Dancing with the Stars ‘will finish a week early’ because of COVID-19 pandemic


Coronavirus ENDS Dancing with the Stars: Channel 10 show ‘will finish a week early’ because of the pandemic – after fans were outraged by the lack of social distancing

Viewers blasted Dancing with the Stars on Sunday after the contestants ignored social distancing restrictions designed to limit the spread of coronavirus.

And rumours are swirling that Channel 10 plans to wrap up the competition a week earlier than scheduled as a safety measure for the cast and crew.

The live semi-finals are slated to air this Sunday, but reliable sources tell Daily Mail Australia the finals may also take place on the same night. 

Sashaying away? Rumours are swirling that Channel 10 plans to wrap up Dancing with the Stars a week earlier than scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured: hosts Grant Denyer and Amanda Keller

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment. 

It comes after Twitter users accused the contestants of having a blasé attitude in the face of a global health crisis during Sunday night’s episode.  

‘@DancingOn10, I didn’t realise that being a celebrity was an antidote for the coronavirus,’ one person tweeted, referencing the close proximity of the dancers.

Careless: Viewers blasted Dancing with the Stars on Sunday after the contestants ignored social distancing restrictions designed to limit the spread of coronavirus

Careless: Viewers blasted Dancing with the Stars on Sunday after the contestants ignored social distancing restrictions designed to limit the spread of coronavirus

‘Where is all the social distancing between the judges, the non-dancing contestants and hosts? You should be leading by example, if we are going to reduce the workload of our ICUs.’

While DWTS is no longer being filmed in front of a live audience, the show’s format forces its celebrity competitors to physically interact with their dance partners. 

Meanwhile, viewers also noticed the show’s judges were seated closer together than the recommended six-foot distance.

 

'I didn't realise that being a celebrity was an antidote for the coronavirus': Fans expressed outrage on Twitter, with several claiming the show was setting a bad example

‘I didn’t realise that being a celebrity was an antidote for the coronavirus’: Fans expressed outrage on Twitter, with several claiming the show was setting a bad example

At one stage, hosts Amanda Keller and Grant Denyer joked about social distancing by pulling out a tape measure to inspect the distance between them.

Ironically, Sunday’s episode was interrupted by an emergency press conference from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

‘On the weekend, what we saw was a disregard of those social distancing practices,’ Mr Morrison said, referring to the hordes of people seen at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. 

Too close for comfort: Ironically, Sunday's episode was interrupted by an emergency press conference from Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Too close for comfort: Ironically, Sunday’s episode was interrupted by an emergency press conference from Prime Minister Scott Morrison

‘This sent a very clear message to premiers, chief ministers and myself that the social distancing practices are not being observed as well as they should be.’

However, other fans thought Dancing with the Stars was exactly what people needed in a time of fear and uncertainty.

‘Please let us have our sanity back; we would like to not think about coronavirus for TWO SECONDS. Just two seconds,’ tweeted one viewer.

Another added: ‘They better not DARE take #DWTSau from me next week. It’s slim pickins’ for joy round these parts.’ 

'Don't take it away from me': However, other fans thought Dancing with the Stars was exactly what people needed in a time of fear and uncertainty

‘Don’t take it away from me’: However, other fans thought Dancing with the Stars was exactly what people needed in a time of fear and uncertainty

The show’s producers have taken steps to protect the cast and crew after contestant Christian Wilkins’ coronavirus scare last week.

The 24-year-old socialite was tested for COVID-19 after his father, Weekend Today host Richard Wilkins, tested positive on March 15.

Christian’s test later proved to be negative, but he was forced to self-isolate in a hotel with dance partner Lily Cornish for several days.

All staff members and participants have been told to self-monitor for symptoms.

Health scare: The show's producers have taken precautionary steps after contestant Christian Wilkins' coronavirus scare last week. Pictured with dance partner Lily Cornish on Sunday

Health scare: The show’s producers have taken precautionary steps after contestant Christian Wilkins’ coronavirus scare last week. Pictured with dance partner Lily Cornish on Sunday