Strictly in voting storm after 'non' semi-final

Strictly in voting storm after 'non' semi-final (Image credit: PA Archive/PA Photos)

Nearly 200 viewers have complained to the BBC after Strictly Come Dancing bosses allowed all three couples in the semi-final to go through to the final. Judges on the show gave model Lisa Snowdon and singer Rachel Stevens and their partners maximum points, which meant that Holby City actor Tom Chambers (pictured) could not have been saved from the dance-off no matter how many public votes he received. In a statement released after the programme, the BBC said all votes cast this week would be carried over to next week's final. But some fans are unhappy. Roy Greenwood told the Daily Mirror: "I don't want my vote to roll over. I voted to save Lisa because she was clearly the best. Next week I could think Rachel is better." There were originally meant to be three couples in the final, but veteran broadcaster John Sergeant's decision to quit the show last month threw the elimination process out of kilter. It was initially decided to continue voting off one couple each week and have just two in the final, but the show has now reverted to its original plan. The statement from the BBC read: "Due to the unprecedented outcome of the judges' vote (there was a tie between the top two couples) the audience vote could not have saved one of our couples from the dance off. "The vote opened just before the programme went off air, we decided that all the votes cast tonight should be carried through to next week's final. All the votes cast tonight will be rolled over." The BBC said the vote had been 'independently verified'. Get exclusive access to your favourite stars. Subscribe to TV Times magazine