Strictly Come Dancing viewers have voiced their displeasure after hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe announced a major format change during Saturday's Halloween Week episode. For the first time in the show's history, the dance-off will include three couples instead of the usual two.
The remaining 11 contestants performed spooktacular routines on Saturday night (October 31), but the trio revealed the significant alteration to the results show format. Announcing the change, Emma said: "There is a three-way dance-off on the horizon, and your vote has never mattered more."
Fans React to the New Twist
Many viewers took to X to share their thoughts on the shake-up, with reactions largely negative. One person wrote: "Why exactly do we need three couples in the dance-off? Let's stop the X Factor-style twists shall we?"
Another posted: "Anyone doing a shot every time they mention the three-way dance-off??" while someone else commented: "I mean, what is the point of this three-person dance-off???"
One fan added: "It's going to be weird having three in the dance off!" and another wrote: "I don't get what the point of a three-person dance-off is??"
Saturday Night Performances
The night's routines included Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu dancing the jive to I'm In Love With A Monster by Fifth Harmony, while Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin performed the Viennese Waltz to My Favourite Things by Rogers and Hammerstein.
Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu delivered a salsa to Filthy/Gorgeous by Scissor Sisters, and Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola impressed with the Charleston to Crazy Stupid Love by Cheryl and Tinie Tempah. Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby performed an Argentine tango to Pas De Deux by Michael Abels, Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley danced a samba to Coconut by Harry Nilsson, and John Nellis and Katya Jones performed the tango to Dance... by Slayyyter.
Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita stepped out a quickstep to Black Magic by Little Mix, Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystal tackled the tango to Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr., Will Best and Dianne Buswell showcased their Couple's Choice routine to Nu Flow by Big Brovaz, and Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington performed the Viennese Waltz to Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers.
Sunday's Results Show
Viewers can also expect a surprise appearance from Sir Ian McKellen, whose voice will feature during a group performance on Sunday's results show. The 87-year-old will recite a passage from Bram Stoker's classic horror novel at the routine's dramatic finale, set to Tame Impala's Dracula.
The Strictly judges will vote on who to eliminate during Sunday night's show, which airs at 7.10pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
