30 September 2023 , 21:10
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Strictly fans were left fuming as the show "butchered" a hit Beyoncé track.
The BBC dance competition returned with a bang on Saturday night as the celebs competed on the dancefloor. However as radio host Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez strutted their stuff, many viewers were distracted. The dance couple wanted to impress with their Charleston to Beyonce's hit song Single Ladies.
The performance was dedicated to single mum Nikita and secured the duo 18 points. Yet it was the music choice that came under critique from fans rather than the dance skills. Taking to X - formerly known as Twitter - one viewer wrote: "What is this horrendous version of Single Ladies about?!" Another added: "BUTCHERED Beyoncé."
Strictly fans weren't impressed by the music during Nikita's performance (BBC/Guy Levy)"Dreadful version of Beyoncé," said someone else. A fourth fumed: "My ears are bleeding. As are Beyoncé’s." One viewer quipped: "Not fully focused on the dance, just angry how the band f***ed up Beyonce. Nikita Kanda is great though.." During Saturday night's show fans also spotted a change to the usual format.
In recent years, when the celeb and dance partner head to speak with Claudia Winkleman after their performance, a clip of their dance was played. Fans would be able to catch snippets of the dance couple's conversation as they headed up the stairs. It would range from their sheer delight of how well they danced to comforting each other after harsh criticism from the judges. Yet during week two of this year's series, fans have noticed a subtle change.
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
As the contestants headed off the dancefloor and up the stairs, their full ascent was captured with no review of their dance. One viewer said: "Thank you #Strictly for no longer showing 3 seconds of dance footage of a dance we just saw as the couple go up the stairs."
Before the celebrities took to the dance floor for the second time, EastEnders star Bobby Brazier and Casualty actor Nigel Harman were given a huge boost. Bookmakers Ladbrokes have tipped the pair to make it through to the end after wowing the judges and viewers last weekend.
The two soap stars are running away with things Strictly Come Dancing betting with Bobby leading the way at 9/4, while Nigel is a 10/3 shot. Angela Scanlon and Ellie Leach are 6/1 apiece, while Les Dennis and Nikita Kanda are the rank outsiders right now at 66/1. The first celeb is set to be eliminated on Sunday as the results show returns. It will see the two lowest-scoring pairs face a dance off, before one will leave the competition for good.