Any contestants who test positive for coronavirus during the upcoming new series of Strictly Come Dancing will be immediately disqualified from the competition.

A month later than normal, the ballroom contest returns to BBC One at the end of October with a lineup of 12 celebrities including Caroline Quentin, Nicola Adams, Jamie Laing and Bill Bailey.

Extensive changes have been made this year in order to make the production as safe as possible in the light of the coronavirus pandemic, including creating household bubbles between the celebs and their professional partners, alongside regular testing for the virus.

"Unfortunately if you receive a positive test, that means you wouldn't be able to continue in the competition," executive producer Sarah James told reporters.

"Obviously with government guidelines, if you receive a positive test you have to isolate for two weeks and that would unfortunately rule them out of the show."

The series is thought to have several other celebrities in reserve for the event that one or more of the contestants are forced to withdraw.