Strictly Come Dancing bombshell as judge Shirley Ballas | UK News

BBC‘s Strictly Come Dancing launched its 2025 collection with tears, twirls and even Harry Aikines-Aryeetey dropping to the ground to do push-ups with Anton Du Beke balanced on his back. But the largest shock of opening night time got here when head judge Shirley Ballas surprised viewers by saying she was giving up some of her energy.

Fans have been told in a dramatic closing scene: “For seven years, Shirley has been responsible for casting decision to choose the couple that will stay,” before Shirley herself admitted: “Which hasn’t always been easy, but that’s about the change. It’s about time that power was shared by a different judge each week.”

The Strictly Sunday show sees the 2 {couples} with the mixed lowest rating – from the judges and viewers at home – interact in a dance-off. The judges then vote one last time to determine who ought to keep on the show and who ought to go away. In circumstances where the judges’ vote isn’t unanimous, Ballas must make the ultimate choice.

The revelation left the celeb contestants reeling, with forged members seen listening to the news for the first time. They shared: “What a twist, can’t believe it,” and: “Is it too late to run away?”

Reactions from viewers have been just as explosive.

One fan warned: “I fear that new head judge voting system is going to cause even more carnage every results show.” Another said: “Love this! Finally Shirley Bias doesn’t have all the power!”

A 3rd instructed: “I think Shirley must have been sick of getting all the flack for making the deciding votes. Think it’s a subtle and interesting way of spicing the results show up a little!”

The shake-up got here as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned to the ground, guiding audiences through the latest line-up of celeb hopefuls.

Judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Shirley herself wowed the group with their own opening quantity before settling behind the panel.

But the judging announcement wasn’t the only change. Claudia revealed that, beginning next week, followers will no longer have the ability to choose up the cellphone to vote. Instead, all voting must now be achieved online — a transfer that infuriated long-time viewers.

One fumed: “Why would the BBC only allow voting online? What’s the reason for the change?” Another raged: “Voting is now online-only? Way to alienate and exclude a good chunk of your audience, Strictly… #strictly.”

The anger didn’t stop there. A 3rd wrote: “Some people can’t access the internet, which means if you lose internet, it’s a case of ‘tough luck, no voting for you’.”

Another speculated: “They have to pay for phone line voting. Online much cheaper.”

With no eliminations in the first live show, the adjustments gained’t chunk until next week, when one couple will change into the first to go away the competitors under the revamped system.