Strictly Come Dancing Vote: Major Changes Transform How Viewers Choose Their Favourites

8 December 2025 Reality Television

Introduction: A New Era for Strictly Voting

Strictly Come Dancing has introduced groundbreaking changes to its voting system in 2025, marking the most significant transformation in the BBC’s beloved dance competition format. All voting will be “online only” in 2025, the BBC has confirmed. This shift has sparked considerable debate among fans whilst modernising how millions of viewers participate in choosing their favourite dancing duos each week.

How the New Online-Only System Works

To vote, visit the Strictly page on the BBC website or scan the QR code, which will appear during episodes of Strictly (which will take you directly to the voting page). Viewers now need a BBC account to cast their votes, ensuring a streamlined digital experience. Once all the couples have performed on Saturday evening, the voting opens for approximately 25 minutes. The system allows each viewer five votes, which can be distributed across different couples or concentrated on a single favourite.

Revolutionary Changes to Judges’ Voting

Another major development affects how judges break ties in the dance-off. For 2025, the casting vote changes each week. All four of the judges will get a go and not just head judge Shirley Ballas. This rotation ensures fairness and adds unpredictability to results shows, as each judge brings their unique perspective to elimination decisions.

Impact and Controversy

Whilst the digital transformation aims to modernise the voting experience, it has raised concerns about accessibility. Age UK highlighted that elderly viewers without internet access may feel excluded from participating. The public vote is combined with the judges’ scores to determine who will face the dreaded dance-off on the Strictly results show on Sundays.

Conclusion: The Future of Audience Participation

These voting reforms represent Strictly Come Dancing’s commitment to evolution whilst maintaining its core appeal. The online-only system streamlines participation for digital-native audiences, though it challenges traditional viewers to adapt. As the series progresses towards its finale on 20th December 2025, these changes will continue shaping how Britain engages with its favourite Saturday night entertainment, potentially setting a precedent for other BBC programmes.