The latest episode of Strictly Come Dancing left viewers scratching their heads and flooding social media with reactions after an odd decision involving guest mentor Cynthia Erivo. The three-time Oscar-nominated star of Wicked returned to the BBC’s beloved dance floor for the first time since 2021, bringing her star power to guide this year’s celebrity contestants. However, what should have been a dazzling highlight turned into an awkward spectacle that had fans crying foul.
At the top of the show, host Tess Daly dropped a surprising bombshell: Erivo would be offering feedback on the performances but would not be scoring the dancers. “Tonight, Cynthia, you’ll be commenting on our couples but not scoring,” Daly announced, setting the stage for an uncomfortable dynamic. As co-host Claudia Winkleman revealed each round of scores, the camera panned to the judging panel, where Erivo sat—paddle-less—flanked by judges brandishing their scorecards. The result? A visual that left viewers cringing.
“Cynthia just sat in the middle whilst they score is sending me, she’s like a competition winner,” one fan vented on X, capturing the sentiment of many. Others were less kind, with one viewer lamenting, “They could have given Cynthia a score paddle…. she’s just sat there like a lemon.” Another fan pointed out how Erivo appeared “left out,” while a third pleaded, “Someone give Cynthia a paddle……it’s all a bit awkward…” The consensus was clear: excluding Erivo from scoring felt like a misstep, leaving the Broadway and Hollywood star looking out of place on the glitzy Strictly set.
Erivo’s guest appearance comes at a pivotal moment, just weeks before the highly anticipated release of Wicked: For Good on November 21. The film, which concludes the story of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West, played by Erivo) and Glinda (the Good Witch of the North, portrayed by Ariana Grande), is already generating Oscar buzz. With a star-studded cast including Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Erivo is poised for another potential Best Actress nomination. Her Strictly cameo should have been a triumphant moment to showcase her charisma, but the decision to sideline her from scoring left fans baffled and her star power underutilized.
Meanwhile, the episode wasn’t without other drama. Neighbours star Stefan Dennis was forced to sit out the competition after falling ill, with doctors advising rest. As a result, Dennis and his professional partner, Dianne Buswell, received an automatic pass to the next round. Buswell, who made history as Strictly’s first pregnant contestant, faced speculation about her own health but quickly shut down rumors that she was the reason for Dennis’s absence. The pair’s bye sparked mixed reactions, with some fans relieved and others questioning the fairness of their free pass.
Adding to the night’s twists, the memory of last week’s elimination lingered. Businessman and former Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner became the first celebrity to exit the 2025 series alongside his partner Amy Dowden. Reflecting on his departure, Skinner admitted his dancing skills weren’t up to par but expressed disappointment at being the first to go.
As Strictly Come Dancing continues to deliver surprises, this episode’s handling of Cynthia Erivo stands out as a rare misfire for the show. Fans were left wondering why such a celebrated star was relegated to a passive role, and social media made it clear they weren’t holding back. With Wicked: For Good set to dazzle audiences in just over a month, here’s hoping Erivo’s next spotlight moment feels less like a fumble and more like the standing ovation she deserves.