‘Strictly Come Dancing’: Brendan Cole Admits Judges Scores Are 'Interesting', As He Defends Fix Claims

Brendan Cole has jumped to the defence of the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judges, following criticism over the scores they gave this year’s celebrities over the weekend.

The competition is getting serious now, and many viewers took to Twitter on Saturday to critique the judges, with a number claiming that Claudia Fragapane deserved better marks for her Argentine Tango.

‘Strictly’ veteran Brendan has now disputed claims that Len Goodman and co are “fixing” the competition - though he does agree that their scores are a little odd sometimes.

“With certain things I’m thinking, ‘How can you give a 10 to something that is either mistaken or not the correct way to do it or it’s a bit awkward looking?’” he writes in his Digital Spy column. “It just doesn’t make sense to me.

“And likewise, how can you not give something a 10 when it was pretty much perfect given the situation? It’s an odd one!”

Claudia found herself trending on Twitter on Saturday (26 November), after her impressive routine, but while viewers were dismayed by the fact she didn’t receive a single 10 from the judges, Brendan agrees with their comments.  

“Some of the things that were picked up on by the judges I actually agreed with for the first time in a while!” he writes. “I feel a bit like I’ve seen the routine before, but I think AJ danced it very well and Claudia danced it very well.

“The production was pretty full-on, too – they got it spot on there.”

Sunday’s results show saw the departure of Ed Balls, whose star turn on the show is something we won’t be forgetting for a long time.

His renewed popularity has also led to calls for him to stand as an MP again, with commentators including Piers Morgan sensing that a political comeback might be on the horizon.