Strictly Come Dancing has been plunged into a fresh 'fix' scandal, with furious viewers threatening to report the BBC show to Ofcom over claims of blatantly biased judging.
The controversy erupted during Saturday's live show after actor Layton Williams and his professional partner Nikita Kuzmin performed a Couple's Choice routine to a medley of Christina Aguilera hits. The performance scored a near-perfect 39 out of 40 from the judges, placing them firmly at the top of the leaderboard.
However, the high praise and subsequent scoring did not sit well with a significant portion of the audience. Many took to social media to voice their outrage, accusing the judging panel of showing clear favouritism and undermining the competition's integrity.
Viewer Backlash and Calls for Investigation
One incensed viewer tweeted: 'Reported to Ofcom. The judges’ bias is so obvious it’s painful. This is a fix.' Another echoed the sentiment, stating, 'The judges are absolutely taking the mick with their scoring. It’s a total fix for Layton.'
The criticism didn't stop there. A third social media user questioned the show's fairness, writing, 'How is this fair on the other contestants? He’s a professional performer! The judges' bias is embarrassing.'
A History of Performance and a Divided Audience
While some acknowledged Williams' undeniable talent, they argued his extensive prior stage experience gives him an unfair advantage over other celebrities. This ongoing debate about his background has been a recurring theme throughout the series.
Despite the uproar, Williams and Kuzmin's performance was a hit with the judges. Anton Du Beke hailed it 'exceptional,' while Motsi Mabuse called it 'amazing.' Head Judge Shirley Ballas noted it was 'full of attack, full of passion,' and Craig Revel Horwood, known for his harsh critiques, awarded a rare 9.
The fallout from the scoring has set the stage for a tense results show, with the public vote now playing a crucial role in deciding who stays and who goes.
