The first live show of 2025 included a surprise revelation at the end

The BBC has revealed a significant format change to Strictly Come Dancing’s results programme, removing the exclusive authority previously held by head judge Shirley Ballas.

During the conclusion of tonight’s inaugural live broadcast, presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly disclosed that the responsibility for breaking deadlocked votes will no longer rest solely with Ballas.

For the past seven years, the head judge has carried the burden of determining which contestant departs when the panel reaches a stalemate during elimination rounds.

The programme has now implemented a rotating system where the decisive vote will alternate amongst all four judges on a weekly basis, distributing the responsibility that previously belonged exclusively to the head judge position.

BBC Strictly: The show announced a major judging change

| BBC

The new arrangement means that each member of the judging panel will periodically assume the critical role of casting the deciding vote when their colleagues are evenly split.

This marks a departure from the established practice where Ms Ballas, as head judge, consistently held this authority throughout each series.

The rotation system ensures that Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Ms Ballas will all share the weight of these pivotal decisions across the competition.

The announcement came as a surprise to viewers who had settled in for what they expected would be a standard opening episode.

BBC Strictly: Shirley Ballas is normally the judge with the deciding vote on who leaves the show

 | BBC

The timing of this revelation, delivered in the closing moments of the broadcast, meant audiences discovered the change only after watching the celebrity performances and initial judging segments.

The modification has prompted mixed responses from the programme’s fanbase on social media platforms.

One viewer expressed disappointment on X, formerly Twitter, stating: “I think would’ve made more sense for it to be down to the public vote instead of a different judge each week but okay.”

Another audience member echoed similar sentiments, writing: “I was hoping it would be a ‘public vote if the judges are tied’ but nope.”

A third echoed this, writing: “Was expecting it to go back to the audience!!!”

However, others applauded the upcoming change, accusing Ms Ballas of being “biased”.

One penned: “Changes to the casting vote? You mean we won’t have to watch Shirley pick favourites over talent every week? Craig is going to do us proud.”

“Amazing because Shirley is usually biased,” another agreed.

BBC Strictly: Each judge on the panel will now take turns in being the deciding voter in rotation

 | BBC

Some suggested the huge build-up to the announcement was over-the-top, with another sharing: “They really bigged up such a minor change lol.”

Others noted it would be beneficial to Ms Ballas, who often deals with social media trolls during Strictly: “That’s good because Shirley get a lot of abuse on media every week when the show on, so wonder if they will the abuse the other judges get the same when are fans not happy who they put out.” (sic)

BBC Strictly: Judges Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced there would be a major change

| BBC

The revelation marks the one of the most significant procedural adjustment to the results format since the current judging structure was established.