Strictly Come Dancing fans fume over 'tiresome' change minutes into result show

Strictly Come Dancing made its eagerly awaited return on Sunday with its live results show, just a day after its week five competition. However, as the first four saved celebrities were named, fed-up fans took to X with rage as hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed next week's episode will be Halloween-themed.

It comes after Icons Week saw the star-studded contestants transform into the likes of Britney Spears, Usher, Dolly Parton, Harry Styles and Cheryl Cole. But as the hosts revealed the costumes would once again make a comeback, some fans suggested that the themes take away from the technicality of the routines. One fumed: "Are there more theme weeks than normal weeks now? It is getting tiresome now." As another echoed: "It's one bloody theme week after the next. How about we have a normal week with proper ballroom and Latin music that actually means they can dance proper dances with proper costumes?"

A third echoed: "In my opinion, I dislike Icons Week. The theme always outweighs the technique and dulls the standard. I feel like a lot of couples took a step back last night, mainly due to the bad themes."

"OH THANK GOODNESS! THERE'S A HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! Crack open the green body paint. Again," a fourth sarcastically added.

As the episode got under way, Tess revealed that the first four couples to make it through to the Halloween special were Balvinder Sopal and her pro Julian Caillon, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, and Karen Hauer.

They were joined by Lioness Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, alongside reality star Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington.

Sunday's episode also saw the professionals take to the dancefloor with an incredible routine to a medley of Britney Spears songs, which saw them all dress up as the iconic pop star from different music videos.

Professionals Nikita Kuzmin and Luba Mushtuk then put on a stunning performance as Rachel Zelger joined the show and sang Don't Cry For Me Argentina from Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Evita.

However, Nikita was forced to make a dreaded return to the dancefloor as it was revealed that Amber Davies was in the bottom two alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood admitted that the public's decision for the final two was a "shock" as he offered advice before their dance-off. He said: "Jimmy did a fantastic job, we saw another side to you. Amber, I think you're amazing as well.

"It is a bit of a shock, I've got to say there isn't really any advice I can pass over except don't get it wrong."

Sadly, after dancing the American Smooth to Prince's 1984 hit Purple Rain, Jimmy and Lauren were voted out of the competition.

Reflecting on his time on the show, the footballer said: "I have absolutely loved my experience. I can only say thank you very much for letting me have this experience, and to my daughters for pushing me to come here and do this. I never expected that I would enjoy it this much... Most importantly, this girl [Lauren], she is just absolutely incredible. She has been absolutely amazing with me. You are a diamond."