Strictly fans fume as show winner 'leaked' ahead of contestant's perfect score

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left fuming after claims about this year's winner began circulating online. The BBC show usually relies on secrecy to maintain the drama of the competition.

However, this year, viewers say they are becoming increasingly nervous about searching online for news after Lewis Cope scored the first perfect score of the season on Saturday. One viewer shared a screenshot showing a prediction that former England footballer and sports pundit Kate Carney had reached the final, despite the series being only halfway through. "Trying to find out which footballer has gone the furthest into the show, and Google's AI dropped this bombshell," said the viewer.

Other fans reported similar experiences, with the AI providing completely inaccurate results. One said: "Lol! I was looking up Jimmy's wife, and Google's AI confidently told me it was Lauren."

Another added: "Just goes to show how AI can misinterpret information and get it completely wrong."

The AI confusion comes just days after the results of Icons Week were leaked hours early. As in previous seasons, the Sunday night results show, although presented as live, is actually filmed on Saturday immediately after the main show - a cost-saving measure that has long led to early leaks.

This is not the only concern plaguing the show, as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their plans to step down from hosting Strictly Come Dancing after they made primetime television's first female presenting duo when they paired up to co-host the show in 2014.

Despite this, the glamorous duo put on a united front this evening. Tess, 56, looked sensational in an off-the-shoulder black number, and she let her blonde hair flow free for the evening. Celebrity Traitors host Claudia, 53, wore a similar black dress, complete with sleeves. Both wore poppies in honour of Remembrance Day.

The judges' appearances prompted a variety of responses from viewers of the show, leading to numerous discussions on social media. One viewer remarked: "I didn't recognise the judges in their costumes. How come Tess and Claudia aren't dressed up?"

Another comment on Tess's dress noted: "That's a nice dress if she didn't have an old bit of material swinging off the back of it." Conversely, another user expressed appreciation, stating: "Tess and Claudia in matching black velvet, I'm obsessed."

Claudia recently shared that her daughter, Matilda, experienced an incident at the age of eight when her Halloween costume caught fire after brushing against a candle. Matilda was wearing a witch costume while at a neighbour's house during trick-or-treating.

The incident resulted in several severe burns, which Claudia described as a "life-changing" moment for the family. Since then, Claudia and Tess have not worn costumes on the show.