We’re only one week into this year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ live shows, and already, bosses have been forced to deny claims the competition is rigged in favour of one of the contestants.
This weekend, all 15 celebrities took to the dance floor for the first time with their professional partners, with Daisy Lowe soaring to the top of the leaderboard after the judges offered their critiques.
She and partner Aljaž Skorjanec scooped an impressive 32 points from a possible 40, with Len Goodman even giving the couple a ‘9’, telling them: “I don’t think I’ve seen a dance like that from week one, ever.”
However, some viewers even went as far as suggesting that the show was “fixed” in favour of Daisy, especially compared to other impressive performers like Danny Mac and Greg Rutherford, neither of whom scored a ‘9’.
A spokesperson for the show has now spoken out, dismissing fans’ “nonsense” claims about the show being rigged.
In a statement to Digital Spy, a rep insists: “Any suggestions that the scores are fixed is complete nonsense. Each judge scores each dance independently, based on its merits and in their expert opinion.”
Although Len gave Daisy a glowing review, you can always rely on Craig Revel Horwood to offer more critical feedback, telling Daisy and Aljaž their routine was too “saccharine”.
Daisy might be riding high at the top of the leaderboard this week, but it was less good news for former Labour MP Ed Balls, who came in at the bottom after his debut performance.
Fortunately for him, the first elimination of the competition won’t be until this weekend, when the couples hit the floor for the second time.