Strictly fans disappointed after noticing crucial Halloween week tradition is missing
Saturday night’s show aired without fan-favourite detail
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.If you’re an eagle-eyed Strictly Come Dancing fan, then you may have noticed that this year’s Halloween Week was without one major tradition.
Every year when the show gets a spooky makeover, the judges’ circular paddles are swapped out for ghost-shaped paddles instead – but this year it didn’t happen.
“Where are the special Halloween ghost paddles, Strictly?” asked one disappointed fan on X/Twitter during Saturday night’s show, as another chimed, “Where are the ghost-shaped scoring paddles?!”
While the mysterious whereabouts of the ghost paddles remain unknown at the time of writing, other elements of the show still felt familiar as the contestants delivered on all of the Halloween Week Strictly classics, including tributes to The Addams Family, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Frankenstein.
The judges also delivered on the costume front. Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke shocked viewers when they arrived onstage looking unrecognisable – and frightening – as the Grady sisters from Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.
The pair walked onto the dancefloor hand-in-hand wearing identical brunette wigs, matching blue dresses and black dolly shoes. Fans were left shocked by the judges’ choice of costume, since the pair creepily stayed in character throughout the show’s opening segment.
They kept the joke going as Revel Horwood referred to his fellow judge as his “sister” throughout the show, while Du Beke remarked that he had never looked so good.
“Craig and Anton as the twins from The Shining have just made my year!” wrote one fan online.
Meanwhile, professional dancer Carlos Gu stole the show when he dressed up as host Claudia Winkleman, sporting the presenter’s signature hairdo and all-black outfit, consisting of a dramatic black blazer and matching lace skirt.
In the ‘Clauditorium’ – the dedicated interview area where Winkleman speaks to the couples after their routines – Gu stood beside the presenter as he imitated her facial expressions and mannerisms.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Strictly fans agreed online that it was one of the best Halloween costume ideas of the series.
“How do I vote for Carlos and Claudia?” said one viewer on X/Twitter, as another added: “Carlos dressed as Claudia. He has won Halloween 2024”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments