Cell Block Tango Edit Sparks Strictly Backlash
Strictly Come Dancing viewers took to social media on Sunday night to express frustration over the show’s latest professional routine. During the results show, the dancers performed to “Cell Block Tango” from the musical Chicago, but fans quickly noticed that several original lyrics had been rewritten to make the performance more family-friendly.
The altered lyrics sparked a wave of criticism online, with many calling the changes “ridiculous” and claiming they “ruined” the number. Viewers argued that the edited version undermined the musical’s dark humour and iconic storytelling. Some fans who had performed in Chicago themselves said they were “livid” at the BBC’s decision to sanitise the song.
Despite the backlash, the results show delivered another emotional exit, as actor Lewis Cope, 30, became the latest celebrity to leave the competition after losing the dance-off to Amber Davies. His departure narrows the field to four remaining semi-finalists: Karen Carney, Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke and Amber.
Musicals Week featured standout performances, including Amber and Nikita Kuzman’s energetic Charleston to Guys and Dolls and Balvinder Sopal’s highest-scoring Viennese Waltz to Never Enough from The Greatest Showman. But for many viewers, the main talking point remained the rewritten Chicago number, which they felt strayed too far from the original.
