Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left buzzing after spotting Bridgerton star Hannah Dodd in the audience during the BBC dancing competition's Halloween special on Saturday, October 31.
It was a big night for the remaining contestants, who were looking to avoid landing in the dance-off after a spooky twist was announced to the regular format. Three couples with the lowest combined judges' scores and public votes will be forced to take part in the dance-off next week, before the judges send home one pair.
Halloween costumes and celebrity guests
Getting into the spirit of things, the judges wore Halloween costumes this week. Craig Revel Horwood was dressed as the devil, Anton Du Beke was an angel, Motsi Mabuse was a fairy, and Shirley Ballas was the ice queen.
Each week of the series has seen unexpected famous faces sitting in the crowd, including Dani Dyer's West Ham husband Jarrod Bowen. Spotted in the crowd this week was former Lioness Karen Carney, who won the Glitterball trophy last year with pro dancer Carlos Gu.
Hannah Dodd's career and Bridgerton role
Colchester native Hannah Dodd is best known for beginning her career in modeling and dancing. She played Dorothea "Thea" Raphael in children's drama Find Me in Paris from 2018 to 2020. She has also appeared in hit films such as Fighting with My Family, Marvels' Eternals and Enola Holmes 2. However, she is best known for playing Francesca Stirling in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton.
Joining the period drama in 2022, she has played a key role in three seasons. The upcoming fifth series will see her take centre stage, focusing on the show's first central same-sex romance, set two years after the death of Francesca's husband, Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli). She will fall for Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza).
"When you spend so much time with a character, you genuinely do want them to be happy. So I'm really looking forward to [Francesca] feeling like she deserves love," Hannah previously told Netflix.
Fan reaction on social media
Following her surprise appearance on the latest episode of Strictly, many of Hannah's fans flocked to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say at seeing one of their favourite stars in the crowd.
@lesfranchaela said: "HANNAH DODD IN THE STRICTLY AUDIENCE!!!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN PEOPLE." @hulme_steph added: "Hannah Dodd aka Francesca Bridgerton is in the audience! Love her so much."
@daisysmidgeley wrote: "HANNAH DODD IN THE STRICTLY AUDIENCE HELLO???" @notthatpoppy posted: "HANNAH DODD IN THE STRICTLY BALLROOM." @mollip4life commented: "HANNAH DODD IN THE STRICTLY AUDIENCE??" @sukieshas stated: "hannah dodd in the audience this was done for me #Strictly."
