Coronavirus strikes Dancing with the Stars: Christian Wilkins didn’t learn of his father Richard’s diagnosis until AFTER Sunday’s live episode – putting the entire cast at risk of exposure as he self-isolates and gets tested
Channel 10 is taking precautionary steps after Christian Wilkins took part in Sunday night’s live broadcast of Dancing with the Stars.
Christian’s father, Weekend Today host Richard Wilkins, tested positive for the deadly coronavirus overnight, and the 24-year-old socialite didn’t learn of the diagnosis until after he’d finished the episode.
A network spokesperson said: ‘Although Christian does not believe he has been exposed, he has self-isolated and will be tested first thing tomorrow [Monday] morning.’
Coronavirus strikes Dancing with the Stars: Christian Wilkins (pictured with Lily McManus) didn’t learn of his father Richard’s diagnosis until after Sunday’s live episode – putting the entire cast at risk of exposure
Channel 10 and producers Warner Bros. had already implemented a number of precautions to protect the cast and crew ahead of Sunday’s episode.
Their efforts to minimise exposure and reduce the spread of the virus included ‘good hygiene practices backstage and in-studio, and filming without a studio audience,’ said the spokesperson.
Christian addressed his father’s diagnosis on Sunday evening.
Safety measures: Channel 10 and producers Warner Bros. had already implemented a number of precautions to protect the cast and crew ahead of Sunday’s episode. Pictured: hosts Amanda Keller and Grant Denyer
‘I was not aware of my dad’s positive results to coronavirus until after the show,’ Christian said in an Instagram video alongside his dance partner, Lily McManus.
He continued: ‘Since finding out, both Lily and I will be self-isolating, and we’ll be tested first thing in the morning.’
Richard also opened up about his ‘bizarre’ coronavirus diagnosis on Twitter, after he’d come into contact with Tom Hanks’ wife, Rita Wilson, a week earlier.
Tom and Rita, both 63, announced they had tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday.
‘I was not aware’: Christian addressed his father’s diagnosis on Sunday evening. He and dance partner Lily (left) are self-isolating until their test results arrive
Richard tweeted: ‘Hey… sincere thanks for all the messages… I really appreciate it.
‘It’s actually a bizarre feeling to have tested positive to this thing we’ve all been talking about. I feel 100 per cent… no symptoms at all! Thanks again… love to all.’
Coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December and has since spread to more than 150,000 people worldwide, and killed at least 5,500 people.
It was recognised as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11.
‘Thanks for all the messages’: Richard (right) also opened up about his ‘bizarre’ coronavirus diagnosis on Twitter, after he’d come into contact with Tom Hanks’ wife, Rita Wilson (left), a week earlier. Tom and Rita, both 63, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday
‘It’s actually a bizarre feeling to have tested positive to this thing we’ve all been talking about,’ Richard tweeted on Sunday