Fans claim producers are steering the vote by giving rivals identical routines

Strictly Come Dancing bosses are facing backlash ahead of this weekend’s semi-final after viewers spotted Karen Carney and Balvinder Sopal have been given the exact same two style of dances.

Fans are accusing producers of the show of forcing the public to choose between them.

Strictly’s official Instagram page confirmed both couples will perform a Waltz and a Salsa, prompting debate over whether this was a strategic move to pit them against each other.

One viewer wrote: “Why does this feel like you want the public to choose directly between Karen and Bal by giving them the exact same dances?”

Carlos Gu and Karen Carney | BBCAnother frustrated fan echoed the sentiment, saying: “Karen and Balvinder having the same dances when it was completely avoidable is certainly… interesting.”

Others agreed, with one person replying: “I thought the exact same” while another said: “Ugh, they’ve done this with Jive and Cha Cha too.”

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The official Strictly caption teased “double the dance” with routines to RAYE, Whitney Houston and Michael Bublé, although the announcement left some fans more suspicious than excited.

Viewers argued it would now be easier for the judging panel and the public to directly compare the pair against each other.

Balvinder Sopal and Strictly newcomer Julian Caillon

Not everyone believed producers were masterminding a showdown, however.

Several fans rushed to defend the show, calling it “just bad luck” that the pair ended up with matching styles.

One commenter suggested: “Just the luck of the draw. You could say they’re setting George up for a fail by giving him two fast dances. Poor love will be shattered!”

Another fan argued the show plans dances far in advance based on scores and where celebs are “likely” to end up in the competition.

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“They plan these well in advance,” one viewer wrote. “Lewis going was a shock. They give the ‘crowd pleaser’ dances to celebs they expect to leave, and save the big ones for potential semi-finalists.”

They claimed Ms Carney and Ms Sopalr may have simply run out of options from the dances they still had left.

Fans also reacted to the shock elimination of Lewis Cope and Katya Jones, who many believed were robbed of a place in the final.

One viral comment joked: “What’s Lewis dancing to? Because I know you were pulling our legs by eliminating him.”

Another sarcastic post read: “Congratulations Lewis and Katya for being the first couple in history to ever win with no need of the final episode.”

Despite the upset, many viewers said they were “pumped” for Saturday and praised all the remaining couples.

Some fans have declared themselves firmly behind George Clarke, who has a Charleston and Samba.

“George got lucky with a Charleston… I’m here for it!! Team George!” one fan wrote.

Lewis Cope was eliminated this weekend despite being a fan favourite to win

 | BBCAs the Glitterball Trophy edges closer, the four semi-finalists, Balvinder & Julian, Karen & Carlos, George & Alexis, and Amber & Nikita, now face the hardest weekend of the series.

With double routines on the cards and fanbases fiercely campaigning online, Strictly’s showdown appears to be starting before the couples even take to the floor.

Amber & Nikita will be dancing to the Couple’s Choice to Fly Me To The Moon by RAYE and Tango to Higher by Michael Buble.

George & Alexis will be taking on the Charleston to We No Speak Americano to Yolanda Be Cool and samba to Volare by Gipsy Kings.

Karen & Carlos are set to salsa to Turn The Beat Around by Vicki Sue Robinson and Waltz to One Moment In Time by Whitney Houston.

Balvinder & Julian are preparing to waltz to At This Moment by Michael Buble and Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You by Gloria Estefan.