagged in Maisie Smith