Strictly fans say ‘finally’ as they spot huge change to judges during launch show

Strictly Come Dancing has returned with its 23rd series and eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot a major change in the BBC studio during its highly-anticipated launch show

Strictly Come Dancing fans were quick to spot a huge change during the launch show.

The BBC One hit returned to screens on Saturday night (September 20) with its new series, and a fresh batch of celebs hoping to impress the judges in the ballroom. Fans finally got to see this year’s dancing couples, and the return of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton du Beke and Motsi Mabuse.

But Strictly fanatics immediately noticed something was different from last year. The judges were no longer sat on separate desks, but instead together on one long panel.

The judges used to sit on the same panel before Covid times came and disrupted everything. As a result of this, the judges had been placed at their own desks with dividers between them for their safety.

But now, things are back to the way they were pre-pandemic. Fans were rather happy to see the Strictly judges hauled together on the same table.

“WELCOME BACK ONE LONG JUDGES DESK,” cheered one fan on X. Another said: “The old desk is back. Finally!”, and a third added: “THE FULL JUDGES DESK IS BACK.”

However, it seems Craig wasn’t too fond of the change and prefers his own space. When hosts Claudia WInkleman and Tess Daly introduced the new judges desk, he joked: “I much prefer it with the two inch gap and the perspex screens.”

Craig previously told Daily Star how there would be some “exciting” changes to the Strictly format this year. He said: “There’s a few little format changes coming up that are going to be really exciting.

“I can’t wait for that, something new to look forward to with the new series as well. There’s going to be a big old judges number to begin with for the launch show, which I’m looking forward to doing, and completely different to anything we’ve done before, which will be equally good.”

The judge admitted the key to winning the show is not just impressing the judges with your skills but winning the hearts of the public. He says people forget just how powerful the public vote is in deciding who lifts the Glitterball.

He continued: “So it’s about not only impressing the judges, but the audience at home, who have a lot of control, 50% control. And people tend to forget that, yes, they’ll go with some of what the judges think.”

“But ultimately, it’s their decision in the end, in the final to say who they want to win, and that’s always, generally, the person that is the most liked and loved. And, you know, dare I say the word journey, but it is about that, it really is. You want to hope that they get there in, you know, a sound and wonderful manner.”

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