BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers ask 'who' and 'why' as they're left baffled by judge's actions

Strictly Come Dancing viewers have been left asking 'who' and 'why' as they were left baffled by one of the judge's actions during the latest live show. The BBC One dance contest returned to screens on Saturday night (November 18) for week nine of the 2023 run.

And it wasn't just any old show as the cast and crew packed up and headed for Blackpool as per its annual tradition. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman once again navigated the Strictly ship as they broadcasted live from the iconic Tower Ballroom.

This week’s show started with a high-octane routine from the show's talented professional dancers who performed to a medley of songs before EastEnders star Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell opened the show and were awarded 35 points from the judges for their jive to Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!

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Broadcaster Angela Rippon also performed early in the episode and was praised by judge Anton Du Beke for an “elegant and sophisticated” American smooth to Tea For Two by Ella Fitzgerald, alongside professional dancer Kai Widdrington.

But despite being dubbed “creative genius”, actor and West End star Layton Williams and his dance partner Nikita Kuzmin didn't impress all of the judges. The pair were praised for their pole-based routine to Ain’t No Other Man by Christina Aguilera and were placed joint top of the leaderboard, but were unable to secure full marks.

Three of the judges awarded the pair a 10 for their couple’s choice routine, while Craig Revel Horwood awarded the couple a nine, resulting in an overall judges’ score of 39.