Huge Strictly voting change sparks fury among fans over fears it will alter results

A huge voting change on Strictly Come Dancing has sparked fury among fans over fears it will alter the results. During last night’s (Saturday 27 September) first live show, host Claudia Winkleman revealed “this year it’s changing”.

Bringing in pro dancer Neil Jones to explain, he began: “This year for the first time on Strictly, vote will be online only,” before telling fans they would need to register for a BBC account to have their say.

In previous years, viewers at home have been able to call in or text to place their votes for their favourite stars but it looks like it’s all change this time around. Fans were understandably shocked by the news and took to X to share their frustrations.

One unhappy person expressed: “#StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly You have just alienated a huge part of your audience by getting rid of the phone vote. I cannot imagine my elderly mother & thousands like her, able to log on to register a vote on her favourite programme. Another strike against the elderly.”

Another viewer fumed: “So @bbcstrictly You’ve completely prevented any of the older generation that don’t possess a smart phone or computer from voting by making it online only. You should be ashamed #Strictly.”

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Somebody else argued: “#Strictly very sad how exclusive voting is this year internet only. I have friends who have watched every series & always voted by phone. Not this year.

“They don’t have a smart phone or internet at home. I wonder how any others won’t be voting this year?”

While a fourth added: “Getting rid of the voting by phone is so wrong. I’m sure there are so many people who don’t have smartphones and who used to vote that way #Strictly.”

The voting change isn’t the only change that’s been incorporated onto the show this year, as head judge Shirley Ballas revealed at the end of the show.

For the last seven years, Shirley has been responsible for the gruelling decision of choosing which couple in the bottom two should leave if the votes are tied after the dance off.

However, now it's been announced that the power is going to be shared between the four judges, with a different judge holding the power each week.

The change will start from next week, when the first couple will be eliminated from the series. As of yet, Strictly aren't revealing which judge has the power, but the celebs are worried...

A video clip of the celebrities reacting to the news was played as Vicky Pattison said: “This changes everything!,” with Ross King adding: “I just can't believe it!”

EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal says: “I was nervous, but this is another level,” and George Clarke expresses: “Is it too late to run away?”

Viewers at home were once again unimpressed by the changes on their favourite show as someone said: “i think would’ve made more sense for it to be down to the public vote instead of a different judge each week but okay," while another commented: "I was hoping it would be a 'public vote if the judges are tied' but nope."

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