Strictly Come Dancing fans call out BBC's 'awkward' decision

Strictly Come Dancinghas kicked off its third live show, with 13 stars gracing the ballroom for movie week.

Last weekend witnessed the first contestant being shown the door, with controversial Apprentice star Thomas Skinner and his pro dance partner Amy Dowden getting the boot.

In other news, it was revealed just a few days ago that Neighbours actorStefan Dennis and his partner Dianne Buswell would be absent this week due to illness.

• Strictly Come Dancing's Debbie McGee issues stern warning to Dianne Buswell
• Chris Robshaw's wife Camilla Kerslake missing from Strictly audience after clash

Tonight, celebs such as George Clarke, Vicky Pattison, Amber Davies, La Voix and Ross King are performing to an array of tunes including Soda Pop from K-Pop Demon Hunters and James Bond's No Time To Die.

For the first time in the BBC show's history, Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo is making an appearance as a guest mentor, following her previous stint as a guest judge in 2021, reports Wales Online.

However, fans have been left "confused" by her role on the show, insisting she should have been allowed to give a score.

Sat in the middle of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke, Cynthia offered feedback to the contestants, but didn't get a scoring paddle or a chance to score them out of 10 like the others.

"Cynthia should've been allowed to score the dances, by doing so, it would've allowed the couples to gain extra points," one fan wrote.

Another said: "Because Cynthia isn't scoring it's like a random audience member just walked up and sat there."

A third urged: "GIVE CYNTHIA A PADDLE."

"Cynthia just sat in the middle whilst they score is sending me, she's like a competition winner," someone else wrote.

Another added: "Someone give Cynthia a paddle......it's all a bit awkward..."

"Cynthia not scoring is a very odd decision," another echoed.

The BBC previously announced the Elphaba actress' role in this week's show, saying: "For this year's movie week, Strictly will welcome back the wickedly talented Cynthia Erivo, star of one of last year's biggest movies! Cynthia has been nominated for three Oscars – most recently this year, for playing Elphaba in Wicked – and has already won Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards.

"Cynthia was a guest judge on Strictly for two weeks in 2021, covering for Craig Revel Horwood and then Motsi Mabuse. She received praise from viewers for her insightful, supportive feedback and memorably gave her comments to Rose Ayling-Ellis in British Sign Language.

"This time, Cynthia returns for one week only as Strictly's first ever guest mentor – helping the 14 remaining Strictly couples unleash their inner movie stars by coaching them in rehearsals and in the studio on the night, where she will sit alongside the judges."

Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.