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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

BBC Strictly fans complain it's 'not fair' as they're distracted by 'bonkers' song choices

This weekend Strictly Come Dancing celebrated 100 years of the BBC with a themed programme. The show opened with an epic group number that saw the Strictly professionals and judges gatecrash some of the biggest BBC flagship shows.

Also, for the first time ever, the competing couples performed to either an iconic BBC theme tune or dance in tribute to one of the BBC’s most loved services. It promised to be an "unforgettable night of celebration and dance."

But eyebrows were raised as viewers watched at home, scratching their heads at the music choices. They said they were distracted from the dance contest as EastEnders actor James Bye took to the dancefloor with Amy Dowden to dance the foxtrot to the EastEnders theme tune, Julia's theme.

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@angrykilljoy1 tweeted: "Hands down, the worst music and themes ever on @bbcstrictly and we’re not even half way through. Absolutely ridiculous." @sema_malik_WL exclaimed: "This is actually bonkers! They're dancing a foxtrot... to the EASTENDERS THEME TUNE!"

@_erinz_ commented: "Apologies to James but idk if that was any good or not, I just couldn’t stop laughing that that was a song they just used for a dance." @AmyJoSays said: "I know it's the concept of this episode but I found the EastEnders theme tune too distracting to properly appreciate James and Amy's dance."

James and Amy danced to the EastEnders theme (BBC)

@heavenstobetsie said: "That was just odd." And @lliammatthewss complained about the theme: "God the music tonight is unbearable." But@GeekGirlManners defended: "I didn’t think he’d be able to dance to Eastenders without it looking off but it was, actually, beautiful. It was really good."

@katefutter said: "This is so weird, I love it!" @Allezsbangtan praised: "James and Amy! I liked ittttt! Eastenders never felt more beautiful." And @Foldingstars295 said: "Julia's theme is so beautiful."

Other performances included Ellie and Johannes Radebe dancing to the Casuality music and Line Of Duty actor Will Mellor dancing to the BBC police corruption drama theme song. Fans worked out what their problem with the theme might be.

@strictlyblog said: "I've only just realised that one reason I'm finding this show a bit strange is that most of the music is instrumental..." @kiramadeira said: "Sorry but I’m hating this week."

@Gemma42981517 commented: "Theme tunes are great but dancing to them, doesn’t feel or look right." and @sharonw1411 said: "Not feeling the music tonight."

Later as fan favourites Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer danced to Victoria Wood's classic The Ballad Of Barry and Freda (Let’s Do It) @OldScienceBird grumbled: "Trying to ruin the Ballad of Barry and Freda for me for life?! I had to turn the sound down and look away. Yuck!" But @LouisaBlock praised: "Whoever chose Victoria Wood's The Ballad Of Freda And Barry for #Strictly deserves a pay rise!"

Others complained that Fleur East and her partner Vito Coppolo got a 'proper' song with Abba's Waterloo in honour of Eurovision. @MRSSIXX5 blasted: "Fleur gets a proper song and everyone else gets dodgy theme tunes."

@FlopsyPickle asked: "Why did Fleur and Vito get to dance to a song from Eurovision and not the theme tune like everyone else has been stuck with? Doesn’t seem fair really #strictly." And @Sally33903769 said: "#Strictly Fleur probably my favourite so far but I think that's because I love a jive and she danced to an actual song."

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