Strictly set tragedies – stars dying in auditions, illness fury, near demolition

Strictly Come Dancing is one of the many beloved programmes filmed at the world famous Elstree Studios.

But did you know that the studio lot in London has faced its fair share of tragedy thoughout the decades?

Also home to TV programmes including The Crown, and the site of filming for Hollywood blockbusters including Star Wars, Elstree Studios has seen near-demolition, tragic deaths and the discovery of poisonous substances in recent years.

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Here, Daily Star takes a closer look at some of the tragedies to have taken place at the Strictly studios.

Asbestos discovery

Earlier in September, it was reported that the dangerous substance asbestos had been discovered in "large sections" of Elstree Studios.

Asbestos fibres have been known to cause cancer in people exposed to the substance, which was often used in building work in previous decades.

Its discovery was thought to have affected filming schedules for programmes such as The Crown, with some filming put on hold while safety checks were carried out.

However, it was reported that filming for Strictly Come Dancing would remain unaffected.

A spokesperson for Elstree Studios told The Sun: "As a precautionary measure, we are arranging asbestos checks in some areas of Elstree Film Studios to ensure they meet health and safety standards.

"Our operations will resume as soon as investigations and any remedial work required are complete."

Legal battle

Two years prior to the discovery of the asbestos, the family of a former Elstree Studios worker sought answers after he died from an asbestos related disease.

Boreham and Elstree Times reported that Edward Redmond worked at the studios between 1975 and 2003, with his first job being in the painter's workshop that was housed in an old building including gas burners connected to heated pipes.

It is thought the pipes and burners were insulated with lagging, which the family believe may have been asbestos.

In 2016, the former studio worker was diagnosed with asbestos related cancer, called mesothelioma, and died one year later aged 74 years old.

His family later sought information from his old colleagues at Elstreet Studios to help shed light on how and where he was exposed to asbestos, as part of a part of a legal battle designed to bring those responsible to account.

Mr Redmond’s daughter, Lisa, said: "Dad was traumatised by his condition. He had a fantastic working life doing a job he loved.

"Asbestos in Elstree Studios is well recorded due to its removal by the current owners.

"However, witnesses are required to prove Dad was exposed to it while working there. If anyone has information about working conditions at Elstree Studios from the 1970s onwards or the potential presence of asbestos, I urge them to come forward."

Actors died during auditions

Elstree Studios has welcomed a number of acting greats throughout the decades, but sadly, some have died while auditioning for one of its many productions.

IMDB states that Russell Westwood, star of films such as The Constant Husband, suffered a heart attack at the studios and died in 1957.

Two decades earlier, another actor called Lewin Mannering was also reported to have died at the studios on June 8, 1932.

Near demolition

In the mid-nineties, the famous studios were nearly demolished to make way for retail developments and housing.

Recalling that period in the Harrow Times, Paul Welsh revealed that he chaired an eight year campaign to save Elstree Studios following plans to sell by Cannon Films.

His campaign garnered support from Hollywood stars including Stephen Spielberg, who had made Star Wars and Indiana Jones at the studios in the seventies and eighties.

He and 700 others also held a rally to gather signatures for a petition to save the studios, which also attracted support from Sean Connery, Harrison Ford and the casts of Emmerdale and EastEnders.

The campaign was a success, with Paul saying "In 1996, Hertsmere Council stepped in and purchased the remaining 15 acres of the studio for less than £2 million, whereas a few years before Tesco had bought 12 acres of the site for £19 million."

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