Strictly Come Dancing star Tom Fletcher and professional partner test positive for COVID-19

Strictly Come Dancing has barely started and already one of this year's stars, Tom Fletcher and his professional partner Amy Dowden have been forced to isolate following a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 bosses have revealed that the singer, songwriter, author, and McFly star will have to sit out the live show next week. They added, however, that he and his professional partner Amy should be back the following week, "all being well."

The couple danced the cha-cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s September in his Strictly debut. Their performance, which was the first of the week, gained them 21 out of 40 points, from the Strictly Come Dancing judges.

A statement from the BBC read, “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.”

Amy posted on Instagram to say she's doing well. She also added, "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!"

Tom was also forced to miss the McFly gig in Glasgow on Sunday, September 26, 2021, leaving his bandmates to perform without him.

In a tweet sharing the news he said he was, "so, so sorry" to miss the show at the SSE Hydro Arena.

The news comes as the controversy regarding unvaccinated professional dancers rages on. Those who've spoken out include Strictly Come Dancing's James Jordan, who slammed 'selfish' anti-vax pro dancers ahead of the show's premiere.

The BBC was forced to address the ongoing debacle in a statement. It began, “A lot has been written about vaccinations and Strictly in recent days. The BBC has never commented nor confirmed the vaccination status of anyone on the show. It’s not our place to."

They continued, “It is not the case that concerns have been raised with the BBC or the Strictly production team from dancers or celebrities about vaccination, or that they have threatened to quit."

“We have in place strict procedures to protect those on the show and the wider production. Among the many measures in place on Strictly, the dancers are tested regularly to be in close contact with their partners."

The statement concluded, "The cast, crew and everyone working on Strictly are focused on this weekend’s first live show and delivering another brilliant series.”