BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans beg show to 'stop' minutes into live Halloween show

Strictly Come Dancing fans were less than thrilled minutes into the programme as they voiced their displeasure over the show's revamped format.

The beloved BBC contest made its comeback on our screens on Saturday (October 26), promising another edge-of-the-seat episode.

With the stakes getting higher, the remaining celebrities were all set to go head-to-head in hopes of remaining in the competition.

In a bid to impress during Halloween week, the pairs have gone the extra mile with their dance routines and costumes.

Reality TV personality Pete Wicks was seen embodying The Joker, with his dance partner Jowita Przysta taking on the role of Harley Quinn.

Jamie Borthwick of EastEnders fame and his professional dance partner Michelle Tsiakkas underwent a transformation into Wednesday and Pugsley Addams, adding to the theme.

Even the judges joined in on the Halloween festivities with Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke channelling the twins from The Shining, Motsi Mabuse donning a Cruella de Vil ensemble, and Shirley Ballas embracing the character of Winifred Sanderson from Hocus Pocus.

However, despite everyone putting in their best efforts, viewers at home didn't hesitate to lodge their complaints following the programme's opening sequence, swiftly taking to X, previously known as Twitter, to express their opinions.

A disgruntled viewer commented: "Can they please stop doing these stupid intros. They're beyond embarrassing for all involved #Strictly."

Viewers have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the show's format, with one exclaiming: "Please please please stop with Tess and Claudia just standing there."

Another shared their displeasure by commenting: "I still despise the opening to the show", while a fourth lamented: "Why do they have to do the acting stuff at the start now! It's so boring."

This comes as presenter Claudia Winkleman recently disclosed the devastating reason behind her aversion to Halloween costumes.

After her daughter Matilda suffered a horrific accident nearly a decade ago, the celebrity has been actively lobbying for more stringent safety standards for Halloween attire.

Matilda, who is now 18, was just eight when she got caught in a conflagration because of her witch costume catching fire from a candle.

Talking about the harrowing incident to the Daily Mail, Claudia recounted: "I don't like Halloween because a few years ago it turned out our screams were real.

"She 'went up' is the only way I can describe it it was a spark and she screamed out for me.

"It was like those horrific birthday candles that you blow out and they come back. It was really fast. It was definitely life-changing for me."

Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.