Strictly Come Dancing fans are outraged and are hurling accusations of ‘unfair’ scoring at the judges.

The BBC dance extravaganza returned on Saturday, with six hopeful couples taking to the floor, all vying for a spot on next week’s show. Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe delivered a sultry Rumba to I’m Here from The Color Purple, while Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola charmed with a Charleston to Popular from Wicked.

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec brought intensity with an Argentinian tango to ex-wives from SIX, and Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell quickly ran through You’re The Top from Anything Goes. JB Gill and Lauren Oakley waltzed to Let’s Go Fly A Kite from Mary Poppins, which Pete Wicks and Jowita Przysta glided through a waltz to Somewhere from West Side Story.

However, the scoring did not sit well with viewers, who were quick to express their anger on social media platforms.

“Craig doesn’t want to overlook JB’s thumb but Pete can fail the whole dance and that’s fine! #Strictly,” one fan fumbled on X, while another remarked: “Feel Chris and Dianne underlined there. Better than his paso double but 3 marks less.”

A third chimed in: “Judges undermark Chris and Dianne again #Strictly”, and a fourth lamented: “Should have been 40…again. Always undermarking Sarah! #Strictly.”

A fifth insisted: “Three judges scored Pete the same as Craig scored Chris. Score Chris higher.”

Speculation is rife among viewers that Montell or Chris could be next for the chop, with one fan expressing online: “Chris and Montell undercut, I wouldn’t be surprised if Montell is in the dance again, feel so bad for her, Pete should get voted off now #strict.”

Another echoed the sentiment with: “Time for Pete to leave but it will probably be Montell #Strictly.”

This follows Jamie Borthwicks unexpected departure from the ballroom floor on EastEnders.

His exit left fans heartbroken, and his professional partner Michelle was emotional as she said: “I just want to say that Jamie is an amazing dancer, and he’s improved so much week on week. He’s worked so hard to get where he is .”

*Strictly Come Dancing broadcast on Sunday evening BBC One and BBC iPlayer.