Emma Willis Apologises for Strictly Score Mix-Up

Strictly Come Dancing host Emma Willis has issued a public apology after a live scoring error during Saturday’s show. Viewers spotted the mistake when Lacey Turner and her partner Vito were awarded an incorrect score for their Tango performance, due to a mix-up with judge Shirley Ballas’s verdict ^[1].

The error sparked immediate backlash online, with eagle-eyed fans quickly pointing out the discrepancy on social media. The correction was made live on air, but not before fans expressed frustration over the confusion ^[2].

Lacey Turner, best known for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, is one of the celebrity contestants this season. She joined the show expressing excitement and nerves, calling it a long-awaited dream to step onto the ballroom floor after years of watching the series with her family ^[3].

Other contestants include Britain’s most successful Paralympian, Olympic skeleton racer, and Neighbours alum Nina Tucker, who has released eight music albums and is a seasoned performer across stage and screen ^[2]. The cast also features Love Island 2025 winner and TikTok influencer, House of the Dragon star Lady Baela Targaryen, and comedian Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall, known for hosting Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly on Channel 5 ^[3].

The incident has reignited debate over live TV production accuracy, with fans questioning how such a fundamental error could occur during a high-profile broadcast. While no official explanation has been given, the show’s producers have acknowledged the mistake in internal communications ^[1].

What happens next remains to be seen. The next episode is scheduled for Saturday, with all scores expected to be double-checked before airing. The story was first reported by The Sun and Daily Mail Showbiz.