Facing the results show dance-off is the dread of every Strictly celebrity and their dance partner.
But The Mail on Sunday can reveal loyal fans are also fearing the head-to-head each week – because they are becoming increasingly frustrated with the judges’ calls.
It comes after Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood all saved former Love Island contestant Amber Davies, 29, last week over former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53.
Contestants’ final scores are an amalgamation of the judges’ scores on a Saturday night along with the public vote.
Whoever scores the lowest goes into the dance-off, but the differences in their public vote scores is never revealed.
Viewers believe the judges should instead send whoever receives the lowest votes home.
We can also reveal BBC bosses are aware viewers want to see the celebrities undergo a ‘journey’ of growth, and fear ratings could slump if focus shifts away from that.
Anton Du Beke, who had the casting vote last week, agreed with his three colleagues that West End actress Ms Davies should stay over Floyd Hasselbaink.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal loyal fans are also fearing the head-to-head each week – because they are becoming increasingly frustrated with the judges’ calls. Pictured: Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe last night
Pictured: Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke last night
The judges went to great lengths to insist they were making decisions based on the dancing alone following Ms Davies’ and professional partner Nikita Kuzmin’s performance.
A source said: ‘Some of the bosses are at odds with the judges’ dance-off because they know that Jimmy was doing well.
‘He had got better but his time on the show came to an end while Amber, who can simply just dance because she has been doing it for a living, got to stay. The public don’t want to see that and the bosses know that.
‘The way they keep their viewers tuned in is to see these wonderful journeys and the progress celebrity dancers make.
‘People are very invested in Strictly and the fact they are given a chance to vote. It makes it quite frustrating when an expert decides who goes. It is starting to become a problem.’
Fans furiously took to social media last weekend to share their anger at Ms Davies making it through to last night’s show, which was Halloween night.
‘I wish Strictly would use the public vote to decide who leaves,’ wrote one fan on X. ‘What’s the point in asking people to vote when it’s up to the judges anyway?’
Another said: ‘Anyone in the dance off against Amber and Nikita isn’t staying because the judges won’t send her home.
‘What a shame, because I loved Jimmy.’
Ms Davies trained at London’s Urdang Academy and has appeared in West End shows such as 9 To 5 The Musical – a show based on the songs of Dolly Parton – Back To The Future, Bring It On, The Great Gatsby and Pretty Woman.
She has also been booked to play the lead in a 2026 touring production of romantic comedy Legally Blonde next year.
