Viewers watching tonight’s premiere of Strictly Come Dancing took to social media throughout to voice their displeasure with the judges’ scoring decisions.
The first live show of the series saw all fifteen celebrity-professional partnerships take to the dancefloor, with no elimination scheduled for Sunday.
Particular fury was directed at the panel’s assessment of actress Alex Kingston and professional Johannes Radebe, who performed a Viennese Waltz as the second couple of the evening.
Despite widespread praise from audiences for their performance, the judges awarded them a combined score of just 21 points.
BBC Strictly: The judges received a lot of online criticism in the opening episode of the series
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BBC
Craig Revel Horwood’s score of four for Kingston drew especially harsh criticism, with multiple viewers taking to X to express their frustration at what they perceived as unfair marking.
Social media platform X became a forum for frustrated fans to share their disappointment with the judging panel’s decisions, with user writing: “Alex severely undermarked,” whilst another posted: “These scores for Alex are shocking. She was wonderful!”
The criticism intensified when a viewer declared: “Craig Revel Horwood giving Alex Kingston a 4, after a strong showing, is totally uncalled for.” Another simply stated: “ALEX ROBBED.”
BBC Strictly: Many viewers thought the judges were too harsh
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BBC
The discontent extended beyond Kingston’s scores, with fans questioning the overall scoring approach.
One viewer posted: “So the best comments but not the best score? What? #Strictly,” whilst another complained: “Yet again, the Muppet judges watched a different dance to me!!! #Strictly”
Even George Clarke’s placement sparked debate, with a user writing: “George was undermarked even though he is 2nd on the leaderboard #strictly”
Viewers also expressed frustration about the judges’ approach to critiquing performances in the opening week.
One X user observed: “I get that the judges give criticism to help the celebs improve but sometimes they forget it’s only week 1. They don’t need a full list of flaws just yet #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly”
The scoring patterns themselves came under scrutiny, with a viewer questioning: “Does the judges have the 4,5 and 6 padel’s only tonight #Strictly”.
The general sentiment towards the judging panel was summed up by another viewer who posted: “The judges for week one are also dire!!!”
Some viewers developed theories about the consistently low marks throughout the evening.
One X user suggested: “Ok conspiracy theory time, the BBC told the judges they were scoring too generously so they’re being little rebels and just scoring everyone 4 #Strictly”
BBC Strictly: Viewers were confused by the judges’ scores
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BBC
Another user offered a more measured perspective, noting: “To be fair it’s a genuine criticism if someone’s been a Lead on a West End Dance Show they’re going to be marginally better than some other Amateurs.
“Not saying they shouldn’t be there. Just that Judges should take that into account when scoring.” (sic)
BBC Strictly: Some of the judges’ feedback was deemed ‘dire’
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BBC
Kingston herself responded diplomatically to the criticism she received, telling programme staff backstage: “They’re constructive, so we’ve got something to work on.”
The opening episode featured performances from all contestants, including partnerships such as Amy Dowden with Thomas Skinner, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey with Karen Hauer, and Stefan Dennis with Dianne Buswell.