Strictly Come Dancing has introduced a three-couple dance-off for the first time in its history, a format change that left many viewers questioning the decision.
During Saturday night's Halloween special on October 31, hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe confirmed the shake-up at the start of the programme. The remaining 11 contestants performed once again for the judges, but this weekend the rules were different.
Judges to choose elimination rather than save
Only one couple will leave the competition, but the judges will now select who to eliminate instead of who to save. Announcing the change during the broadcast, Emma said: "There is a three way dance off on the horizon and you're vote has never mattered more."
The alteration drew an immediate reaction from fans on X, with many unimpressed. One person wrote: "Why exactly do we need three couples in the dance off? Let's stop the X Factor-style twists shall we?" Another asked: "I mean what is the point of this three person dance off???"
Saturday night routines
Saturday's performances included Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu dancing the jive to I'm In Love With A Monster by Fifth Harmony, while Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin performed the Viennese Waltz to My Favourite Things by Rogers and Hammerstein. Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita executed a quickstep to Black Magic by Little Mix, leaving them at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu delivered a salsa to Filthy/Gorgeous by Scissor Sisters, while Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola showcased the Charleston to Crazy Stupid Love by Cheryl and Tinie Tempah. Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby tackled the Argentine tango to Pas De Deux by Michael Abels, and Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley brought their samba to Coconut by Harry Nilsson.
John Nellis and Katya Jones performed the tango to Dance... by Slayyyter, while Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystal danced the tango to Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr. Will Best and Dianne Buswell delivered their Couple's Choice routine to Nu Flow by Big Brovaz, and Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington performed the Viennese Waltz to Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers.
Celebrity cameo and results show
The programme also featured a notable celebrity appearance, with Sir Ian McKellen making an unexpected cameo. The 87-year-old's voice will feature during a group routine on Sunday's results show to Tame Impala's Dracula, where he will recite an extract from Bram Stoker's horror novel at the performance's grand finale.
Strictly's results show will air on Sunday at 7.10pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
