Viewers Critique Judging Panel as Strictly Come Dancing Shines

Fans of Strictly Come Dancing expressed their thoughts during the show’s Movie Week, particularly regarding the judging panel’s composition. As the competition enters its third week, fourteen couples took to the dance floor, aiming to impress both the audience and the judges with performances inspired by iconic films.

This week’s guest mentor, Cynthia Erivo, known for her role as Elphaba in the film Wicked, returned to the show after previously serving as a guest judge for two weeks in 2021. Her presence added excitement to the movie-themed week, but fans quickly noted an unusual aspect of her role: she was not scoring the performances.

The evening kicked off with a notable performance from Amber Davies and partner Nikita Kuzmin, who delivered an impressive American Smooth to “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” from The Sound of Music. Dressed in a pink gown, Davies captivated both the audience and judges, achieving the highest score of the series thus far. The panel awarded scores of 8, 9, 9, and 9 from Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton du Beke, respectively, putting pressure on the remaining contestants.

While the performance received accolades, viewers on X, formerly known as Twitter, raised questions about Erivo’s absence from the scoring process. One user remarked, “Why is Cynthia not scoring? Why’s she just sat there?” Another chimed in, saying, “Cynthia not scoring is a very odd decision.” Many fans echoed these sentiments, suggesting that she should have been given a scoring paddle to contribute her thoughts.

The excitement of the evening was amplified by the circumstances surrounding Amber Davies’ participation. She stepped in after Dani Dyer-Bowen had to withdraw due to a fractured ankle sustained during rehearsals. Reflecting on her rapid transition into the competition, Davies stated, “This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger, and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.”

As the competition continues, the dynamics of the judging panel and the performances are sure to keep audiences engaged. With Movie Week in full swing, viewers are eager to see how the couples will adapt and respond to the mounting pressure.