Strictly judges’ honest (often scathing) verdicts on contestants’ performances have always been part of the show’s appeal.
But this year, in an effort to attract younger viewers, the BBC is scripting some of the judges’ comments for the first time.
And The Mail on Sunday can reveal the move has not gone down well with judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
Sources say they complain that the script’s lines are “embarrassing,” “overproduced” and, at times, “savory.”
One line that attracted particular criticism was Mabuse’s verdict on JB Gill and Amy Dowden’s dance in week three: “You’re both like a box of chocolates, getting sweeter every week with every dance.”
The BBC’s decision to write down some of the judges’ comments has not been welcomed by the panel.
Strictly judges have branded the written lines “cringeworthy”, “overproduced” and, at times, “woke”.
All eyes were on Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola at Saturday’s show as they danced to Heather Small’s American Smooth to Proud.
A source said concerns were being raised that the judges’ comments on the dances were being “overproduced”.
Head judge Shirley Ballas comments on a dance on last week’s show.
Another quote that was considered too woke was Mrs. Mabuse’s quote to former athlete Montell Douglas: “We’ve been to India, we’ve been to Africa, now we’re to the Caribbean, everyone feels seen.”
Viewers have also noticed that Revel Horwood has been less abrasive in this series.
A Strictly insider told The Mail on Sunday: ‘The judges feel the comments they are asked to make seem overproduced.
“It’s been raised and it’s starting to cause a problem.”
All eyes were on Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola at Saturday’s show as they danced an American Smooth to Heather Small’s Proud.
The song has special meaning for Hadland, as his character Stevie often sang it on the sitcom Miranda.
Opening the show, Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec impressed both the audience and the judges with an energetic quickstep to Mariah Carey’s Fantasy.