Archive December 7, 2025

Strictly Come Dancing faces a fresh row after a star of the Christmas special of the series wasrevealed to have undergone professional dance training as a child

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A Strictly fix row has emerged over ignited after it was revealed that Scarlett Moffat, who is set to star in the Christmas special, was trained by one of the judges in the past. Scarlett, 35, was the first celebrity to be announced for the festive special after years of being linked to the show.

The popular TV personality is a major signing – but show insiders are reportedly angry that she is on the line-up because she was trained by Anton Du Beke as a child. She has already emerged as the favourite to win the Christmas glitterball due to her strong dancing experience.

A Strictly insider said: “Scarlett is a trained dancer, she is so good at it and spent much of her childhood doing ballroom and Latin dancing. Anton even helped her and now he will be judging her against others. It all feels very unfair.”

They continued to the Mail: “She will surely be the runaway winner and then the BBC will be desperate to sign her for the 2026 series. How would you feel if you were one of the others?”

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Scarlett took part in national dance competitions as a child but stopped competing after going to university in York, where she replaced ballroom with drunken nights out. While she is already a favourite to win, Scarlett has insisted that she hasn’t picked up where she left off.

Speaking to The Sun this week, she explained: “It’s funny because I think in my brain, ‘oh yeah, that’s what I’m doing’. But then I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I’m like, ‘oh, something’s not connected’.

“Because in my head I’m doing the moves that he’s saying. But then I look in the mirror and I’m like, ‘oh, that isn’t what I thought I would look like doing that’. I’m just having fun, and I think that’s the main thing, especially for the Strictly Christmas special. It’s the sheer joy of it.”

Scarlett returned to a competitive ballroom for the first time in 15 years at Blackpool‘s Winter Gardens in October 2024, achieving two 2nd places and two 3rd places with her dance partner Craig Andrew.

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Scarlett – who gave birth to her son Jude by C-section in 2023 – told fans she’d “never been so nervous but so proud of myself” after returning to her childhood hobby.

She will now continue her dance journey while coupled with Italian Strictly professional dancer Vito Coppola. Vito, 33, previously won the Glitterball alongside Ellie Leach, and made it to the Strictly final on two other occasions.

Vito also won the Italian version of the show in the sole season he took part in. Scarlett revealed that she was desperately hoping to be paired with him, and was delighted when she got her wish, admitting, “there’s something about the way that he dances and his energy“.

Scarlett is currently preparing for her Strictly stint while rehearsing for panto in Northwich as the Spirit of the Ring in Aladdin.

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It was always going to be a tough night for fans of the BBC1 show but the celebrity voted out of the quarter finals proved hugely controversial

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Furious fans threatened to boycott Strictly Come Dancing tonight as one of the favourites to lift the glitterball trophy unexpectedly got their marching orders from the show.

Former Emmerdale star Lewis Cope became the latest star to be voted off, following a dance-off with Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin in which the judges unanimously chose to save Amber. Some viewers were left so enraged by his departure ahead of next week’s semi-final, after the judges ruled his salsa was “not his best” effort, that they vowed to stop watching. Lewis’s devastated pro partner Katya Jones clearly agreed that his exit was too early as she branded him “the best male celebrity we’ve ever had on the show”.

Viewer Alan Price said he was devastated to see Lewis, 30, leave the competition – and would no longer be watching as a result. “Lewis has been exceptional all the way through. I’v enjoyed watching him perform but will switch off from the show now.”

READ MORE: Strictly’s Tess and Claudia leaving will give show ‘new lease of life’READ MORE: La Voix returns to Strictly Come Dancing after being brutally forced out by injury

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Lynne Dudfield agreed: “Totally fixed. Will not be watching any more.” Elaine Smith believes that being too good from the start had worked against him, sighing: “He was never going to be allowed to win but he is my winner anyway.” And Vivienne Hinds agreed: “The audience would pay to go and see any show he is in – would not go and see the rest. He has made this series, totally.”

But other audience members said it was the right decision because he “wasn’t on top form” and also had an “awful song”. Lewis and Katya’s exit came after they scored the first full marks of the series with their Couple’s Choice routine to Radiohead’s Creep during the Halloween special, which got four 10s from the judges.

In tonight’s results programme Katya told him: “I think you have created so many moments for Strictly Come Dancing that will be in the history books and you will be remembered as one of, if not, the best male celebrity we’ve ever had on the show, but also you will be remembered for being an incredible person you are. Kind and genuine people still exist – what a gentleman you are, so humble. I’m so glad that we had a chance to showcase your talent and what a beautiful person you are to the world.”

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The result, in Musicals Week, was a foregone conclusion because Amber and Nikita had already scored a perfect 40 on Saturday for their Charleston to a song from Guys and Dolls, while Lewis’s salsa to Dance at the Gym from West Side Story was criticised for having several flaws, particularly by Craig Revel Horwood and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Amber, 29, now waltzes into next week’s semi-final alongside George Clarke, 26, who is the last male celebrity left standing, plus Balvinder Sopal, 47, and Karen Carney, 38. When asked by host Tess Daly about his time on the show, Lewis said: “It’s been more than I could have ever wished for. If someone would have said that I’d have done 11 weeks at the beginning, I’d have been over the moon and snapped their hand off.”

Speaking to Katya he added: “It’s been incredible and a memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life, and I think it’s all down to you. You’ve literally given me absolutely everything I could wish for as a friend, as a teacher. I couldn’t imagine it with anybody else so thank you very much.”

Quizzed on the support he’s received and the impact he’s hoping for, Lewis said: “It’s everything, isn’t it? I mean, what is life without people? And this show, I’ve seen how it’s brought people together, not just in my family, but it seems to lift people up. And it’s definitely brought my family, four generations, together every Saturday night – my Nana Dot sitting there smiling all the time.

“You know, young boys who thought that dancing wasn’t accessible for them or whatever. They’ve started dancing now and have sent us videos. You know, if you can change one person’s life like that, then that’s enough.”

Kylie Minogue and Five will perform during next week’s semi final on Saturday, which kicks off on BBC1 at 6.35pm.

Amber Davies has hit back at critics after received four 10s on Strictly Come Dancing last night, pleading with viewers to “be kind” following criticism of her dance experience

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Strictly Come Dancing star Amber Davies has pleaded with fans to “be kind” after receiving criticism over her dance experience, saying: “I wasn’t even supposed to be in the competition.” The West End star received four 10s from the judges after her Charleston to Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat from Guys and Dolls.

She topped the leaderboard alongside her professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin and received glowing comments from the judges. However, after receiving criticism from trolls following her performance, the star took to Instagram with a request to her fans.

“Guys, please…it’s really is just a television show,” she wrote on her Instagram story. “I wasn’t even supposed to be in the comp.

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“You have no idea what we put our mind and body through for this experience.. I’m really just trying my best with the opportunity that came to me. To anyone who has left a NICE comment thank you. Xx.”

Alongside the text, she also wrote: “The meanies are out to play. Please be kind.”

The 29-year-old filled in for Love Island’s Dani Dyer after she was forced to pull out of the competition. The reality star injured herself shortly after the launch show, but was quickly replaced by Amber ahead of the first week.

Since joining the show, some viewers have criticised Amber being on the line-up due to her performance background – having starred in West End shows of 9 to 5: The Musical, Back to the Future: The Musical and The Great Gatsby.

Commenting on a clip of last night’s performance with Nikita, some viewers accused her of having an advantage in the competition. “An amazing dance but she’s had an advantage as already performed in a few musicals. Strictly to me is about taking a complete novice like George & Karen and turning them into dancers. George & Karen pulled it out the bag tonight,” one person wrote.

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Another commented: “Well she waa jn the Great Gatsby this year..of course she can dance,” alongside eye roll emoji.

Other fans have rallied around the star, writing: “Amber, you are amazing! Incredibly talented and completely deserved of all your success. You and Nikita are my winners, no matter what happens x.”

“Wtf. Im shocked at the hate. You Amber were magnificent. The night belonged to you,” a second wrote.

A third said: “Wow wow I can’t stop watching this performance by @amb_d and @nikita__kuzmin It’s absolutely brilliant!!!!!!”