Wicked star Cynthia Erivo joined the Strictly Come Dancing judges’ bench on Saturday night (October 11).
But with the actress seemingly “banned” from scoring the couples, fans of the BBC dance show admitted they were baffled over why Cynthia actually appeared.
However, ex-Strictly pro Ola Jordan reckons she knows why Cynthia was there. And Ola thinks it could indicate a huge judging panel shake-up might just be on the cards.
Strictly bosses ‘spice up the panel’ with Cynthia
Complaints quickly poured in as the show kicked off and viewers realised Cynthia was sat with the judges but wasn’t actually a judge.
“Funny that they’ve banned Cynthia from scoring,” said one viewer. Another added: “Someone give Cynthia a paddle……it’s all a bit awkward.” A third commented: “What is the point of Cynthia being at the judges desk if she isn’t scoring? She could’ve been in the audience.”
Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Daily on behalf of Mecca Bingo, Ola said she thinks Cynthia’s inclusion alongside the judges on Saturday night was the show’s producers “trying her out for a future judging role or testing the idea of a fifth judge”.
She shared: “Maybe that was the producers’ way of spicing up the panel a bit. They might feel it needs something new or different. Maybe they’re trying her out for a future judging role or testing the idea of a fifth judge. There must be a reason, but it definitely looked like they were experimenting.”
Strictly scoring row as Ola delivers her verdict
Elsewhere, Ola also waded into the scoring row from the weekend. Shirley Ballas was blasted for her comments to Balvinder Sopal. Motsi Mabuse gave Lewis Cope a 10 – but was it deserved? And Vicky Pattison was left looking “upset” over her critique from the judges.
Ola reckons Shirley’s comments about Balvinder “maybe” influenced the way people were voting. “Obviously, people listen to what the judges say, and some might have reacted to Shirley’s comments by not voting. I wasn’t shocked, though. I find their routines a bit boring; there’s not much excitement or spark. They need to create that wow factor now, or they’ll just fade away,” she warned.
Ola doesn’t think Lewis “deserved” his 10, but added: “If Motsi genuinely thought it was a 10, then fair enough. Despite his dance experience, I still believe you should be honest – if someone gives a 10-worthy performance, even early in the series, it should be rewarded. You can’t hold back just because it’s Week 1 or something.”
Vicky ‘can go far’
The ex-Strictly pro only had praise when speaking about Vicky. She told us the star is “definitely” tough enough to go a lot further in the competition.
Speaking about her upset on Saturday night, Ola added: “But when you’ve worked so hard all week and then you don’t get good scores or nice comments, of course, you’re disappointed – that’s just human. She’s strong enough to keep going, though. She’s got a great partner in Kai [Widdrington]. And I hope she sticks with it and works hard. She can go far.”
Strictly returns on Saturday (October 18) at 6.30pm on BBC One.
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