I've posted this before in a couple of threads but thought I'd make it a new thread, so that maybe TPTB would see it and take note for next year.
It's a simple enough solution. All that needs to happen is to have one more couple than there are weeks in the series and then plan for a double elimination near the end, at the semi-final or quarter-final stage, when the bottom two are automatically eliminated with no dance-off. Cue high drama, massive ratings, huge phones votes and all the things that the BBC loves.
If someone drops out at any stage and for any reason, then the season just reverts to normal with a single elimination each week. The only time this doesn't work is when more than one couple pulls out per series, but that would be quite a rare occurrence.
It's a simple enough solution. All that needs to happen is to have one more couple than there are weeks in the series and then plan for a double elimination near the end, at the semi-final or quarter-final stage, when the bottom two are automatically eliminated with no dance-off. Cue high drama, massive ratings, huge phones votes and all the things that the BBC loves.
If someone drops out at any stage and for any reason, then the season just reverts to normal with a single elimination each week. The only time this doesn't work is when more than one couple pulls out per series, but that would be quite a rare occurrence.