The BBC must follow Sajid Javid’s steps and tell Strictly stars, ‘No jab… no jive’

SAJID Javid has told care home staff to “get out and get another job” should they refuse to get a double jab.

If only the Health Secretary could impose such a diktat on the BBC and FA.

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The so-called liberal Beeb is refusing to reveal which Strictly Come Dancing pros haven’t had their vaccines, citing medical ­privacy.

That’s the same BBC that is also reportedly banning journalists from so much as raising the subject in press conferences, like some sort of Stasi broadcaster.

Even the late East German leader Erich Honecker would have blushed at the hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, five England internationals, all hoping to represent their country at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, are refusing the jab on the basis that they’re all uber-fit and healthy.

Try telling that to Jorja Halliday’s family.

The beautiful 15-year-old kick-boxer, who’d exercised all her young life, died from Covid on the day she was due to get her jab.

The BBC’s main argument appears to be that it cannot force anyone to get vaccinated.

Which is completely fine, and the marker of a free society, etc etc (for all the rabid anti-vaxxers reading this, rapidly foaming at the mouth like the dog from Turner & Hooch).

As a side note, a very good friend of mine says he caught Covid from one of the unvaccinated Strictly dancers.

The chap in question — who, stupidly, hadn’t been jabbed — was hospitalised and nearly died.

So, to all the celebs, pro dancers and £150,000-a-week footballers who don’t want to be Pfizered, don’t be.

But don’t go on telly, or fly first class to Qatar, and set a toxic example to those who lionize you.

You can’t have it both ways.

You can’t be paid handsomely, have one of the planet’s most coveted jobs and be a role model to millions — and then act irresponsibly, selfishly and dangerously.

Sure, these performers aren’t politicians, engaged in point- scoring debates about vaccines.

But they are public figures whose behaviour unquestionably influences others.

The Queen, 95, went public with her jab. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posted photos of theirs.

Even Prince Harry, never one to knowingly preach much sense, defiantly and bravely hit out at anti-vaxxers.

Everyone has a right to medical privacy.

But our “world- beating” vaccination roll- out, a massively PR’d government recruitment drive, is one of the most public call to arms of all time.

Eighty years ago our grandparents/ parents were being slaughtered by Nazis.

They signed up to an arguably Pyrrhic war for the greater good, for a cause bigger than themselves.

Now, conspiracy theory loons are refusing to take 40 minutes out of their day to stick a needle in their arm. All these giant pricks so terrified by little pricks.

ITV has started announcing names for Dancing On Ice — another big-hitting show which sees celebs paired, in close proximity, with pro skaters.

I’m told it’s about to announce a known “pro-choice”, anti- vaxxing celebrity.

The entertainment industry, already under threat from streaming services like Netflix, will never fully recover from the pandemic unless it makes like Sajid, and toughens up.

In the case of Strictly: no jab, no jive.

A slice of Joan

JOAN Collins probably isn’t on Faye Dunaway’s Christmas card list.

She would, however, make an excellent theatre critic.

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Writing in her diaries, no-nonsense Joan details going to see the first night of Master Class, starring the Hollywood screen legend.

Her verdict?

“Faye is good, even though her ass looks like it’s been sliced off in a bacon-slicer.” To add salt to the rind, she adds: “Caught myself nodding off a couple of times.”

Brutal.

Killing it Jodie

A BIG thank you to Jodie Comer.

The talented Liverpudlian, whose Killing Eve anti-hero Villanelle is an on-screen fashion icon, is a sartorial legend off-screen too.

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Time and time again the 28-year-old shuns dresses, opting for baggy trousers on the red carpet.

As a cub showbiz reporter – albeit on the other, decidedly less glamorous side of the carpet – I’d spend weeks agonising over which ill-fitting frocks to wear for premieres.

A-list parties weren’t natural milieus for tomboys like me.

Lumbering up to stars, warm Prosecco in hand, I looked like a RuPaul cast-off. Which is doing a disservice to drag queens.

Thanks to Jodie – who most recently sported a chic, all-black ensemble at the opening night of her new movie, The Last Duel, in Paris – self-conscious young women can wear what the hell they like. Finally.

Fab abs, Lenny

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Trust is lost

CRESSIDA DICK’s 2017 appointment as the first ever female Met Police Commissioner should have been one for the sisterhood.

Instead, never has a woman been more aptly named.

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Ms Dick has blithely overseen a regime of institutionalised misogyny and shattered public trust.

Worst of all, she’s damaged the reputation of 99.5 per cent of the decent, honest, hard-working male police officers who got into the Force because they wanted to serve and protect.

Boris gets shirty

BORIS Johnson pictured jogging in a smart, white dress shirt just goes to show that not even the most powerful man in Britain has his s*** together.

He successfully managed to pack his own trainers, socks and baggy little shorts – but evidently forgot a T-shirt.

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That may have deterred a lesser, more fashion-forward man. But not Boris.

On he plodded.

On the eve of the Tory conference in Manchester, he clearly has bigger fish to fry than a Nike Dri-FIT.