The BBC has changed the format of its Strictly Come Dancing companion show after Amy Dowden and Chris Appleton became the first couple voted off the 2026 series on Sunday.
The pair joined It Takes Two to discuss their exit, marking a return to couple interviews on the show. Earlier in the series, fans had complained that the programme no longer featured pro and celebrity pair interviews.
Viewer complaints over new format
It Takes Two returned last week with new host Ellie Taylor, who took over from former presenters Fleur East and Janette Manrara. The pair previously shared hosting duties on different days.
However, viewers of the companion show were unhappy with the 2026 series, saying it had failed to include interviews with the professional dancers and their celebrity partners.
One viewer, @jordanlea, said: "I really don't like how we don't see the pros and celebs together on It Takes Two... please can we just have it back to normal."
Another, @clarkson83465, said: "I agree with you, about the fake laughing at the unfunny jokes and too much shouting from the production team in the studio. Need to [have] celebs and pros interviewed together. The old format was a lot better."
First elimination of the series
Chris Appleton, 43, was paired with professional dancer Amy Dowden, 36. Their dances in the first two weeks of the show failed to impress the judges, who sent them home.
The pair left the competition following a movie week dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu.
This week's judges' scores were added to those from last week's first live show, when there was no public vote, and were then combined with the results of Saturday night's public vote to decide the two lowest-scoring couples who would face the dance-off.
Both couples performed their routines again, with Appleton and Dowden doing a cha cha to I'll Be Ready from Baywatch before Winstone and Gu did the same dance to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman.
Tearful reaction
Judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Winstone and Gu, who won last season with former footballer Karen Carney. Craig Revel Horwood, who had the deciding vote this week, said he would have also saved the same couple if he had needed to vote.
Chris, breaking down in tears, told Ellie: "It's just been a phenomenal experience, and I think I'll take away from it, I said to my kids on Saturday, however you feel in life, challenge yourself and do it anyway. I just told you I would go out there shaking didn't I, but I did it anyway.
"I looked back at Amy and saw her smile."
Viewer @ryansoapking25 said: "Finally pairing interviews (but only when the celebs leave)."
