Strictly fans fume as spoiler leak hints at who's heading home

Strictly Come Dancing fans have taken to social media to express their fury after a leak revealed which celebrity is leaving the competition this week. According to the Mirror ^[1], the BBC programme airs live on Saturday night, but the results show is pre-recorded and broadcast on Sunday. This time lag means studio audience members know the outcome well before viewers at home, leading to frequent spoilers.

Although audience members are expected to keep the result secret, leaks often appear shortly after the Saturday recording. The Mirror has chosen not to publish the name of the eliminated star to avoid spoiling the experience for those who prefer to wait. Despite this, reactions online have been swift. One viewer sarcastically noted, “Oh what a surprise,” while another asked, “Sorry, how is this fair?”

Beyond the spoiler, viewers are also critiquing the judging itself. Fans pointed out significant discrepancies in the scores given during the latest live show. One user on X noted that there were five instances where judges’ scores varied by three or four marks. “Preferences make a 1-2 mark range reasonable but it's very questionable when the same dance gets a 4 and an 8,” they wrote, adding that it made a “mockery of the word judge.”

Specific attention was drawn to the scores for Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby. One fan argued that their performance “did NOT deserve a 4 or 6,” describing the judges as “extremely harsh” with the couple. The fan expressed concern that the low marks might knock Mercer’s confidence, noting he looked “upset and disappointed” on stage.

Meanwhile, Will Best, who is paired with Dianne Buswell, has spoken about how his schedule changes might benefit his dancing. Best recently concluded his role on Big Brother, freeing him from the grueling commute between rehearsals and the reality show. “I think I can go for it now,” Best said, explaining that he previously had to rush across London by motorbike after camera runs. He admitted he was often tired on Saturdays due to late nights, but hopes the extra sleep will help him make progress in the studio.