STRICTLY Come Dancing has been left "in chaos" over a huge schedule shake up – which has left bosses fearing a "viewer backlash".
The much loved BBC One dancing competition is set to clash with the World Cup this winter – with broadcasters going head-to-head over what matches they will decide to air.
Strictly is due to return to our screens later this year – after the full line up of celebrities was revealed finally earlier this month.
The cast normally get time to rehearse for a number of weeks before the filming for the show, and the weekend live shows, kick off.
However, despite plans to end the series in December, the BBC is only offering tickets to the live show up until Saturday, November 26.
It's thought the decision was made as they are unsure as to how long the series will run – partly thanks to it being their 20th anniversary.
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However, the show could be thrown into chaos due to the World Cup, which is due to be held in Qatar this winter.
While the BBC and ITV have decided which games they will air until the end of November, the start of December is undecided.
There are currently two knock-out games scheduled on Saturday, December 3 at 7pm, and Saturday, December 10 at 7pm – which could both clash with future Strictly episodes.
According to the Daily Star, Strictly producers are worried there could be clashes – meaning the show would have to find a new slot.
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A source explained: "It is a major headache and die hard fans will be fuming if Strictly gets taken off air because of football.
“Viewers have already had a summer of sport messing around with their favourite TV shows.”
BBC bosses declined to comment when approached by The Sun.
It comes after fans feared head judge Shirley Ballas could miss out on the first show after she fell sick with coronavirus.
The ballroom dancer took to her social media to reveal she was isolating after catching Covid-19, just days before filming for the first show is due to start on September 7.
Shirley, 61, took to Instagram to reveal she was self-isolating at home after testing positive for the virus in the run-up to filming.
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Appearing on camera in a mask, with her hair tied back and make-up free, she explained she was on her third day of staying home.
"So, day three of my Covid, and cleaning the silver and staying busy because I can't sit still," she told her fans.
She continued, as she filmed in her pyjamas: "Thank you all for your well-wishes, feeling a little bit better today."
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