Strictly Come Dancing Apologizes for On-Air Scoring Error
Host Emma Willis corrects a graphic displaying the wrong score for Lacey Turner's performance.
Strictly Come Dancing host Emma Willis apologized live on air Saturday night for a scoring error involving contestant Lacey Turner and her professional partner Vito Coppola. An on-screen graphic incorrectly showed a score of seven from head judge Shirley Ballas for their Tango performance, when Ballas had actually awarded a six.
"Before we go to the leaderboard, we need to apologise because there was a mistake with Lacey and Vito," Willis announced. "Shirley scored a six but the graphic said seven. So we can confirm Shirley did in fact score a six, so the correct total score is 28."
The show also featured moments of tension among the judging panel, with Craig Revel Horwood engaging in a brief spat with Motsi Mabuse and playfully interacting with Shirley Ballas.
Despite the scoring error, the evening saw the season's first perfect scores. Delta Goodrem received a 10 from Anton Du Beke for her rumba, earning a total of 34 points. Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita also received two tens for their Couple's Choice, reaching the top of the leaderboard with 37 points. Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr finished the night at the bottom with 17 points.