Dame Sarah Storey's departure from Strictly Come Dancing has sparked fresh calls from viewers for the BBC to "stop pretending" the Sunday results show is a separate live broadcast, after the Paralympian inadvertently revealed the programme is filmed on Saturday.
The 18-time Paralympic gold medallist and her professional partner Julian Caillon were eliminated on Sunday, October 18, following a dance-off against Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu. Sarah and Julian had landed at the bottom of the leaderboard after their Icons Week Tango to Shania Twain's That Don't Impress Me Much, while Antonia and Xu performed a Cha Cha to Aretha Franklin's Respect. The judges voted unanimously to send Sarah and Julian home.
Storey's Slip-Up Exposes Filming Schedule
During her farewell speech to presenter Emma Willis, Sarah remarked: "I got to do it twice tonight which was just incredible," to which Julian replied: "You did it amazing the second time as well." The comment appeared to confirm that the Sunday results show is recorded immediately after Saturday's live show, despite being presented as a broadcast taking place 24 hours later, with hosts and judges wearing different outfits.
Viewers quickly took to X, formerly Twitter, to point out the slip. One fan wrote: "When are they going to stop pretending that there is a Sunday results show? The results are leaked all over the Internet, they should have a live show on Saturday." Another commented: "'Got to do it twice tonight' (laughing emojis) proof again its all filmed on the Saturday." A third posted: "Sarah saying she 'got to do the dance twice tonight' completely shattering the illusion that the Sunday show is live haha."
Pros Open Results Show with Tribute
Sarah's exit concluded a show that celebrated Madonna and Dolly Parton as Icons Week wrapped up. The professional dancers opened the programme with a group performance honouring Madonna's career, embodying personas from her La Isla Bonita look to her Vogue era. Later, a routine paid tribute to Dolly Parton, who died two months ago, with Amy Dowden and Kai Widdrington dancing as singer Belles performed her hit Jolene.
Viewers praised the pros' return to open the results show, with one posting: "Finally giving the people what they want. Back to professional dancers opening result show," and another agreeing: "The pro dance first, we dreamed of moments like this."
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
