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"Ali Bastian has backed the decision to reduce the number of celebrities on Strictly Come Dancing. The former Hollyoaks actress claimed that last year&amp;#039;s run, which lasted 14 weeks, was too physically tough for the contestants. The upcoming eighth series will feature only 14 celebrities, compared to 16 in 2009. &amp;quot;Everyone was on their knees by the end last time. It&amp;#039;s a lot of stress to take if your body isn&amp;#039;t used to it,&amp;quot; she told The Sun &amp;quot;Knocking a couple of weeks off will be good for everyone&amp;#039;s sanity.&amp;quot; Bastian is currently in rehearsals for West End dance show Burn The Floor with her Strictly dance partner and boyfriend Brian Fortuna. &amp;gt; Fortuna not angry about &amp;#039;Strictly&amp;#039; axe "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/strictly-come-dancing/news/a246437/bastian-backs-strictly-format-changes/>