STRICTLY bosses will be clamping down on celebs and pros rehearsing outside of their capped training times.
They are bringing back a weekly cap on practise hours which was introduced last year to create a level playing field.
It is believed pairings are allowed to do a maximum of around 48 hours a week.
That is the equivalent of eight hours per day on a six-day week when the live performances get underway.
They are free to choose the hours so long as it does not exceed the weekly total.
Some celeb contestants have previously complained about the gruelling schedule on the dance show.
Ex-Love Island host Laura Whitmore, 39, hinted that she did not like having to spend so much time with axed pro dancer Giovanni Pernice, 34, who is under fire over his apparently “militant” methods.
Laura, who was paired with Giovanni in 2016, said earlier this year: “I didn’t like being removed from everybody and having to spend 12 hours a day with this one person.”
The training cap was brought in last year to ensure a level playing field and it is returning for this year’s series.
A source said: “The celebs have been told they have to stick to the cap.
“They’re all incredibly competitive and desperate to do well.
“But bosses want to make sure everyone gets a fair crack of the whip, so they’ve laid out the rules.”
Strictly has become increasingly competitive since it was launched in 2004.
That led to contestants ramping up their hours to perfect routines and maximise their chances of winning.
The BBC did not comment but a source said the cap helps make the competition fairer as things like childcare and work commitments vary for each celeb.
They added: “The spread of hours across the week is completely up to each celebrity.”
Meanwhile, the pairs will have chaperones for the first time ever in the wake of the alleged abuse scandals involving Giovanni and Graziano Di Prima, 30, who both deny wrongdoing.
It will cost BBC Studios, which makes Strictly, around £250,000 for this year’s series.
The chaperones will be present at all times during training sessions.
Towie star Pete Wicks, 36, was spotted with his chaperone while at rehearsals this week.