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.

That could work. In Dance with the Stars when someone dropped out, they just didn't have an elimination that week. But to make the voting count, all the couples votes for the week in which there was no elimination were added to the votes for the following week. All fair and above board - a 3 couple final - everyone happy!!

[Wonder what Strictly would do if someone else had to drop out - it's not so difficult to imagine as accidents happen.... 1 couple final anyone!!]

In a one-person Final the two legs will be marked separately. The glitterball will be awarded to the winning leg. The losing leg will be called by Craig, "wooden, lazy, lifeless... etc."

Or they could award it to the celeb, and tell the pro he/she has come second!

LMAO!!

I wrote something very similar a short while back.

[quote]Viewing figures will decide the future.

I think they could cut the length of the show by one week and have a double elimination just before the final, with a 4-way dance-off. That might mean that another John Sergeant could end up in the bottom 4, and if one person dropped out, you switch it to a normal one-from-two dance-off.

I think 16 competitors was too many this year and they should switch back to twelve, but the BBC will probably want to milk as much as possible out of the show.

I think the fake Sunday show and the viewer voting are likely to stay too, because they cause more controversy and interest, and more viewers overall. [quote]

Hopefully someone among the producers is thinking the same way too.

Good idea.

If folks think that BBC are going to cut back on no. of contestants they are living in a dream world. SCD is huge success as a show & they are going to squeeze as much out of it as they can. Extending the show this year as led to increased viewing figures not less. Splitting the show across Saturday / Sunday has in particular meant BBC dominance of the Sunday schedule resulting in Heartbeat being moved. Who would ever have thought that anything could dent this show. The only reason there is a problem this year is down to the way that the judges behaved in relation to John - causing an over-reaction amongst the public. If they had just behaved sensibly then he would have gone sooner rather than later. Just get back to basics of this show & it will be alright.

^^^ I don't think anyone seriously thinks the BBC will actually cut down on the number of contestants. We just all wish they would because this series feels like it's been dragging on a bit.

I would also like to see the judges vote go for the last few weeks ( as X Factor will be from now on). With only a two couple final the judges can stack the scores and then vote in who they want in the final, not really fair. Let us choose from now on.

This thread had dropped down to page three! I think the OP has a good idea. Have you suggested it to the BBC? You could send them an email about it.