A Strictly Come Dancing audience member has complained about toilet breaks being mismanaged during the live Saturday show, despite promises of breaks during the four-hour recording.
Posting on Reddit after attending week three of series 24, the fan advised other ticket holders to "get food for later cos it's looong" and recommended staying at the Ibis hotel as it is only a five-minute walk away.
Frustration over promised breaks
The fan said they were annoyed after four hours when they needed the toilet, as breaks that had been promised were mismanaged. They recalled that the show was running late, and the Watford Gap warm-up man told them, "Please don't leave your seats," while at the same time letting the main audience move. The fan added that they went to the toilet anyway.
In their verdict, the Reddit user said they would only go again if there were fewer dancers, as they eventually got fed up. They also said being told not to leave when wanting a pee during a break annoyed them no end, but otherwise it was an experience they won't forget.
Wider complaints about toilet access
Access to toilets has been a widely complained-about issue for audience members during the live show. One person echoed that they were not allowed to get up to go to the toilet while filming was on, and described the result show as a "military operation".
Another highlighted the show's strict rules, saying: "You can go to the bathroom throughout the show, but only when they show the VT bits." A fourth recalled that audience members were able to pop out to the toilet and for refreshment as they pleased, and many did.
Former host's admission
Former host Tess Daly previously admitted that she avoided drinking water for two hours before going on air for the Saturday night shows, due to the lack of time for a bathroom break. In a 2012 interview with Elle Magazine, she said: "I can't drink any water for two hours before the show. As we are live, there is just not enough time to get to the loo."
The complaints come after Strictly announced a new twist ahead of Halloween Week, with three couples facing each other in the dance-off for the first time in the programme's history. The three couples with the lowest combined scores from the judges and the public will go head-to-head, and the judges will vote for the couple they want to eliminate.
