Strictly Come Dancing 2025: All the dances semi-finalists won’t perform this series as viewers left fuming

'Where is the balance?'
Charlotte Colombo
By Charlotte Colombo

Strictly Come Dancing has now confirmed the semi-final dances, but fans have been doing a little digging of their own – and findings on dance styles the stars have avoided have raised plenty of eyebrows.

George Clarke, Balvinder Sopal, Amber Davies and Karen Carney will each take on two routines in Saturday’s semi-final (December 13). But thanks to the rise of Couple’s Choice and the show’s increasingly creative themes, a handful of classic Latin and ballroom styles have quietly slipped through the cracks.

According to the fan-made breakdown, there are several traditional dances this year’s semi-finalists will never touch – and viewers reckon the omissions speak volumes. Some are calling the list “very revealing”, wondering whether producers are steering celebrities toward certain strengths, or simply phasing out styles that no longer fit the modern Strictly format.

Either way, it’s given fans even more to debate as we head into the penultimate week. And with only four couples left on the dance floor, every choice feels more strategic than ever.

George Clarke dancing his Couple's Choice
George’s Couple’s Choice faced backlash from viewers – and means he’ll miss out on two ballroom numbers (Credit: BBC)

Strictly fans fuming over missing dances

As pointed out on the All Things Strictly X account, Balvinder and Julian Caillon, who are perhaps the most controversial semi-finalists of the show, won’t get the chance to perform the Cha Cha Cha or Tango. Of course, her Paso and her Argentine Tango were praised, so these could’ve been show-stopping dances for Bal.

Last-minute contestant Amber and her partner Nikita Kuzmin have managed to avoid the Rumba – arguably the hardest dance of the lot – and the Foxtrot.

Karen and Carlos Gu have avoided two ballroom numbers – the Foxtrot and the Viennese Waltz. A lucky escape for her, Strictly fans have claimed, after complaints about her ballroom frame.

Meanwhile, George and partner Alexis Warr will evade the Foxtrot and the Waltz. They’re two ballroom dances that the self-confessed ballroom boy will miss out on.

‘Couple’s Choice should not be taking priority’

“There should be no reason that someone gets to the final without doing the Latin and Ballroom dances; that is the whole point of the programme,” one X user wrote. “Other dance styles and Couples’ Choice should not be taking priority.”

“Of course they all get to avoid Ballroom/Latin and not speciality,” a second agreed. “Why do they even get to miss dances anyway? They didn’t use to. It feels silly and prone to manipulation.”

A third remarked: “That’s why the show is losing its way. It’s more like a gymnastics competition rather than a dancing one.”

Users were especially irked by Karen and Carlos’ missed dances. A third argued that Karen has been “clearly protected” from doing the ballroom dances. A fourth concurred: “Karen avoiding any dances where she would have to be elegant. She always gets dances that favours her aggressive style.”

While a fifth simply asked: “Where is the balance?”

Karen Carney dancing on Strictly wearing pink
Viewers are less than impressed Karen won’t perform two ballroom staples (Credit: BBC)

Strictly pro blasts judges

Last weekend’s elimination has become the talking point of the entire series. Lewis Cope and Katya Jones’ departure – after losing the dance-off to Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin – triggered an immediate uproar among viewers. And it isn’t just fans who are fuming. Former Strictly pro Brendan Cole has now waded in with some of the strongest criticism yet.

Brendan didn’t hold back. “The producers need to decide whether they want the judges to be actual judges or entertainers dropping one-liners and marking on prettiness,” he told us.

He went on to argue that the panel’s approach has thrown the show off balance. “In my opinion, as it stands, they’re not doing the job they’re hired for as judges, and the result is that the last two weeks of Strictly have been ruined,” he said.

His comments add yet another layer to the debate surrounding Lewis and Katya’s controversial exit – and with the semi-final just days away, the tension around the judging has never felt sharper.It’s Nico

Read More: Strictly Christmas special spoiler leaks as winner revealed two weeks before show airs

Strictly continues on Saturday (December 13) at 6.35pm on BBC One.