Strictly Come Dancing fans have begged show producers to return to the previous format of the results show, noting “Don’t fix what wasn’t broken”.
On Sunday night, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman went straight into revealing which celebrities were safe and the first couple to be in the dance-off.
After JB Gill and Amy Dowden were engulfed in the red light, Winkleman and the celebrities swiftly moved upstairs to discuss their upcoming dancing for Halloween Week.
The professionals then took to the dancefloor for their group dance – choreographed by former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse – before Sophie Ellis-Bextor performed.
However, many fans were left outraged that the hosts and judges continued to allude to the fact that the results show was live – despite it being recorded on Saturday night.
Others were left annoyed with the continuous format changes, leaving one to note on X: “Strictly I beg you go back to your usual format next year, this format is making me think I’ve missed something. Don’t fix what wasn’t broken x #Strictly.”
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer performed the Samba on Saturday night
BBC
Another added: “Honestly how short is the #Strictly viewership’s attention span, and/or how heavily engineered is the running order?”
“Does anyone else hate what #StrictlyComeDancing has done with the opening of both shows? It was so much better with the #strictly theme when,” a third slammed.
Someone else expressed: “Introducing the couples. No weird judge dance at the start. And the professional dance should be at the start of the results show.”
Annoyed with the results, one fan said: “I think they just pick anyone to be in the dance-off. The votes don’t mean anything at all. Waste of money. They have prob already decided who’s in the dance-off. All fixed. #strictly.”
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer were in the dance off for the second week running
BBC
A sixth penned: “The charade of changing clothes & pretending it’s Sunday is really starting to trigger my trust issues #Strictly.” (sic)
Paul Merson, unfortunately, was eliminated from the competition – with many claiming he had been given “joke” dances – but fondly reflected on his time on the show.
He told Daly: “It’s been really good. For anybody I talk to, I would say you’ve got to go on this show. It’s amazing – everybody.
“There’s a Tottenham fan over there called Lincoln and even he’s nice! It’s been amazing, honestly, amazing. I loved every minute of it, I’ve had a great teacher.
`Paul Merson and Karen Hauer became the fourth couple to be eliminated
BBC
“She’s been amazing, absolutely amazing and I couldn’t wish for a better coach. I’ve loved every minute of it.
“I can dance now – I’ve won because I can dance, I couldn’t dance before and I can half dance now. It’s a bonus, absolute bonus.”
