BBC Strictly star accuses judges being 'prepared' and making decisions ahead of live show

Giovanni Pernice on returning to Strictly

Strictly Come Dancing legend Darren Gough has dropped a bombshell about the judges' decision-making process.

The previous winner suggested they have an inkling of who will face the chop before the live shows even begin.

Darren who lifted the glitterball trophy in 2002, outdancing Zoe Ball and Colin Jackson, has now weighed in on the 2024 hopefuls.

He hinted that the judges form opinions on who might be dancing their final routine based on the celebrities' last rehearsals.

Darren divulged details about the BBC show’s crucial 2pm rehearsal and stated: “I believe that's where the judges get a lot of their information from because they have to prepare as well.

Darren Gough won Strictly in 2005 (Image: BBC)

“They have to have some idea of what they're going to do.”

Darren elaborated: “I believe they watch that live rehearsal. Well, they're there. They're watching that live rehearsal and they get their little bits from there.

“Then, unless a disaster happens, in the evening, right, they get a lot of their info from that live rehearsal at 2pm on the Saturday," as reported by Online Betting Guide, OLBG.

While the current series has seen varying performances from the celebs, one contestant consistently wowing both judges and viewers is comedian Chris McCausland.

Strictly judges have been accused of basing decisions on rehearsals (Image: BBC)

At 47, and as the show's first blind contestant, the Liverpudlian is tipped for the final.

Yet, Darren has sounded a note of caution, advising Chris to steer clear of the bottom two this weekend (October 26).

He remarked: “Chris has to stay out of that bottom two because if he gets in there, I think he goes, although it's remarkable what he's doing. I actually think I had a tear in my eye.

“It's amazing to do what he's doing, it's an absolute inspiration to everybody watching.

Darren added: “He deserves the biggest round of applause. Saying that, his dancing is getting better every week...[but] Can he keep that up when everybody else steps up as well?”