Strictly Come Dancing was plunged into controversy this weekend as viewers revolted against judge Motsi Mabuse's decision to award footballer Karen Carney a perfect ten.
Viewer Fury Erupts Online
The uproar began after Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu performed a Charleston routine on the BBC show. While the performance was energetic, a significant number of fans watching at home believed they spotted multiple technical errors that, in their view, made the dance unworthy of the top mark.
Social media platform X became the epicentre of the discontent. One user bluntly stated, "sure not a 10, the lifts were pretty ropey #strictly," capturing the sentiment of many. The criticism was not reserved for Mabuse alone, with another furious viewer exclaiming, "F**** OFF Motsi and Anton! #Strictly."
The disbelief was palpable, with a third comment questioning the judge's rationale: "What's with Motsi and that 10? #Strictly." Others were more direct in their assessment of the performance itself, with one fan declaring it "messy with lots of faults" and another labelling the decision to award a ten as "wild."
A Rising Star Amidst Controversy
Despite the current furore, Karen Carney has been one of the standout contestants in the current series. The Birmingham-born former footballer has consistently impressed the judges with her previous performances.
Just last week, she was near the top of the leaderboard after performing an Argentine tango to Red Right Hand, the theme from Peaky Blinders. That routine earned her a superb score of 38 points, including two tens from the panel.
Her journey on the show began with a historic Jive that shot her straight to the top of the leaderboard, securing an impressive 31 points. The judges were stunned at the time, saying they had never seen anything like it and that she performed a move like a 'top pro'.
The Aftermath of the Scoring Row
The discrepancy between the judge's score and the audience's perception has sparked a wider debate about fairness and scoring consistency on the popular programme. While Carney's talent is undeniable, this incident highlights the sometimes divisive nature of the judges' decisions.
For some fans, the scoring felt like unfair treatment, with many arguing that her previous performances actually deserved a perfect 40. The incident on Saturday night, however, has left a portion of the viewership questioning the judging standards, proving that in the world of Strictly Come Dancing, the drama isn't confined to the dance floor.
