How on earth does this work? Have they always used this, I only realised it tonight when Christine mentioned it.

They have always done it this way.

for example

With five left, the person with the highest score from the judges gets 5, second highest 4 points and so on so say

Matt 5
Gareth 4
Beth 3
Luke 2
Samia 1

Then the public vote for their favourite and the person with the highest votes scores 5, second highest 4 and so on so say.

Beth 5
Gareth 4
Matt 3
Luke 2
Samia 1

Beth - 3+5-8
Gareth - 4+4=8
Matt - 5+3 =8
Luke - 2+2=4
Samia - 1+1 =2

Samia and Luke have the lowest and in the event of a tie in points, the person with the lower points from the public would be in the bottom 2 etc.

Hope that helps.

Read this thread Tom - we're discussing how a person can top the leaderboard and still end up in the skate off

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1800633

Thanks guys, I cant believe I've been watching for 4 series and I've only just realised this