Strictly fans furious as they issue same complaint about judging panel

Strictly Come Dancing fans have expressed their frustrations as Cynthia Erivo returned to the programme. The singer, 38, joined Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke on the judging panel for Movie Week. Cynthia has acted as a mentor with the couples before their routines, and has joined the judges to share her critique. However, presenter Tess Daly clarified that Cynthia would not be scoring the celebrities and their professional partners after their performances.

This decision left many viewers irritated, with some questioning why she was on the panel at all if she wasn't contributing to the scoring. One wrote: "What is the point of Cynthia being at the judges desk if she isn't scoring? She could've been in the audience." Another said: "Cynthia should've been allowed to score the dances, by doing so, it would've allowed the couples to gain extra points."

A third posted: "Cynthia Erivo having to sit there like a lemon while the Judges score because it's only mild celebrity that's entitled her to be there."

Echoing this, a fourth penned: "It's so weird to have Cynthia just sitting in the middle of the Judges' table and not have her scoring anything."

"What is Cynthia actually doing there if she can't vote?" asked another viewer as someone else added: "So according to Shirley, Cynthia has spent loads of time mentoring this week....but she hasn't been given paddles."

Fans will recall that Cynthia made her Strictly debut in 2021, when she became the show's first-ever guest mentor.

At the time, the Wicked actress had appeared on Strictly for two weeks to cover for Craig and Motsi, who were absent from series 19 after testing positive for Covid.

But one person who didn't get the chance to receive Cynthia's critique was Stefan Dennis, who was forced to withdraw from this week's instalment due to illness.

A BBC spokesperson said: "Due to illness over the past few days, Stefan Dennis has been advised to rest and, as a result, he will not dance this weekend. In line with the rules of Strictly, Stefan and Dianne will receive a bye through to next week when they will hopefully be able to dance again."