head judge Shirley Ballas stunned viewers by announcing she was giving up some of her power (Image: bbc)

BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing launched its 2025 series with tears, twirls and even Harry Aikines-Aryeetey dropping to the floor to do push-ups with Anton Du Beke balanced on his back. But the biggest shock of opening night came when head judge Shirley Ballas stunned viewers by announcing she was giving up some of her power.

Fans were 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 two couples with the combined lowest score – from the judges and viewers at home – engage in a dance-off. The judges then vote one last time to decide who should stay on the show and who should leave. In cases where the judges’ vote is not unanimous, Ballas must make the final decision.

The night was full of chaotic moments (Image: bbc)
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The revelation left the celebrity contestants reeling, with cast members seen hearing 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 were 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 third suggested: “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 came as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned to the floor, guiding audiences through the latest line-up of celebrity hopefuls.

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

But the judging announcement wasn’t the only change. Claudia revealed that, starting next week, fans will no longer be able to pick up the phone to vote. Instead, all voting must now be done online — a move 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 third 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 changes won’t bite until next week, when one couple will become the first to leave the competition under the revamped system.