The BBC has reportedly decided not to go ahead with the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing this year due to coronavirus.

The festive episode has been a firm fixture on BBC One every year since 2004, with former contestants returning to compete for the Christmas crown.

The special is always pre-recorded several weeks in advance, but even with time on their side, the Daily Star says that the BBC has decided that it would be "too difficult" to film this year.

"Usually, filming the Christmas special only takes a few days," a show source told the newspaper. "But to do it under the current guidelines would mean quarantining celebs for two weeks beforehand. It's just not worth it for one episode.

"It wasn't an easy decision, but producers didn't feel like they had any choice.

"The celebrities who were due to take part are devastated. They were thrilled to have the chance to return to Strictly. But they've been told they won't miss out because they'll get to come back in 2021."

The main series of Strictly is in line to go ahead as usual in October but is expected to run to just nine weeks instead of the usual 13.