Jubilant show fans have praised the BBC for ‘listening’
EntertainmentStrictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing 2025
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have made a major change to the show’s results format following weeks of backlash from disappointed viewers.

Fans of the long-running BBC dance competition had been vocal about their frustration with the new format of the Sunday night results show. Under the revised structure, the two celebrities in the dance-off were being announced together, picked from a final four couples.

However, this meant that the two safe couples from the ‘bottom four’ weren’t given a chance to reflect on their journey and speak with host Claudia Winkleman before the final dance-off took place.

But after mounting complaints online, the show has now reverted to its traditional format, and fans are breathing a sigh of relief.

Fans complained as the new format didn’t give all the contestants a chance to talk to Claudia (Credit: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing results show reverts to old format after backlash

Throughout the current season, fans had taken to social media to share their frustrations. Many felt the newer format felt “rushed”, and robbed contestants of moments to reflect.

“I really don’t like the new format of the results show, feels so rushed and why are we hearing the same thing from the judges every five minutes?” one viewer tweeted. Another wrote: “Five results shows in and this new format is just as disturbing each week.”

A third added: “It’s absolutely dreadful. So unfair on the final two safe couples not to have a chance to speak to Claudia upstairs.” “Full of pointless changes and very unfair to the two contestants who finally make it through before the dance-off,” another fumed.

But producers appeared to take the criticism on board. This weekend, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and partner Karen Hauer, along with Love Island winner Amber Davies and her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin, were in the final four and confirmed as safe.

Crucially, they were also given the chance to chat with Claudia Winkleman.

“Well well it seems Strictly actually listened to the fans and changed the results show so everyone is chatting to Claudia again,” said one. “Have they changed the way they’re giving the results again tonight?” another asked. A third commented: “Thank you @bbcstrictly for tweaking the format to allow the two safe couples to chat to Claudia.”
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola were the latest couple to be eliminated (Credit: BBC)

Ellie Goldstein eliminated on Strictly

Sadly, the dance-off still spelled the end of the road for model Ellie Goldstein and her partner Vito Coppola. The pair were eliminated after facing off against EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal.

In a touching tribute, Vito told Ellie: “Honestly, there are no words I can use to describe how proud I am of you. You did really change my life so much. You made me such a better person.

At the beginning of the year, I said to myself, please, please can you send me a beautiful angel into my life? And now you arrived. I’ve never had a little sister, but I always wanted one. Now I have you, and you’re my little sister forever.”

Ellie responded warmly. “I’ve enjoyed it so much!” She gushed. “[Vito] is such a kind person and all I wanted from day one. You’ve been so heartwarming, thank you to you [Vito].”

Vito promised the pair would “keep dancing together” beyond the competition.

Read more: Vito Coppola hailed over his behaviour towards Ellie Goldstein following her elimination: ‘What a gentleman’