The Growing Frustration Over Judges’ Decisions in Strictly Come Dancing
The dance-off on Strictly Come Dancing has always been a high-stakes moment for both celebrities and their professional dance partners. However, it seems that the tension is not just limited to the contestants. Loyal fans of the show are also expressing growing frustration with the judges’ decisions, particularly when it comes to who gets sent home.
Last week, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood all voted to save former Love Island contestant Amber Davies, 29, over former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53. This decision sparked a wave of disappointment among viewers, who believe that the public vote should play a more significant role in determining who stays and who goes.
Contestants’ final scores are a combination of the judges’ scores from Saturday night and the public vote. The person with the lowest score is sent into the dance-off. However, the difference in public vote scores is never revealed, which has led to confusion and frustration among fans.
Some viewers argue that the judges should instead use the public vote to decide who leaves the competition. This sentiment has been echoed by BBC bosses, who are aware that fans want to see the celebrities undergo a “journey” of growth. They fear that if the focus shifts away from this, ratings could decline.
Anton Du Beke, who had the casting vote last week, agreed with his colleagues that West End actress Amber Davies should stay over Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The judges went to great lengths to insist that their decisions were based solely on the dancing, but some sources suggest otherwise.
A source said: “Some of the bosses are at odds with the judges’ dance-off because they know that Jimmy was doing well. He had gotten better, but his time on the show came to an end while Amber, who can simply just dance because she has been doing it for a living, got to stay. The public don’t want to see that, and the bosses know that.”
The way the show keeps its viewers engaged is by showcasing these wonderful journeys and the progress that celebrity dancers make. Fans are very invested in Strictly and the fact that they get a chance to vote. It makes it quite frustrating when an expert decides who goes. This issue is starting to become a problem.
Fans took to social media last weekend to express their anger at Amber Davies making it through to the Halloween night show. One fan wrote on X: “I wish Strictly would use the public vote to decide who leaves. What’s the point in asking people to vote when it’s up to the judges anyway?”
Another fan said: “Anyone in the dance-off against Amber and Nikita isn’t staying because the judges won’t send her home. What a shame, because I loved Jimmy.”
Amber Davies trained at London’s Urdang Academy and has appeared in West End shows such as 9 To 5 The Musical, Back To The Future, Bring It On, The Great Gatsby, and Pretty Woman. She has also been booked to play the lead in a 2026 touring production of romantic comedy Legally Blonde next year.
As the competition continues, the debate over fairness and the role of the judges in deciding who stays or goes is likely to persist. Fans are calling for more transparency and a greater emphasis on the public vote, which they believe is essential to maintaining the integrity of the show.
