Strictly Come Dancing fans were left confused by an announcement made on tonight’s programme (October 18)

View 3 Images

The announcement came at the start of Saturday night’s show (October 18)(Image: BBC)

This evening, Strictly Come Dancing took a breather from the themed weeks following last Saturday’s action-packed Movie Week, but viewers were left disappointed at the beginning of tonight’s live show when it was revealed Halloween Week would not fall in October.

At the programme’s opening, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly declared that “nobody wants to leave” with the show’s Icon Special next week. Fans were left puzzled as they had been eagerly anticipating the traditional Halloween Week next week.

Flocking to X, previously Twitter, one viewer wrote: “If they’re doing Icons week next week then when is Halloween? #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing,” whilst another posted: “Is there no Halloween #strictly this year? The following Saturday is 1 November.”

“So if its Idol week next week Is Halloween Week on the 1st?” queried another, whilst a fourth responded: “The 1st Nov 🙂 it seems like they’ve swapped the weeks as I’m sure the original plan indicated it was the other way round.”

View 3 Images

Halloween week is much-loved by series fans(Image: BBC)

A timetable has been circulating online that had Icons Week positioned on November 1, whilst Halloween Week was scheduled for October 25, reports the Mirror. However, the BBC confirmed that Icons Week had always been in the diary for October 25.

This week witnessed the comeback of Stefan Dennis and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell as the pair were compelled to miss last week’s live show a day beforehand, due to Stefan feeling poorly.

Taking to their official Instagram account last Friday, the programme revealed: “Due to illness over the past few days, Stefan Dennis has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, he will not dance this weekend.

View 3 Images

This year’s Halloween Week show is now expected to air in November(Image: BBC)

“In lines with the rules of Strictly, Stefan and Dianne will receive a bye through to next week when they will hopefully be able to dance again.”

Responding to the announcement, Stefan’s dance partner Dianne Buswell, who is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg, wrote: “Sending all my Aussie love steffo. I know how much you wanted to dance!”

The performer had been struck down by vertigo but following prompt medical care and a week’s recuperation, he has returned and is prepared to wow the panel with his Charleston routine.

When questioned by presenter Fleur East about what caused his withdrawal, he explained: “I had a little bit of a turn, a little bit of an episode of vertigo. It was all ok made myself alright again with the help of some good people at the hospital. I’ve got to say to everybody out there, thank you for all the lovely well wishes.”