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Simon Duke

Why was Strictly on Friday? BBC viewers 'thrown off' as show moved from Saturday slot

Before this week's show had even started, Strictly Come Dancing fans were complaining about the BBC moving from Saturday to an unusual Friday night slot, saying bosses had made the 'wrong decision.'

After a lot of speculation that this year's Strictly quarter final would be shunted from its usual slto Friday, the move was confirmed by host Tess Daly at the end of last week's results show. Standing next to co-host Claudia Winkleman, Tess said: "We will be back at 8 o'clock next Friday, yes you heard right, Friday," before she introduced Ellie and Johannes' goodbye performance.

Fans weren't too happy by the news, with one tweeting: "Can't believe that #WorldcupQatar2022 has pushed the #Strictly quarter final to Friday night." A second posted: "So the #Strictly results show cut short tonight because of footy match containing no home country - next week it’s on Friday instead of Saturday because of footy - now if only there was a BBC sport channel or even a BBC2 this footy could have been shown on."

READ MORE: When are Strictly results on this week? BBC move show for World Cup coverage

This week WAS Musicals Week on Strictly, with the remaining couples dancing to songs from shows such as Chicago, The Lion King and Fame,

Why was Strictly Come Dancing on Friday this week?

Strictly is airing a day earlier because of the BBC showing the knock out stage of this year's World Cup across the weekend. When the decision was made to move the live quarter final, it was still to be determined what day England would play their match of the last 16 should they have got through.

Had they not topped the group, England would have been playing on Saturday, but instead, having finished first, they are actually taking on Senegal on Sunday, with the match airing on ITV. On Saturday, the BBC are showing the knock out ties which will see Holland v USA and Argentina v Australia.

As well as the live show being moved to Friday, this week's Strictly results show will now air on Saturday at 5.40pm. And the BBC's decision continue to be criticised as the clock ticked down to Friday's programme. One complained: "strictly being on a friday feels so strange! let’s hope the world cup is never on in the winter ever again."

Another tweeted: "Dunno why they put #Strictly on a Friday night this week, why can't they put it on BBC Two instead or something?" with a third reacting: "I understand the change is for the football but #strictly on a Friday feels incredibly wrong. My brain is going to spend all of tomorrow thinking it’s Sunday."

Who do you want to win Strictly? Let us know in our poll below:

READ NEXT:

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*Johannes Radebe 'the start' of Strictly quarter final after emotional exit

*Oti Mabuse back on Strictly in new role as fans delighted

*Helen Skelton championed over 'honest' reason for doing Strictly

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