“Strictly Come Dancing” is one of the UK’s most beloved TV shows which combines the glamour of ballroom dancing with the excitement of live competition. A key part of its charm is the way viewers get to participate by voting for their favourite contestants. But how exactly does the voting process work, and what impact does it have on the results each week?
The Basics of Strictly Voting
Strictly Come Dancing’s voting system allows the public to vote for their favourite celebrity and professional dancer pairs. This vote contributes to determining which couple stays in the competition and which is at risk of elimination.
Each couple receives a score from the judges, which is based on the technical execution and artistry of their performance. The judges’ scores are then combined with the votes from the public to determine the two couples with the lowest combined score, who must then face off in the dance-off. The public vote is crucial, as it can dramatically influence which pairs move forward in the competition.
How to Vote on Strictly Come Dancing
Voting on Strictly is simple and can be done via multiple methods. The BBC allows viewers to cast their votes online for free, and there’s also a phone voting option for those who prefer to dial in. Here’s a breakdown of the voting methods available:
Online Voting: The BBC offers a free online voting platform where viewers can vote after the live show airs. To use this method, fans need to create a BBC account if they don’t already have one. Once registered, users can cast up to three votes per device. This method is one of the most popular because of its convenience and cost-free nature.
Phone Voting: For those who prefer to vote by phone, Strictly provides premium rate telephone numbers during the live show. Viewers can call the number corresponding to their favourite couple and cast their vote. It’s important to note that this method involves a charge, with the cost of the call displayed during the show.
Voting typically opens towards the end of the live broadcast, once all the couples have performed. Viewers then have a limited window to submit their votes before the lines close, which is usually a few minutes after the final couple has danced.
Judges’ Scores and Public Voting: A Balancing Act
The results on Strictly Come Dancing are a mix of judges’ scores and public voting. Judges’ scores are important because they assess the technical quality and entertainment value of each performance, giving viewers a professional opinion. However, these scores don’t determine the fate of the contestants on their own. The public vote serves as an important balancing factor, allowing fans to show their support for their favourite stars, even if the judges don’t rank them highly.
Each couple’s total score is determined by combining the points given by the judges and the public vote. The ranking works as follows:
- The couple with the highest score from the judges gets the most points (e.g., 10 points for first place if there are 10 couples).
- The same applies to the public vote. The pair with the most public votes receives the highest points available for that week.
- The points from the judges and the public are then added together to form the final score.
- This system can result in some surprises. A couple that performs poorly in the judges’ eyes can avoid elimination if they have a strong fan base. Conversely, a technically skilled pair may be at risk of elimination if they fail to win over the public.
The Dance-Off: A Second Chance
If a couple falls into the bottom two based on the combined scores from the judges and public, they face the dreaded dance-off. This is their last chance to impress the judges and stay in the competition. Both couples in the dance-off perform their routine again, and the judges decide which couple stays and which is eliminated. Unlike the earlier part of the show, the public vote no longer plays a role in the dance-off; it’s entirely up to the judges.
Typically, the dance-off sees the lowest-scoring couple eliminated. However, there have been instances where the judges have saved a couple that received a lower score in the initial round if they show significant improvement in the dance-off. This part of the show often adds to the drama, as the stakes are high for the remaining contestants.
Voting Controversies on Strictly Come Dancing
Over the years, Strictly’s voting system has sparked controversy. Some viewers have argued that the public vote undermines the integrity of the competition, as technically weaker contestants can be kept in the show due to their popularity, while more talented dancers are sent home. For instance, celebrities with large fan bases, such as social media influencers or athletes with a strong following which can sometimes survive elimination despite lower scores from the judges.
There have also been concerns about fairness regarding the free online voting system. In some cases, viewers have questioned whether tech-savvy voters with multiple devices might cast more votes than others, potentially skewing the results. However, the BBC maintains that its voting system is secure and works to ensure fairness in the competition.
Another point of debate has been the judges’ role in the dance-off. While the public can vote for their favourite couple, the final decision on who stays and who goes rests with the judges during the dance-off.
The Impact of Voting on the Competition
Voting on Strictly Come Dancing not only impacts the results but also shapes the narrative of the competition. Viewers play a crucial role in determining which couples remain in the show, and their votes can shift the dynamic of the competition each week. As the series progresses, public sentiment becomes even more influential, especially as fans develop emotional connections to certain celebrities.
For some contestants, a large fan base can propel them further in the competition than their dancing abilities alone would allow. This can create tension between the judges’ scores and public votes, leading to unexpected outcomes. However, the mix of professional critique and public involvement is what makes Strictly unique, giving the show its distinctive blend of technicality and popularity.
Conclusion
Strictly Come Dancing’s voting process is an integral part of the show’s appeal, giving the public a voice in who stays and who leaves the competition. By balancing judges’ scores with public input, Strictly maintains a dynamic and unpredictable competition where both dance talent and popularity play important roles. Whether voting online or by phone, viewers contribute to the unfolding drama, making every week a fresh and exciting challenge for the contestants.
