Strictly Come Dancing Viewers Uproar Over 'Sabotage' and Inconsistent Scoring

Viewers of Strictly Come Dancing have voiced strong opinions following the elimination of Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, with many claiming she was "sabotaged" by her song and dance selection. Storey, 48, found herself at the bottom of the leaderboard during "Icons Week" after performing a Tango to Shania Twain's upbeat song "That Don't Impress Me Much." This placement put her at risk of elimination, ultimately leading to her departure in the dance-off against Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu.

Fans took to social media to express their frustration, arguing that a dramatic dance like the Tango was ill-suited to a "poppy" song choice. "Imagine dancing a tango to a jolly pop song. A tango is fierce full of passion, not a happy go lucky dance. The theme let her down," one viewer commented. Others echoed this sentiment, stating that the "theme" of the week unfairly disadvantaged certain contestants, citing previous weeks where similar issues allegedly arose.

Beyond the specific song choice for Storey, a broader sentiment among viewers was a dissatisfaction with the judges' scoring throughout the week. Many described the scores as "inconsistent" and "all over the shop," leading to a "mess" of a leaderboard. This perceived erratic judging has fueled speculation about potential "shock" outcomes in future dance-offs.

Adding to the show's underlying tensions, reports suggest that BBC bosses are "terrified" about the potential departure of the judging panel. The contracts for head judge Shirley Ballas and judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, and Anton Du Beke are all up for renewal at the end of the current season. This follows the departures of hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, creating a sense of unease for show producers concerned about continuity.

Sources indicate that Shirley Ballas may be considering leaving the show to spend more time with her son, who works as a professional dancer on America's "Dancing With The Stars," and his children. The possibility of any judge choosing not to return is reportedly causing significant anxiety for BBC executives, especially given past contract negotiations. In 2023, the judges reportedly sought an 11% pay rise but were only granted between 3% and 5%. Insiders suggest that with declining viewing figures, securing further significant salary increases may be unlikely.

Viewing figures for the current series have reportedly dropped by approximately 1.5 million compared to the previous year. The show has also introduced a new presenting team, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe taking over hosting duties. While Willis has received positive remarks, Widdicombe has faced criticism for his performance, and Radebe has reportedly struggled with timing issues.