BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans fume over major format change at start of show

Strictly Come Dancing fans complained after the start of the latest live show failed to meet their expectations.

The BBC dance contest was back on Saturday (October 19), as week five saw the remaining 12 couples strut their stuff in hopes of wowing the audience and the esteemed panel of judges, including Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke.

Yet, mere minutes into the new episode, fans were thrown off by a change in the programme's format. The iconic entrance by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman was conspicuously missing, as they were already poised on set when the cameras started rolling.

Additionally, the judges' usual solo entrances were replaced with them walking in pairs, adding to the viewers' bewilderment.

Disgruntled fans took to X, previously known as Twitter, to voice their discontent. One viewer lamented: "No Tess and Claudia grand entrance. Judges two at a time. What is this country," reports the Mirror.

Another expressed dissatisfaction, saying: "The format changes with Claudia and Tess just standing there after the credits and the judges and contestants coming out to random songs instead of the theme were jarring at first and remain awful. Change it back immediately! ".

Another chimed in with criticism: "These intros still aren't working." While a fourth commented: "Feels too flat and rehearsed."

This wave of complaints comes in the wake of DIY SOS star Nick Knowles being the third celebrity to exit Strictly, following a tense dance-off against ex-Coronation Street star Shayne Ward.

Nick and his professional dance partner Luba Mushtuk scored 21 points out of 40 from the judges for their Charleston to Rain on the Roof from the film Paddington 2 and were second from the bottom of the leaderboard last weekend.

When questioned by host Tess about his time on the show, Nick said at the time: "I've really, really been surprised by how much I've loved doing it and by two things that happen."

"One is how much you care each week, and the other is how much you don't want to let down your partner.The only reason I could do this is simply because of Luba's changes, she's been amazing. There are some amazing dancers up there, and I will love watching the rest of the series."

An emotional Luba added: "I've never met someone as determined as you, and I remember you saying that if you do your best, you'll be very happy. I think you did more than your best. Thank you."

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer