BBC viewers have reacted with two-word remarks like "horrible" and "tacky" to Strictly Come Dancing's upcoming triple dance-off twist, set for Sunday night's results show on November 1.
The change follows last Sunday's elimination of former Manchester City star Shaun Wright-Phillips and his professional partner Alexis Warr, whose jive to Faith by Stevie Wonder failed to win enough votes. They were beaten by Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu, who performed a foxtrot to Olivia Dean's Man I Need.
Triple Dance-Off Announced
In a first for Strictly history, this year's Halloween special will feature three couples competing in a dance-off, rather than the usual two. The three pairs with the lowest combined scores from the judges and the public vote will dance again, after which the judges will decide who is eliminated. Only one couple will be sent home.
After the Halloween special, the series is set to return to its regular two-couple dance-off format.
Viewer Reactions
On Reddit, one viewer wrote: "It was announced in tonight's result show there will be three couples in the dance off next week with the judges this time decided who should be eliminated instead. (ONLY 1 COUPLE WILL BE ELIMINATED STILL)." They added: "Do you like the sound of it? It the right time in the competition? Or should they have saved this for towards the end of the series?"
In the comments, reactions were mixed. One said: "It sounds dramatic but it does feel a bit mean. Strictly isn't a typical reality/competition TV show where it's filled with drama and twists, it's a feel good family show that embraces the positives of showbiz. I fear constant changes like this when there's already been a massive change in the show this year (new presenters, tweaks to the opening etc) may put regular viewers off."
Another added: "I really hate the idea." A third commented: "It's horrible. Very tacky." A fourth said: "Seems cruel – yes functionally get rid of/keep is the same thing, but it comes across differently – highlighting that one person has improved more and has room to grow than telling someone else they've hit the end of their skills."
Strictly's Halloween Week airs on BBC One at 6:30pm on Saturday, October 31, with the Week 6 results at 7:10pm on Sunday, November 1.
