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STRICTLY bosses fear some of their most popular dancers will be locked out of Britain amid the continuing coronavirus crisis.
They are drawing up a list of British professionals to replace them if they cannot come back in time.
Those out of the country include South African Johannes Radebe, 32, Sicilian Graziano Di Prima, 25, and Nadiya Bychkova, 30, who lives in Slovenia.
A TV insider said: “Strictly has been faced with so many issues because of the pandemic but this is one of the more pressing.
“Having so many popular stars worried about getting back into the country and others panicking about whether their visas will be held up is causing headaches.
“Dancers like Nancy Xu, who comes from China, are having to wait to find out whether delays caused by the virus will cause issues with their visas.
“And Johannes, Graziano and Nadiya are on standby to find out whether flights will be resuming.
“For the moment, a list of British professionals is being drawn up and they can be brought in to help with the early training stages.
“Strictly had two slots to fill after AJ Pritchard and Kevin Clifton quit and it’s possible they’re going to have to stick with dancers closer to home.
“However the team’s main concern is ensuring the wellbeing of dancers and they’re doing everything they can to get the stars back.”
BBC bosses have vowed to continue with the show and have looked at a raft of extreme measures to keep it on air.
They include putting stars and dancers into lockdown weeks before the start — and filming with no audience.
A BBC source added: “Rehearsals for the professionals start in July so everyone is hoping the situation changes before then.”
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