With the latest season of Strictly Come Dancing well underway, viewer interest is at its peak, especially with the increasing tensions surrounding the competition's judging process and participant performances. Recently, Strictly stars and fans alike have expressed their concerns over the handling of judge scores and the potential for contestant eliminations.
Among the most talked about moments during Icons Week was the performance by reality TV star Pete Wicks and his dance partner Jowita Przystał. Unfortunately for the pair, their routine—a Salsa to Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust—landed them at the bottom of the leaderboard with a disappointing score of 22 out of 40 from the judges. Former pro dancer Ola Jordan, who left the show in 2015, warned, "He is on borrowed time," indicating she thinks his continued participation hinges on public support.
Wicks' performance drew attention not only for its high-energy elements, including ambitious lifts, but also for his visible discomfort during the routine. After dancing, he was caught apologizing to Jowita, showing he was dissatisfied. Ola Jordan noted, "I can see Pete tries so hard," but didn’t hold back when she concluded, "He is the weakest dancer. He was by far the worst one in the competition on Saturday." She acknowledged the affection the audience seems to have for Wicks, which may be keeping him off the bottom two—for now.
The consequences of the leaderboard will echo through the competition as viewers realize their votes hold substantial power. Icons Week saw Olympian Sam Quek and her partner Nikita Kuzmin sent packing after facing Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe during the dance-off, raising eyebrows among fans and prompting discussions surrounding the effectiveness of both performance and public votes.
Brendan Cole, another former Strictly star, has also entered the conversation, criticizing the judging panel’s inconsistent scoring. Cole, who has experience as both a contestant and judge on Dancing With The Stars in New Zealand, suggested there should be clearer parameters for scoring performances, particularly if the dance and technical skills are to be weighed differently. He stated, “It wouldn’t hurt to have two marks for the judges—a technical mark and a performance mark.”
The judges for the current season, including Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood, have been at the center of scrutiny over their critiques. Cole argued their various priorities could confuse the contestants. He noted specific instances during the competition where viewers felt judges overlooked key elements of the dances performed, making calls for judgment seem arbitrary. “Pete was last, on his own, at the bottom of the table with 22 points... People obviously like him, and people are voting for them to get out of the bottom two. Whereas, people weren't voting for Montell or Sam, and that's why they were eliminated,” he pointed out, highlighting the disparity between judging and viewer support.
This commentary questions not only the integrity of the show’s format but also challenges how performance is perceived by both judges and viewers alike. The emotional stakes continue to rise, as contestants like Sam and Montell, who had put forth commendable efforts, found themselves eliminated due to perceived inconsistencies.
Touching upon heartfelt farewells, Sam Quek expressed her gratitude following her elimination. "I’m gutted, I just want to say thank you," she said, reflecting on her time on the show. Her partner, Kuzmin, lauded her spirit and talent, emphasizing the bonds forged through the competition.
Meanwhile, the other contestants are not resting easy. The pressure mounts each week, and the competition remains fierce. Competing alongside Wicks and Przystał this season are Tasha Ghouri, Wynne Evans, Jamie Borthwick, Montell Douglas, Jb Gill, Shayne Ward, Sarah Hadland, and Chris McCausland—all fighting for their chance at glory on the dance floor.
Fans continue to rally behind their favorites, but as history has shown, public sentiment can shift quickly. Those who find themselves performing against the odds may face elimination sooner than expected if not supported by viewer votes, proving once more the unpredictable nature of Strictly Come Dancing.
Next Saturday, the stakes will only get higher as Strictly returns to screens, leaving fans to wonder who will shine and who might face the dreaded dance-off once again. With critiques from former pros and public sentiment swirling around the show, the path forward looks both promising and tumultuous as the competition marches on.
