Strictly Come Dancing viewers have been left baffled by a decision involving Cynthia Erivo during the latest episode. The three-time Oscar-nominated star of Wicked returned to the show for the first time since 2021 to mentor the celebrity contestants, but was not allowed to offer scores after each performance.
Presenter Tess Daly announced at the start of the episode: “Tonight, Cynthia, you’ll be commenting on our couples but not scoring.” Throughout the show, as co-host Claudia Winkleman introduced each round of scores, the camera cut to the judges with Erivo positioned awkwardly between them as they held up their paddles.
Viewers took to social media to express their confusion. One wrote on X/Twitter: “Cynthia just sat in the middle whilst they score is sending me, she’s like a competition winner.” Another added: “They could have given Cynthia a score paddle…. she’s just sat there like a lemon.” A third commented: “Someone give Cynthia a paddle......it’s all a bit awkward...”
Erivo’s appearance comes one month before the release of Wicked: For Good, for which she hopes to earn another Best Actress nomination. Meanwhile, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis was unable to compete on Saturday night after falling ill, meaning he and his professional partner Dianne Buswell will automatically progress to the next stage.
