Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice has confirmed that the professional dancers may be quarantined together in order to pre-record this year's group dances.

The BBC is planning for the show to return as usual in September, although the production will have to undergo significant alterations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A report earlier this week suggested that all of the group dances could be filmed before the series starts if producers decide to put the pros together in isolation in a hotel for a fortnight.

Confirming the reports, Pernice told FUBAR Radio: "I know that there's a chance that the pros could be quarantined all together for two weeks doing the group numbers. Because obviously, we have to film all the group numbers.

'Usually we do them live or we pre-record during the week, but this time I think we're going to pre-record all of it, which is going to be like 14 group numbers. It makes sense for us to get all together and do it all at once.

"What we know is that they're really trying hard - the BBC is trying really hard to make it work. That's what we know. And we want this to happen.

"I think everybody waits for Strictly every year. It's a moment where Christmas is coming up so everybody wants Strictly. What we know is that they're really trying really hard."

Other measures said to be under consideration by producers including axing or limiting live studio audiences, introducing outdoor performances and mandating "socially-distanced" dance routines.

> Every name in the frame for this year's Strictly Come Dancing