Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left puzzled minutes into the October 3 broadcast after noticing the judging panel were not wearing themed costumes for Movie Week, a detail fans say is customary.
Judges break with tradition
The BBC One show returned on October 3 with Movie Week, arriving slightly earlier than usual this series. After a professional number featuring a Zootropolis-themed performance to Shakira's Try Everything and Zoo, the 15 celebrities and their partners took to the floor with routines set to cinema classics.
Presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe hosted the second live show of the series, welcoming a line-up that included Dani Dyer and Lacey Turner. However, audiences quickly noticed that Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood were not dressed as movie characters.
Viewers take to X
Fans voiced their confusion on X. One viewer wrote: "Don't the judges usually dress up as movie characters for Movie Week? ?" Another asked: "Why aren't the judges dressed as movie characters? They usually are on Movie Week."
A third commented: "Sorry, why aren't the judges dressed up? ! Total vibe is missing", while a fourth queried: "Don't the judges usually dress up for movie week? ?" A fifth added: "Surprised the Judges haven't dressed up." A sixth wrote: "Are the judges not usually done up for movie week? Or it is musicals week?"
Leaderboard and elimination
Last weekend's opening live show saw John Nellis and Katya Jones top the leaderboard with 31 points, while Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington trailed with 29 points. Melanie Walters, Shaun-Wright Phillips and Sarah Storey each managed 15 points.
As there was no elimination last week, scores carry over to this week, with the first exit scheduled for October 4. Once judges' marks and public votes are tallied, the lowest-scoring duo will face the series' inaugural dance-off, and the couple who fails to win over the panel will leave the competition.
This week also saw viewers frustrated that professional dancer Lethabo was not given a celebrity partner this series, especially after spotting the dancer in the group performance. Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
