BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans claim couple ‘broke rules’ after ‘spotting’ subtle signal

Strictly Come Dancing fans were convinced one couple had ‘cheated’ in the first Instant Dance challenge on Saturday (November 29) night

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were swift to accuse one couple of “cheating” after noticing a telling detail. During Saturday’s (November 29) instalment of the BBC programme, the competition unveiled a fresh challenge requiring the couples to execute an unrehearsed dance for additional points.

The duo found themselves at the top of the latest Strictly leader board following the inaugural Instant Dance challenge. The show commenced as usual, with each partnership delivering their prepared routines, and Emmerdale star Lewis Cope alongside professional partner Katya Jones delivered an impressive rumba to Harry Styles’ Falling.

The pair secured 36 points from the panel, after achieving a flawless score in Blackpool the previous weekend, with head judge Shirley Ballas commenting: “I love the chemistry, I love the narrative, and I love the way you told the whole story. So for me, I would say this is one of the very, very good rumbas. Well done.”

Yet their appearance on the dance floor wasn’t finished, as later in the programme they came back to discover which dance they’d need to execute and its accompanying track for the Instant Dance challenge.

The surprise dance examined their expertise, as it featured a routine they’d mastered during the series and was disclosed in an envelope selected the previous week but remained sealed until the live broadcast.

Contestants were given just 15 seconds to select a costume, change backstage quickly, and a mere ten seconds to decide how to perform their dance, reports the Express.

The judges then ranked each performance, with the top spot earning six points and the lowest just one.

Shirley described it as an extremely tight decision for first place, but awarded the victory to Lewis and Katya, who “took chances” with their jive, securing six additional points.

However, some sharp-eyed viewers were swift to question Katya, who they claim was spotted directing her partner before the permitted time.

One viewer posted on X: “Katya was signalling to Lewis about what moves to do when they were on the stairs. But they were not allowed to until the 10 second count down. #StrictlyComeDancing #strictly.”

@Jimbo1984 observed: “So much for the professionals not talking to celeb before the 10 seconds. Katya showed Lewis the leg move to do whilst on stairs and Nikita and Amber were shouting across stairs to each other before Karen danced. Surely that’s breaking the rules of this challenge. #strictly.”

However, @slinehan1 countered: “LEWIS AND KATYA DID NOT CHEAT IN THE INSTANT DANCE CHALLENGE!! It was never said that the couples couldn’t signal to each other on the stairs!!

“You’re all just bitter that he’s the best dancer and it’s pathetic trying to bring him down like that. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday at 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.