Strictly fans believe song choices let down Blackpool Week

"It should have been elegance and class and tradition but it fell very flat."

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola's Kylie Minogue number was lambasted on social media (BBC screenshot)
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola's Kylie Minogue number was lambasted on social media (BBC screenshot)

Strictly Come Dancing fans are out in force against the musical compositions this weekend.

Whilst the BBC One competition was being hosted by the Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Saturday, 16 November, X was flooded with complaints from the viewership.

Routines performed by Sarah Hadland and JB Gill in particular were blighted by weak song choices, apparently, as the Strictly live band covered tunes released by Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley.

Lauren Oakley and JB Gill quick-stepped to Rick Astley (BBC screenshot)
Lauren Oakley and JB Gill quick-stepped to Rick Astley (BBC screenshot)

Partnered with reigning Glitterball champion Vito Coppola, Miranda actress Hadland didn't let the prestigious occasion get to her during their Couple's Choice dance to Kylie's Padam Padam.

JLS singer JB and his pro Lauren Oakley, who stepped in for the injured Amy Dowden once again, nailed a Quickstep to 1987's juggernaut hit Never Gonna Give You Up, too, yet the Strictly band were perhaps in the spotlight more than usual thanks to Pet Shop Boys turning up earlier in the programme.

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Writing on X, one fan of the series raged: "I am willing to let a lot of things go but I will not stand for the mockery of this version of the fantastic Rick Astley's brilliant song WTF!"

"Rick Astley should sue the BBC for what the Strictly band just did to Never Gonna Give You Up," suggested another.

Pet Shop Boys opened Strictly's 2024 Blackpool Week (BBC screenshot)
Pet Shop Boys opened Strictly's 2024 Blackpool Week (BBC screenshot)

Award-winning pop duo Pet Shop Boys provided the medley soundtrack to Blackpool Week's opening professional dance number.

Decked in blinding disco jackets, band members Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe sailed through segments of their most popular tracks, including Always on My Mind, West End Girls and Go West.

What a way to start Strictly's most iconic episode.

Strictly Come Dancing's result show airs Sunday, 17 November on BBC One.