BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans ask 'are we back' as they spot 'interesting' move that makes show 'nicer'

Strictly Come Dancing fans are hoping a change made during the show's Blackpool special is here to stay as they also spotted a move which made the much-loved programme 'nicer'.

The BBC One dance show returned to screens on Saturday night (November 16), and it was bigger and better than ever. The stars relocated to Blackpool's iconic Tower Ballroom for the competition's annual special up north.

Week nine of the current series saw Strictly celebrate its 20th year by kicking things off with the professional dancers 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, before the eight remaining couples in the competition took to the famous floor.

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Comedian Chris McCausland opened the show, delivering a classical American smooth routine to Canadian-born singer Paul Anka’s Jump with his partner Dianne Buswell.

Meanwhile, actress Sarah Hadland and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri jointly topped the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard following their performances in the famous Tower Ballroom, for which the judges individually gave them a near-perfect score of 39 points.

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.

The latter pairing went ont o be eliminated from Strictly during Sunday night's (November 17) results show. And it wasn't just the dreaded dance-off that took place during the eighth results show of the series as it opened with the professional dancers putting on a passionate and sultry performance to Tango Jalouise.

And it was during that performance that fans were left in awe - and not just of the dancers themselves. They were quick to point out after several weeks of changing the format of the results show, the professional opener was back before viewers couldn't help but notice the quitness of the audience as they performed.

@paradiseieah asked: "Starting with the pro routine?? are we actually back to how it should be??? #Strictly." @soulcontrol_wyp replied: "Begging that they've actually listened to people's complaints and keep it this way, its just so much better."@jackieszel posted: "The group number, finally one i’m obsessed with and isn’t it just so much better when we open with the group routine #Strictly."

@philm2244 shared: "So nice to see dancing without the audience screaming and cheering every 20 seconds. They were silent and respectful for the dancers. Makes a big difference. #strictly." @VictorianDad2 added: "Interesting that the audience didn't clap once during the professionals group dance. Which suggests that they were asked not to. Which begs the question, why TF can't they be told not to for all the other dances?? #SCD #SCD2024 #Strictly."