Strictly Come Dancing fans have reacted with mixed feelings to the announcement of a first-ever triple dance-off, set to feature in Sunday's Halloween results show, with some describing the twist as unnecessary and potentially off-putting for regular viewers.
The historic change was revealed during last Sunday's show, which also saw former Manchester City star Shaun Wright-Phillips and his professional partner Alexis Warr eliminated. The pair reprised their jive to Faith by Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande but secured fewer votes than Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu, who danced a foxtrot to Man I Need by Olivia Dean.
What the triple dance-off means
For the first time in the show's history, three couples with the lowest combined scores from the judges and public votes will dance again, before the judges decide which one pair is eliminated. Only one couple will leave the competition, and the series will return to a regular two-couple dance-off in the weeks after the Halloween results show.
The change comes amid concerns from show bosses that a double exit could be on the cards following this year's shake-up.
Fans voice their concerns
On Reddit, one viewer questioned whether the twist was well timed, writing: "It was announced in tonight's result show there will be three couples in the dance off next week with the judges this time decided who should be eliminated instead. (ONLY 1 COUPLE WILL BE ELIMINATED STILL). Do you like the sound of it? It the right time in the competition? Or should they have saved this for towards the end of the series?"
Another commented: "Seems cruel – yes functionally get rid of/keep is the same thing, but it comes across differently – highlighting that one person has improved more and has room to grow than telling someone else they've hit the end of their skills."
A further viewer added: "It sounds dramatic but it does feel a bit mean. Strictly isn't a typical reality/competition TV show where it's filled with drama and twists, it's a feel good family show that embraces the positives of showbiz. I fear constant changes like this when there's already been a massive change in the show this year (new presenters, tweaks to the opening etc) may put regular viewers off."
Others were more blunt, with one posting: "I really hate the idea." Some, however, said it was positive that only one couple is being eliminated, as two would have been "way worse".
Strictly Come Dancing Halloween Week airs on BBC One at 6:30pm on Saturday, October 31, with the Week 6 results following at 7:10pm on Sunday, November 1.
