For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of judges (left-right) Craig Reve (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Strictly Come Dancing sparked fury from fans online after it debuted a brand-new format for the highly anticipated results show. On Sunday night (October 5), viewers up and down the country tuned in for the second instalment of the dance competition as they eagerly awaited to see which couple would be voted out of the competition. Last year, the professional dancers opened the show with a group dance before delivering half of the results.

Before the final round of the cast results, Claudia hosted the judges’ critiques and the musical act before closing the show with the dreaded dance-off and eliminating one couple from the competition. But this year, producers shook up the format, instead opening the show with a reflection of last night’s show, pushing the group dance to halfway through the show, and splitting up the results segment into three sections instead of two.

It didn’t take long before viewers flooded to X – formerly known as Twitter – to voice their frustrations online, as one fumed: “Nqw they don’t announce the first bottom two couple at the start? Can they stop changing the format please, I don’t like it.”

Another agreed: “I hate the new results show format, it’s so weird I preferred it before” as a third chimed in with: “Dear Strictly producers. The new Results show format is terrible – please change it back as a matter of urgency. By next week at the latest – ideally partway through this show.”

A fourth chimed in: “The new results format made me feel like I just watched it on 1.5x speed.” A fifth pointed out, “I don’t like the new format where the last four couples discover if they’re in the dance off.”

It comes after Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden became the first couple to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing after the dreaded dance-off against Chris Robsha and Nadiya Bychkova. After both couples danced their hearts out, all four judges voted to save Chris and Nadiya when they delivered their final verdicts, ultimately bidding farewell to the entrepreneur.

Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden became the first contestants to be eliminated from Strictly (Image: PA)

Before their farewell performance, Thomas took the time to shower his dance partner with praise. He gushed: “I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before, and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well, but I’ve had fun! Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good ’cause you’re a different class.”

As the dramatic scenes hit the airwaves, viewers flocked to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their thoughts on his elimination online. One user penned: “Thomas Skinner voted out!” as another agreed: “SO glad Thomas has gone, but I’m gutted for Amy, she deserves 10 times better!”

A third chimed in with: “The first celebrity couple out of Strictly 2025 are… Thomas and Amy. Amy we’re so, so sorry for what you’ve had to put up with.” A fourth echoed: “Thank God Thomas has gone. BOSH.”