I hope nobody will be offended as we all need to do it every now and then but, I was just wondering, what would happen in the event of one of the judges needing to answer 'the call of nature' during a routine? Or having to temporarily leave the desk for any reason?

How would they reasonably be able to judge the routine?

I assume those dreadful VT's are designed to provide for such occurrences but anyone can get caught short...

Genuine reply - those judges are professionals. However, genuine their need of a call of nature, tough, they would just have to wait.

When judging a proper dance competition the judges will often have to stand in place for several hours without a break. As for large events there are usually 11 judges, imagine the chaos if they all decided to 'nip out' when the urge struck!

And, if it was something that could not be deferred ! so to speak, then surely they could carry on with the remaining 3 judges.

The more there are the easier it would be to 'take turns',,,


But how would Tess 'explain' why, for example, Craig will be ahem "sitting out this vote"?

depending on the judges concerned, some competitors may think thats a good thing, Kaycee

I must admit I do not miss my judging days, once judging the British Freestyle (not ballroom and latin) did over 14 hours on my feet with one break for lunch and 1 10 min break for loos and the winter garden floor hard on the feet basically you just cross your legs

My daughter asked me this once. I mentioned a bucket and the inern floor manager. Tough job!

Why do you think Bruno's perpetually flailing and twitching? Gotta dry out the soiled nethers somehow...

BiB: No it wouldn't because they all have to be in place all the time.

Ah yes, but that's another question

Indeed, and we all know a few of those.....

I can only remember one time where, at a convenient point in the comp ( general dancing, or change over from ballroom/latin) 1 judge left the venue due to severe sickness but luckily there was another qualified judge there that day , that stepped in to continue. This was just a normal Sunday circuit comp though.
Once they are booked to judge, as professionals, they stay to judge through thick and thin.

There are enough crap VTs for any amount of crap

barring sickness, most adults have achieved a reasonable level of bladder and bowel control... i hope...

Aside from Len, the other judges on the panel don't know how lucky they are!
Sitting down in a temperature regulated studio....unlike the real judges out there.
I remember dancing at a comp in Birmingham in the middle of winter and the heating had broken down. It was so cold in there, I don'r why ( I do really) that the event continued. We all wore our coats etc whilst waiting, but the poor judges kept on their boots, overcoats and hats to judge for hours on end! It was rather embarassing as there were a number of overseas competitors there, and lord knows what they thought sitting around in what felt like sub zero temps.

I was meaning if it was something a bit more than just a quick trip to the loo....if one of them was feeling unwell etc ...

oh been to a few like that when my brother was competing part of the fun don't ya know

Goodness, couldn't they have given you a dais to sit on, or high stools? It must be hard to keep your concentration up when you've been standing for that long.

No poll?

How odd...

No just not the done thing and you do get used to it - my brother did 12 hours yesterday and is shattered today

Way back in the day when I watched X-Factor, Cheryl could be clearly seen returning to her seat after the add break.
I'm almost sure I read somewhere that Simon would nip out for a fag during the adverts.

No ads on Strictly but plenty of vts.

I guess if one of the judges needed a quick comfort break ( as they call it on coach trips which always amuses me) they would just have to get Claudia to have an extra long chat to the last couple to dance and/or have an extra long VT ready to play. Then cut down on the judges opinions for the rest of the show.

But as has been said they are professionals and unless have a problem that day should manage to last the whole show, the longest show at the beginning of the series only lasts 2 hours.

Er . . . Incontinence pants?

More likely - control fluid intake before the show. No water for a good hour, etc.
And absolutely no coffee.

I think that's what the VTs are for.
But just as Strictly has rules for contestants getting out of a dance off or getting a bye into the next round, I'm sure they have rules for a judge being 'taken ill' in the middle of a performance (which a total inability to control the bladder or bowel until an appropriate moment would probably cover).
My guess is that the relevant judge would 'disappear' and the show would carry on, with the remaining dancers getting an averaged score from the remaining three judges to make up for the marks from the missing fourth judge.
This would be great news for them if Craig was absent, but not so good if Bruno was taken short.

Isn't this a long car journey sitauation type thing, you go before you go! Must be worse for the celebs and pros who get sewn into costumes and need wardrobe to erm release them!

I know someone who used to DJ and if nature called he'd put on an extra long song and nip out!

After giving their comments, they could go to the loo whilst Claudia is talking to the couple. She could drag it out until they got back.

But unless one of the judges is actually ill. I can't see it happening, it's hardly a long show is it?