Strictly Come Dancing set for shake-up as show is axed next Sunday

Strictly Come Dancing has been given a shake-up in the schedule next weekend to make way for the Qatar World Cup.

The musicals special of the ballroom dance contest will now air on BBC One on Friday 2 December at 8pm, while the results episode will be shown on Saturday 3 December at 5.40pm, with the remaining couples going through to the semi-final the following week.

While the main show usually airs on a Saturday, it has been moved to make way for the World Cup’s televised fixtures on the channel.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Strictly Come Dancing will continue to bring glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to homes across the nation throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

‘The quarter final of Strictly Come Dancing will now air live on Friday 2nd December and the semi-final will now air live on Sunday 11th December on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.’

Former Hear’Say singer Kym Marsh will be returning to the competition next week after she was given this week off following a positive Covid test.

The actress, 46, was forced out of the contest along with her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima, 28.

A Strictly spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Kym Marsh has tested positive for Covid-19. As a result, Kym and Graziano will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. 

‘Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week.’

The announcement comes just two weeks after Kym admitted she nearly quit the show after suffering a crippling panic attack just hours before the live show. 

The television star was said to have burst into tears before she was consoled by twinkle-toed star Graziano, 28, ahead of a live show that aired last month.

Former Coronation Street actress Kym, who is said to have contemplated quitting the contest due to her overwhelming anxiety, told The Sun: ‘It just came over me, almost out of nowhere, and I couldn’t carry on.’

It is claimed Kym struggled to continue dancing, prompting producers to comfort her as she calmed down, and hours later she took to the floor again during the live show and completed her dance. 

Former Hear’Say singer Kym added: ‘I’ve always suffered from panic attacks. It’s something I don’t mind talking about because I know it can affect anyone at any time.

‘Sometimes it has been ages (since an attack) and then suddenly one just hits.

‘Everyone thinks that because you’re on the telly you must be amazingly confident, but the truth is that I’m not always and this is how that comes out.’

She added that she did not know what brought on the panic attack, surmising that it could have been that she’d had some harsh comments from the judges combined with the fact she’d also been working other jobs, leaving her emotional and exhausted.

Kym said she ‘lost her confidence completely’ and ‘went to pieces’, admitting she did not see how she could carry on with the show.

Despite having therapy in a bid to curb her anxiety, Kym said it can still ‘creep up’ on her.

Meanwhile, Kym and Graziano were awarded 31 points for their American Smooth to Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol during the eighth episode of the show, which she dedicated to her late son Archie. 

He passed away following a premature birth in February 2009.

The actress said in her VT: ‘It reminds us of my son Archie. I gave birth to him prematurely and unfortunately he died shortly after.

The emotional star continued: ‘I feel by doing this dance, it will be not only in memory of Archie but get people talking about their own experiences.’

Kym and her ex-husband Jamie Lomas were left heartbroken when their child passed away at just 21 weeks, following a premature birth in February 2009.

Judge Motsi Mabuse said: ‘The message you tried to put through, the fragility and vulnerability came through, it was so clear. It started so well, I don’t know what happened. There was a sudden change of energy and I don’t know why. There was a great ending and it started so wonderfully.’