BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans claim 'biggest robbery in history' - and it wasn't any of the current couples

Strictly Come Dancing fans were once again left reminded of what they called the 'biggest robbery' in the show's history - and it wasn't anything to do with the current couples in the BBC One dance contest.

The hit show returned for week nine of the 2024 series on Saturday night (November 16) with its annual Blackpool special. Every year the show hheads up north to the seaside town where the programme is broadcast live from the Tower Ballroom.

The eight remaining couples were seen performing on the legendary venue's sprung floor after, to celebrate its 20th year, the professional dancers opened the show by dancing to the Pet Shop Boys performing a medley of their hits, including It’s A Sin, Suburbia and What Have I Done To Deserve This.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing spoiler leak reveals 'wrong' bottom-two in Blackpool 'shock'

As for the competition, it was a great night for actress Sarah Hadland and former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri who jointly topped the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard in Blackpool with their performances, for which the judges individually gave them a near-perfect score of 39 points.

Motsi Mabuse described Tasha's intense and dramatic paso doble routine to Nathan Lanier’s Torn, during which professional Aljaz Skorjanec flung her through his legs, as the "dance of the night".

Meanwhile, Sarah and her partner Vito Coppola’s couple’s choice routine to Padam Padam by Kylie Minogue was described by judge Craig Revel Horwood as "a little too perfect". He told them he knew “it sounds weird”, but felt that se lacked emotion, which he felt "brought you out" of the performance at moments.

Bottom of the leaderboard was reality star Pete Wicks, who danced a cha cha to I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred with professional Jowita Przystal, and opera singer Wynne Evans, who finished his Charleston routine by swinging his partner Katya Jones by her feet.

Anton praised Wynne's dance to Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suite No 1: 5. Les Toreadors for its enthusiasm and commitment, but told him he looked “exhausted towards the end of the dance”. The judges gave them 31 points. Meanwhile, Motsi told Pete she “loved it for all the wrong reasons”, and “wished the dancing had supported it” and the couple received a total of 27 points.

But when it was JB Gill's turn to perform with his dance partner Lauren Oakley, fans couldn't help but be distracted by his VT. The singer's JLS bandmates were seen offering him encouragement at a rehearsal session before the big night and it turns out fans aren't over Aston Merrygold's time on the show back in 2017 with then-professional dancer Janette Manrara.

@xylottie said: "Justice for the robbed Aston merrygold !! #Strictly." @abby_dixonn commented: "Deeing aston and im reminded how ROBBED he was during his time on #strictly." @nicnac2710 replied: "Biggest robbery in strictly history that one!!!" @roscoeleebarnes echoed: "The worst #Strictly elimination in history." @kayla_louise96 added: "Aston got that right cos he did a quickstep too, back in the day. He still got absolutely ROBBED #Strictly."