‘I’m questioning the integrity of Strictly right now,’ said one viewer
Dec 13 2025
Strictly Come Dancing tonight (December 13) saw the four remaining couples take to the BBC ballroom to perform twice for the show’s judges.
The stars – Balvinder Sopal, Amber Davies, Karen Carney and George Clarke – were fighting for a chance in next weekend’s final.
However, two dances in and complaints about the judges’ comments and scoring were coming thick and fast, as viewers warned another Lewis Cope-style upset was on the way if the judges didn’t change their ways…
Anton Du Beke is usually a fan favourite, but not after his scores and comments tonight (Credit: BBC)
Strictly judges criticised
After Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke danced their way to their seats, the show began, with Balvinder Sopal up first with her Salsa.
The judges loved it, gushing over the EastEnders star’s routine, but viewers watching at home questioned if they were watching the same dance as the judges…
Craig gave it an 8, while the other three judges awarded a 9.
Craig Revel Horwood was the only one viewers seemed to see eye-to-eye with (Credit: BBC)
Next was Amber Davies. She performed a stunning Tango, but Shirley and Anton said they weren’t blown away. Craig and Motsi loved it, awarding a 9 and a 10 respectively. But despite the critical comments towards Amber, Shirley and Anton both gave her a 9.
Karen Carney was next, with Anton and Shirley both getting choked up as they spoke about her elegance during her Waltz. George Clarke then stepped up with a sizzling Samba that had Shirley on her feet and scoring a 9.
But the OTT behaviour from the judges was quickly called out. As were their scores, which some thought came as a bit of a mismatch with their critique.
Motsi Mabuse got her 10 paddle out early tonight (Credit: BBC)
‘I’m questioning the integrity of Strictly right now’
“[Bleep] off Shirley and Anton. Amber was so much better than Balvinder. It’s pathetic how you needed to be picky with her but not Bal,” said one. Another agreed: “How can that dance be marked the same as Balvinder!!!! I’m questioning the integrity of Strictly right now.”
A third commented: “Bit poor really that the scoring has gone so downhill.” “So Amber gets more critique in her performance from half the panel yet gets a better score than Bal?” another posted.
“Based on the first dance – Karen was overmarked as her frame is not great and that should matter in a semi-final. It wasn’t Amber’s best dance but she should’ve come top in the scoring . As usual, Craig is the only judge hitting the mark on the scoring front,” another declared.
“I am so annoyed at these scores,” said another. “This might be the dullest semi-final ever. And the scores are nonsense,” another added. “So dull… might not even watch the final,” another declared.
The Strictly final airs next Saturday night (December 20). But who’ll make it and who’ll fall at the final hurdle? From the looks of the leaderboard, it’s anyone’s guess…
Read more: Strictly judge Anton Du Beke addresses show scandal: ‘We messed it up’
The Strictly results show is on tomorrow night (Sunday, December 14) at 7.45pm
