Strictly Come Dancing Vote: Understanding the New 2025 System
Introduction: The Evolution of Strictly Voting
Strictly Come Dancing has long captivated British audiences with its glitz, glamour, and fierce competition. But behind the sequins and show dances lies a sophisticated voting system that determines which celebrities stay and which ones waltz out of the ballroom. In 2025, the BBC introduced significant changes to how viewers can influence the competition, marking a pivotal moment in the show’s 21-year history. Understanding how the Strictly Come Dancing vote works has become more important than ever for fans wanting their voices heard.
Major Changes to the 2025 Voting System
All voting is now “online only” in 2025, the BBC has confirmed, eliminating the traditional premium-rate phone voting that had been a staple of the show. The system was deemed outdated and expensive to run, with the overwhelming majority of votes for the last Strictly series cast online. To vote, viewers can visit the Strictly page on the BBC website or scan the QR code which appears during episodes.
Voters are now given a maximum of five votes to use, which is two more than the typical three. This increase compensates for the removal of phone voting options and ensures viewers still have multiple opportunities to support their favourite couples throughout the competition.
How the Scoring System Works
The Strictly Come Dancing vote combines two crucial elements: judges’ scores and public votes. Couples are awarded points depending on where they place on the leaderboard following the judges’ votes, with the top-placed pair receiving points equal to the number of couples competing. Couples are also ranked on a leaderboard following the public vote, with points issued depending on their placement, before the points from both scores are added together.
The elimination is decided by a dance-off, with only the bottom-two couples facing this challenge based on the combination of judges’ scores and public vote. In 2025, another major change sees the deciding vote shared among judges, with a different judge casting the deciding vote each week, rather than head judge Shirley Ballas having the final say.
Conclusion: Why Your Vote Matters
The transformation of Strictly Come Dancing’s voting system reflects broader changes in how audiences engage with television entertainment. The shift to online-only voting may pose challenges for some viewers, but it streamlines the process and reflects modern viewing habits. No couple is guaranteed to be safe on judges’ votes alone, and viewers’ votes can always influence the outcome. Whether you’re supporting a social media star with millions of followers or championing an underdog, your participation in the Strictly Come Dancing vote directly impacts who lifts the coveted Glitterball Trophy. As the show continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: the power lies with the viewers to crown their champion.