Strictly fans are not happy about the new online only voting system
Voting is online only this year
Strictly Come Dancing is finally back on our screens and there are some major changes to the voting system this year!
The first live show of the series kicked off in style last weekend, as this year's celebs showed off their levels on the dancefloor. Whilst former footballers Karen Carney and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink shocked fans with their ability, the same cannot be said for the likes of Chris Robshaw and Ross King, who received low scores by the judges.
Despite all 16 celebs performing, there was no elimination, but that's all about to change this weekend...
How to vote on Strictly?
For the first time in the show's history, voting is going online ONLY this year, meaning viewers will have to sign up for a BBC account in order to vote.
After each performance, a QR code will appear on screen, with viewers urged to use in order to vote for their favourite couple. Judge Craig Revel Horwood appears in a video uploaded to the Strictly social media pages, talking fans through how to vote.
Following the news there will be no telephone vote, loyal fans of the show have taken to social media to express their frustration, with many asking how people who don't have access to online platforms are supposed to vote.
One wrote: 'Not everyone has Internet access or the computer skills for this. Particularly the older fans. Of which I am sure that there are many. For a show that’s seemingly doing its best to promote inclusion this makes that gesture feel quite performative'. (sic)
Another gasped: 'My nan has been a fan of strictly for years and is not online, it’s really upset her as she loves to support her favourite couples each year', with another writing: 'this is crazy when most of the watchers are elderly'. (sic)
Somebody else wrote: 'Not happy about this. My parents are in their 80s, don't want an account and get very frustrated online. It's no use saying it's as straight forward as picking up the phone because it's not!' (sic)
Another complained: 'Way to cut off most of your audience base', with somebody else adding: 'This is a ridiculous change. Some people have been watching for 20 years, and have no idea how to do anything online. You're excluding a large amount of your audience for no reason'. (sic)
When does the voting start?
Viewers will be able to vote for their favourite couple during Saturday night's live show. Voting will open and close whilst the show is live on air.
How does the voting work?
Just like in previous series, viewer votes will be added to the judges' votes for each couple to determine their overall score.
However, in another huge change for the 2025 series, head judge Shirley Ballas won't always get the final say during the dance off. As explained during the first live show, if the result is a tied decision, the final decision will now be rotated among all four judges throughout the weeks.
This means that Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood will all get a chance to have the final say, alongside Shirley.
Check out this year's Strictly couples below:
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
George Clarke and Alexis Warr
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe: ELIMINATED
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Drag Queen La Voix was forced to pull out of the competition ahead of Blackpool week. Hosts Tess and Claudia said: "As you may have heard La Voix sustained an injury meaning she can't dance in Blackpool tonight. Following further advice from our medical team, we can now confirm very sadly that she has had to withdraw from the competition."
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington: ELIMINATED
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer: ELIMINATED
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola: ELIMINATED
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley: ELIMINATED
Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
After four weeks in the competition, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis announced he'd been forced to quit the competition, revealing he'd torn his calf muscle.
Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova: ELIMINATED
Ross King and Jowita Przystal: ELIMINATED
Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden: ELIMINATED
Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Just days ahead of her first live performance, Dani released a statement to announce she'd had to pull out of the series after suffering a fractured ankle in training. It has now been confirmed that Amber Davies will replace her and pair with Nikita.
When is Strictly on TV?
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 6.30pm on Saturday night, with the results show at 7.15pm on Sunday night.
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