Strictly fans slam ‘car crash’ launch show twist as celebrity and pro partner pairings are finally revealed

STRICTLY Come Dancing viewers hit out at a ‘car crash’ twist on the launch show – as the new pairings are finally revealed. The class of 2026 made their ballroom debuts on Saturday’s kick-off instalment – along with the new hosts. Strictly viewers hit out at a twist introduced in the launch show Credit: BBC Celebrities and professionals discovered their partners during the launch showCredit: BBC Usually, celebrities and professionals discover their partner ahead of the launch show. Everyone discovered their pairings this time during specially choreographed routines. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! The celebrity line-up was split into groups of five and partnerships were confirmed on the dance floor. Not all viewers were impressed, as they shared their opinions on social media. They all took part in specially choreographed routines which revealed the pairingsCredit: BBC This included returnee Dani Dyer being reunited with Nikita Kuzmin Credit: bbc One person wrote on X: “Yes, as much as I’d like to watch musical chairs on a Saturday evening, I think I’d rather watch eggs boil #Strictly.” Another penned: “wtf is this Change Partners s***e? #strictly.” A third commented: “Nah this is just like the 5 chair challenge from XFactor, purely for ‘entertainment value’ when the outcomes have been decided long before…#strictly.” A fourth remarked: “Shirley is as confused as us.” Most read in TV A fifth chimed in: “They might have well have done the couple reveal the old way – as it’s all been decided beforehand anyway.” A sixth shared: “What the f**k is this? Strictly Come ‘Square’ Dancing?Turned in to a Barn Dance…” Ahead of the twist playing out, a seventh predicted: “This is either going to be either brilliant or car crash.” Comment now