STRICTLY Come Dancing has undergone a dramatic shake-up for its 22nd series – but viewers aren’t impressed.
Lorraine‘s entertainment reporter Ross King became the second star to be booted off on Sunday night following a dance-off with EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal.
Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly no longer have intros as part of the changes[/caption]
It comes after Thomas Skinner‘s early exit was branded a fix.
Now former Strictly professional Brendan Cole says bosses also set up Ross to be out next – and it’s ruining the show for fans.
“This is the show’s problem by deciding who performs what,” Brendan told The Sun, speaking on behalf of Sky Vegas.
“If they’re going to make decisions like the one they made for Ross King and Jowita Przystał – what a dreadful decision.
“What a dreadful outfit, dreadful theme, dreadful dance – dreadful all around.
“Even though he performed what he’d been given quite well, there was no way he could have saved himself from the dance-off because the whole concept and dance was absolute rubbish.
“I know how hard the show works to make it diverse in terms of what’s being put out there.
“They can’t have everything looking the same; it has to be different. They’re 22 years into a show where everything’s been done before, so they are always chasing something unique and new.
“But the problem is, if you’re going to have a Thunderbirds theme and the couple commit to it completely, dancing around like wooden puppets, then you’re only going to get one result.
“Unless the public think it’s wonderful and save them – which they didn’t – then what hope does the couple have?”
Brendan is convinced the BBC bosses influence over contestants’ costumes, music and themes is backfiring – because now fans are missing out a wide-range of dancing abilities.
Meanwhile, fellow former pro Vincent Simone believes Ross was the wrong contestant to go – insisting Chris should have been in the bottom two.
He told Paddy Power Games: “I think it was the best dance Ross had done so far. I was impressed – it put a smile on my face.
“He worked hard, and the Paso Doble moves he made were
better than Chris’s, if I’m honest!
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
- Nitro from Gladiators AKA Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will be using his athletic prowess to try to win over the judges.
- Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston will be adding some drama.
- Chris Robshaw, former Harlequins and England rugby captain will be tackling the dance floor.
- EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar, has moved from Walford to the ballroom.
- Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis has landed on the show from Down Under.
- George Clarke, a YouTube star, will also be showing off his moves.
- Love Island winner Amber Davies joined as a last minute replacement after Dani Dyer pulled out with injury.
- La Voix is the first drag star to join the main series
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink swaps is football boots for dancing shoes.
- Ellie Goldstein is the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome to take part.
- Thomas Skinner is swapping the boardroom for ballroom dancing – VOTED OFF FIRST
- I’m A Celeb winner Vicky Pattison has been announced.
- Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was announced as the last contestant after Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn pulled out of the show before the launch date over medical reasons.
- Good Morning Britain host Ross King is swapping Hollywood for the ballroom – VOTED OFF SECOND
“Having both done a Paso Doble showed that in some ways Ross was stronger.
“It was just unfortunate that he ended up in the dance-off against Balvinder, who did a beautiful, romantic, very classy number. They were completely different styles, so it was tough for him.
“I agreed with the judges’ decision, but if Chris had been in the bottom two instead, that would have been an interesting dance-off.”
Brendan added of Ross: “I thought his performances was quite entertaining.
“He was starting to get somewhere, and then they went back to the silly nonsense. He didn’t stand a chance.
“His performance was good – he did exactly as he’d been asked –but when the pro looks a bit ridiculous and the star looks the same, who’s going to vote for it? That’s just not how the show works.
“So, the show must make better decisions. That’s two weeks in a row now where the show’s own influence over what the couple does has essentially had them thrown out.”
Fresh changes to the BBC show include the deciding dance-off vote being shared between the judges and revealing the bottom four in the results show.
A Strictly insider said the BBC show is “always evolving”.
“Bosses are keen to introduce little changes every year to keep things fresh”, the source added.
Vincent gave his thoughts on Ross King leaving Strictly this weekend[/caption]
