Strictly fans slam 'inconsistent' judges as they hit out at them for not dressing up
Fans were not impressedStrictly Come Dancing fans have branded the judges’ Movie Week scoring baffling and questioned why their usual costumes were missing.
Viewers aired both complaints online after the 15 celebrity couples performed their second routines of the 2026 series.
Some argued the marks felt inconsistent, while others said the absence of fancy dress weakened the annual theme.
Strictly judges face scoring complaints
Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington finished Movie Week at the top of the combined leaderboard.
The pair danced to I’ll Never Love Again from A Star Is Born and collected 30 points. Combined with their opening score of 29, that put them on 59 across the first two shows.
The Australian singer, 41, had placed second after the first show before taking the overall lead.
At the other end, Melanie Walters and Aljas Skorjanec received 15 points for their waltz. The Gavin and Stacey actress danced to Edelweiss from The Sound of Music, leaving the partnership on 30 overall.
The contrast gave fans another reason to examine how the panel balanced criticism against scores.
One viewer wrote: “Another year of the judges and their inconsistency absolutely baffling me #strictly.”
“Daaaaamm have the judges got their grumpy pants on today with the scores??” another wrote. “Strictly judges again with their selective marking. Also 4 and 5 are totally and utterly degrading but yet 8s for an ok ish dance is over the top. Totally and utterly ridiculous #strictly,” a third fumed.
Strictly Movie Week costumes spark questions
The panel’s wardrobe became a second flashpoint. Several viewers expected the judges to join the film theme, as they normally do during themed weeks.
Instead, fans asked why the panel had not dressed up and said the familiar atmosphere was absent.
One posted: “Sorry, why aren’t the judges dressed up?! Total vibe is missing #Strictly.” Another simply said they were surprised the judges had not worn costumes for the special.
The concern was not that Movie Week lacked film references elsewhere. The opening professional number delivered one immediately, drawing on Disney animation Zootropolis. Dancers appeared as animals, including a bunny and gazelle, during the pre-recorded routine.
It used Shakira’s Try Everything and Zoo from the first film and its 2025 sequel. That gave the programme a cinematic opening before the competing pairs presented their own soundtrack-led dances.
Even so, the judges’ missing costumes stood out to viewers expecting everyone to embrace the annual theme.
Attention therefore split between what happened on the floor and how the panel presented the special.
Strictly Come Dancing results show and first elimination
Strictly’s Movie Week performances aired on Saturday, 3 October, during the second live show on BBC One.
The special arrived in week two, earlier than at any point in previous series. One fan felt that early placement made the occasion less special, alongside the missing costumes.
The public vote opened after all 15 couples had performed, beginning the season’s first elimination process. The result will be revealed during the Sunday, 4 October show.
Delta and Kai lead the combined standings on 59, while Melanie and Aljas sit bottom on 30. However, viewers must wait for the results programme to learn which pairing leaves first. Until then, the judges’ scores and missing fancy dress remain the main fan talking points.
Read more: Strictly star John Nellis announces his wife is pregnant on show
Strictly continues tonight (Sunday, October 4) from 7.10pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
