BBC Strictly viewers left furious minutes into semi-final due to show switch-up: ‘Excruciating!’
BBC Strictly fans were outraged as a key change to the iconic dance show’s hotly anticipated semi-final.
Semi-finalists Chris McCausland, Sarah Hadland, Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill and Pete Wicks faced off on Saturday for a place in the final and a chance to life the Glitterball Trophy.
The celeb contestants danced two routines each with their pro partners.
Former JLS star JB Gill and dancer Lauren Oakley topped the judge’s leaderboard with a huge combined score of 79.
Notoriously hard to impress judge Craig Revel Horwood was all that stopped the pair from a perfect score of 80.
Hot on their heels was Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and partner Aljaz Skorjanec, scoring 75, and Sarah Hadland with Vito Coppola, achieving 72 points.
Fan favourite comedian Chris McCuasland and Dianne Buswell scored 69 while Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal earned 65 points.
However, fans were divided over the introduction of a format change on Saturday night which featured intimate one-on-one conversations between contestants and judges before the dances.
The unexpected addition to the show’s usual format sparked immediate reactions from viewers on social media.
“Just get on with it, no need for this fluff padding,” one fan fumed.
“These segments are excruciating,” another exclaimed.
A third questioned: “Why are we treating this like it’s the final?”
A fourth concluded: “We don’t need this bit.”
However, while some fans found the new feature a distraction from the crucial semi-final drama, others welcomed the introspective addition.
“Oooo love this switch up in the semi finals where the judges sit down and have a proper one on one with the couples,” one fan enthused.
A second glowed: “It’s giving parents evening but I adore this little meet with the contestants and the judges!”
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Despite the divisive changes, fans are eagerly awaiting the results on Sunday in what is proving to be a very close contest.