STRICTLY Come Dancing viewers have branded the show’s latest judge shake-up ‘awkward’ after a baffling decision.
The BBC programme welcomed Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo to be a guest judge on the programme with the iconic leading lady sitting in the middle of the panel.
Cynthia has spent the week working with the celebrities and their partners to help them with their performance and offering up her advice during their training.
However, when the live show kicked off, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirmed that despite the huge hype surrounding Cynthia being on the panel, the actress was barred from scoring the couples.
As she wasn’t allowed a paddle to mark the pairs, Cynthia found herself sitting awkwardly among the judging panel as the other four judges offered up their scores.
It left fans at home begging the BBC to let Cynthia have a paddle last-minute after branding her inclusion on the panel “awkward”.
Writing on X, one wrote: “Why is Cynthia not scoring? Why’s she just sat there loool stick her in the audience or summat.”
Another added: “Oh is Cynthia not scoring?? That’s odd.”
A third went on to say: “Someone give Cynthia a paddle……it’s all a bit awkward…”
A fourth echoed: “Why isn’t Cynthia scoring.”
Before a fifth attempted to find humour in Cynthia’s minimal contribution: “Obsessed with Cynthia just sat there.”
Cynthia, who played witch Elphaba in 2024 Wizard of Oz prequel Wicked, was a stand-in judge in 2021.
It comes ahead of the release on November 21 of the sequel movie Wicked: For Good, again starring Cynthia and Ariana Grande.
The first Wicked film, which came out last November, made over £565million worldwide.
It is the highest ever grossing film adaptation of a musical and was the fifth highest grossing film of last year.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
- Nitro from Gladiators AKA Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will be using his athletic prowess to try to win over the judges.
- Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston will be adding some drama.
- Chris Robshaw, former Harlequins and England rugby captain will be tackling the dance floor.
- EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar, has moved from Walford to the ballroom.
- Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis has landed on the show from Down Under.
- George Clarke, a YouTube star, will also be showing off his moves.
- Love Island winner Amber Davies joined as a last minute replacement after Dani Dyer pulled out with injury.
- La Voix is the first drag star to join the main series
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink swaps is football boots for dancing shoes.
- Ellie Goldstein is the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome to take part.
- Thomas Skinner is swapping the boardroom for ballroom dancing.
- I’m A Celeb winner Vicky Pattison has been announced.
- Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was announced as the last contestant after Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn pulled out of the show before the launch date over medical reasons.
