Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left disappointed moments into the Halloween special, with many taking to social media to criticise the hosts for not dressing up in spooky costumes.
The opening to the BBC dancing competition's annual Halloween special divided viewers, who aired their frustrations online shortly after the show began.
Hosts and Judges Arrive in Costume
Strictly hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe made their way onto the ballroom, with Emma wearing a red dress, Josh in a suit, and Johannes in a black feathery outfit. The judges, however, went all out: Craig Revel Horwood was dressed as the devil, Anton Du Beke as an angel, Motsi Mabuse as a fairy and Shirley Ballas as the ice queen.
The Halloween special began with a pre-recorded segment of a TV producer looking at cameras providing footage of a dungeon, filmed in the style of The Blair Witch Project. The stars made their way through a pitch-black maze, with Will Best and Dani Dyer both getting a scare from someone in a spooky costume, a man in white asking Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb for dance tips, and Delta Goodrem locked in a cell. The director in the control room was revealed to be Craig Revel Horwood.
Fans React to Host Costumes
Those watching at home rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their critique of the opening. Many were unhappy that the presenters did not get spooky for their first Strictly Halloween.
@oldlambrookian said: "Was hoping the hosts would dress up this year #strictly." @ffion_sheppard_ added: "LOWKEY kinda sad that the hosts aren't in costume :(( HOWEVERRR the judges look unrealll x #strictly."
@slinehan1 wrote: "Disappointed the hosts didn't really dress up for Halloween. I guess Emma and Johannes have a Halloween vibe but Josh hasn't bothered." @goodfrmyheart posted: "hosts aren't in costume :( #strictly."
Triple Dance-Off Marks First in History
The Halloween special comes after former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and his professional dance partner Alexis Warr became the fourth couple to leave Strictly. This week marks a major change for the series, with the first triple dance-off set to take place in the results show. For the first time in the show's 22-year history, the three couples with the lowest combined judges' scores and public votes will dance again before the judges vote on which couple to eliminate.
Josh joked about the judges' costumes during the show: "Every theme week you deliver. Anton and Craig the angel and the devil, the roles you were born to play."
