Strictly Come Dancing fans issued the same complaint as the new series of spin-off show It Takes Two got underway following the first live show of the main series. Viewers were unhappy that celebrity contestants were no longer interviewed alongside their professional partners.
First live show kicks off series
The hit BBC One dance contest officially began on Saturday night (September 26) following the pre-recorded launch show the previous weekend, in which the new cast were paired with their professional dance partners. It was the first time Strictly went live this year, with new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe at the helm, as all 15 new celebrities and their pro partners took to the dance floor to perform a full routine in front of the judges for the first time.
The evening saw EastEnders actress Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola dance a cha cha to How Will I Know by Whitney Houston, scoring 27 points, while actress Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu’s quickstep to Stop This Flame by Celeste scored 26. Social media star John Nellis topped the Strictly leaderboard. The Northern Irish football content creator and his partner, Katya Jones, wowed the judges with a foxtrot to Alex Warren’s Ordinary, receiving 31 points out of a possible 40 from the judging panel of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
New host and new format for It Takes Two
On Monday (September 28), Strictly's sister programme It Takes Two returned to screens with new host Ellie Taylor. The TV star and former Strictly contestant has replaced Janette Manrara and Fleur East on the show, which brings fans inside the training room and gives them exclusive details and behind-the-scenes gossip in between each live show. As the 30-minute show, with a new set, aired the first of its 2026 episodes, fans noticed that the celebrity contestants were no longer interviewed alongside their professional partners. Instead, Ellie interviewed Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, and Jaime Winstone together, with their dance partners nowhere to be seen.
Fans react on social media
Viewers flocked to social media to share their disappointment. @mebecauseofgu said: "Really don't understand why they aren't doing it takes two interviews in couples as they've always done... feels strange to take the pros out of it when they are such a huge part of the show #strictly." @scdjowitasdaisy commented: "Disappointing that they are not interviewing the pros, the continuous disrespect to the individuals who are the sole reason this show even works." @abbygsx wrote: "So they’re doing like 15 minutes of a random panel talking about the couples? JUST TALK TO THE ACTUAL COUPLES INSTEAD."
@slinehan1 posted: "So they're not doing interviews with the couples? Just the celebs alone? Hate that!! Part of the reason I watch #ItTakesTwo is to see how the chemistry between the couples is progressing and to see the couples interacting on the sofa. Honestly I might be out already. #Strictly." @Kaaaaatie_x typed: "Loving ellie on #ittakestwo but choosing to get rid of the couple interviews is baffling to me? i want to learn more about their weeks in training, not just have three random celebs popping up for five minutes." @lucymaygoodwin added: "The entire reason most of the strictly fandom watch ITT and the main show is for the pros, why are they suddenly not included in the interviews?! BAD move. #strictly #ItTakesTwo."
Ellie, meanwhile, was a complete hit. @jordanlea29 said: "Ellie Taylor is doing so well. she's come in and not only had to fill one pain of shoes but two! she's carrying a week long show on her own. Im really enjoying strictly and takes two so far, even if it is only week 1 #strictlycomedancing #strictly #ittakestwo." @Simy_78 commented: "Ellie Taylor is a natural at hosting #ItTakesTwo #Strictly." @tvreality93 shared: "Despite my criticism ellie is fab #ittakestwo #strictly exactly what the main show needs." @sarahlawson84 added: "Loving Ellie on #ItTakesTwo so far. A energetic, confident start."
