Saturday night television in Britain has long been defined by the glitz, drama, and unpredictability of Strictly Come Dancing. But this past weekend, the BBC’s flagship dance competition found itself at the center of a storm—not on the dance floor, but online. A notorious leak of the Icons Week results, nearly a full day before the live broadcast, sent social media into a frenzy and reignited debate over the integrity and suspense of one of the UK’s most beloved entertainment institutions.
The drama began late on October 25, 2025, when the so-called "Strictly Spoiler mole" posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 11pm: “Back with the information we all craved.” This message, coming about 20 hours before the results were set to air on BBC One, confirmed what many fans had come to expect in recent years—another pre-broadcast leak of who would be leaving the competition, as reported by BBC and Yorkshire Live. The mole, citing both an audience source and their own contacts, confidently declared the outcome of the dance-off and the judges’ unanimous decision to save one contestant over another. Though the actual name of the eliminated dancer was omitted in the public posts, the spoiler nonetheless ignited a wave of online reactions.
The Icons Week episode itself was a showcase of musical tributes, with contestants channeling legends from the Beatles to Taylor Swift. The leaderboard told its own story: drag star La Voix found themselves at the bottom for the second week running, despite doubling their previous score with a 28-point salsa to Cher’s “Strong Enough.” West End star Amber Davies, paired with Nikita Kuzmin, dazzled with a cha cha to Ariana Grande’s “Break Free,” earning 33 points and tying for second place with Vicky Patterson. Meanwhile, Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink were just behind, each scoring 30 points.
But as any Strictly devotee knows, leaderboard positions are only half the story. The audience vote can—and often does—upend expectations. This week, it was Amber Davies and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who found themselves in the dreaded dance-off. According to the spoiler, the judges were unanimous in their decision, though the identity of the eliminated contestant remained under wraps until the official broadcast. That didn’t stop fans from venting their frustrations online. Comments ranged from disbelief (“You have got to be kidding me”) to pointed critiques about perceived favoritism and the fairness of the dance-off pairings. As one fan put it, “One of the worst spoilers I’ve ever seen.”
The leak’s impact was immediate and widespread. Social media platforms buzzed with speculation, disappointment, and anger—not just at the result, but at the very existence of the spoiler culture that now shadows Strictly. Some viewers lamented that the tension and excitement of the Sunday results show had been undermined. Others took aim at the judges, the voting system, and even the contestants themselves. “No one likes the people that can already dance,” remarked one disgruntled fan, while another insisted, “It should have been George in the bottom two, he was rubbish tonight.” The conversation was as much about the process as the personalities, with many questioning whether the show’s format can withstand the relentless advance of spoilers.
While the controversy over the leak dominated online chatter, the show itself pressed on. BBC One aired the Icons Week episode at 6:20pm on October 26, 2025, as scheduled, keeping millions glued to their screens. The elimination followed the recent departures of Chris Robshaw and Stefan Dennis—Robshaw the third “leaden-footed bloke” to exit, Dennis sidelined by injury. The remaining dancers continued to pay homage to musical legends, their routines judged not only by the panel but by a nation of armchair critics.
Elsewhere in the week’s television offerings, viewers were spoiled for choice. As highlighted in the comprehensive TV guide from The Telegraph, the days leading up to Halloween were packed with everything from ghost-hunting comedy (Daisy May and Charlie Cooper’s NightWatch on BBC Two) to high-stakes drama (the return of Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+ and Trigger Point on ITV1). BBC One also featured live coverage of the Rugby League Ashes and a women’s international football clash between England and Brazil, while Netflix and Apple TV rolled out new seasons of The Witcher and Down Cemetery Road, respectively.
But it was Strictly Come Dancing that remained the week’s lightning rod. The show’s enduring popularity is a testament to its blend of spectacle, competition, and emotion. Yet, as the leak demonstrated, the modern media landscape presents unique challenges. The pre-recorded nature of the Sunday results show—taped immediately after Saturday’s live performances—creates a window for spoilers to slip through. For some, the leaks are an irresistible temptation; for others, they’re a blight on the communal viewing experience.
The BBC, for its part, has consistently declined to comment on individual leaks, instead emphasizing the importance of the live show and the audience’s role in shaping the outcome. But fan reactions suggest that the issue is far from settled. As one viewer mused, “Why were those couples in the dance off?” Another added, “I was not expecting that result.” The debate over fairness, transparency, and entertainment value is as much a part of the Strictly experience as the glitter and sequins.
Looking ahead, the competition shows no signs of slowing down. Icons Week’s elimination sets the stage for the much-anticipated Halloween Special, with the remaining contestants hoping to avoid the next dance-off. For fans, the tension between anticipation and revelation—between the magic of live television and the realities of social media—remains unresolved. Will the BBC find a way to outwit the spoiler moles, or is this just the new normal for Saturday night TV?
For now, Strictly Come Dancing continues to deliver drama both on and off the dance floor, its loyal viewers as passionate and divided as ever. One thing is certain: in the world of glitzy competition, nothing stays secret for long.