It’s the most unwatchable series of Strictly ever and judges are cheapening the show by over-scoring celebs
IT has been the most unwatchable series of Strictly in 20 years, so it's frightening to think history was made this weekend with the show's highest-scoring Halloween week ever. Yikes.
Nines and tens were being handed out like candy to the celebs - most of whom have previous dance experience.
Topping the leaderboard was EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick who won last year's Strictly Christmas special when he scored four perfect 10s from the judges.
However, according to ex-pro James Jordan, last weekend was the "highest-scoring Halloween week ever - and the lowest standard for many years".
He added: "In my opinion, before anyone says I’m bitter", as he prepared to receive backlash for pointing out the truth.
In my opinion, James - a professional dancer on the show for eight years - is absolutely right.
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Unlike him, I can't claim to be an expert in the techniques behind an impressive Charleston or sexy salsa.
What I do know is how to spot desperate moves to liven up a series that's lost its sparkle after a summer of scandals.
The self-indulgent judges know the top score paddle - fondly remembered as a "ten from Len" (as coined by the late, great Len Goodman) - is guaranteed to see hysterically happy celebs jumping up and down in the 'claudatorium'.
Sadly, breaking records to encourage over-enthusiastic whooping from those on the payroll is just papering over the cracks.
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As a life-long Strictly fan, it saddens me to say that the 20th anniversary series is the worst by far.
Not only has it been cheapened by low-quality stars and celebs with previous dance experience, viewers are still reeling from revelations the show isn't as happy behind the scenes as appears on-screen.
This year's bunch are bearing the brunt of the bosses' mistake - failing to address the exits of Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice after abuse allegations last series.
Fans are also missing what made Strictly Come Dancing so successful in the first place - watching famous faces learn to dance from scratch.
Alongside Jamie, this series has professionally trained dancer Tasha Ghouri from Love Island and singer J.B. Gill who dances in JLS.
They might have more experience, but being able to perform the right moves on time isn't what makes you Strictly legend - for which we are seriously lacking this series.
The only glimmer of hope that could save Strictly this year is the show's first blind contestant, Chris McCausland.
He's a favourite to win and should quite rightly be the one to lift the glitterball trophy - but not for the most obvious reason.
It goes without saying, that a novice being able to learn how to dance while not being able to see is unbelievably impressive.
However, it's his ability to deliver self-deprecating humour without garnering sympathy votes, all while inspiring viewers that the impossible can sometimes be possible, is what undeniably warms our hearts.
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He may not be the best out there on the dancefloor - but he's Strictly's secret weapon.
It's a ten from me.
