Strictly Come Dancing viewers have been left furious after the dances and songs for this week’s live show were released.

Following Ross King and Jowita Pryzstal’s exit, after Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden, 13 celebrities are taking to the dancefloor.

Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis is due to return after dropping out on Saturday due to illness, with his professional partner Dianne Buswell, alongside celebrities including Vicky Pattison, George Clarke, Lewis Cope, Ellie Goldstein and Balvinder Sopal.

However, fans are now claiming he’s been “set up to fail”, after being livid at the news he’ll be dancing Dance Monkey by Tone & I.

Strictly Come Dancing stars Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell

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Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell are returning to Strictly Come Dancing this weekend (Image: BBC)

 

Stefan and reigning champion Dianne – who is making history as the first dancer to perform on Strictly while pregnant – will be taking to the floor with a Charleston.

“WHY STRICTLY GODS WHY!!!” one livid fan wrote. They added: “Just seen Stefan and Dianne are doing a dance to Dance Monkey. Has there ever been a more ‘these lot are out next’ then that. Also haven’t we as the audience suffered enough, with 2 weeks of Couples Choices to K Pop Demon Hunters’ songs and seeing Tom Skinner in that shiny vest.”

“The song choices this year are woeful,” another replied, as someone else wrote: “oh dear.”

Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell

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Stefan and Dianne were forced to miss out last week (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)

One person echoed: “I’m absolutely dreading hearing that song on Saturday.”

Another fan fumed: “WTF IS STRICTLY DOING TO STEFAN & DIANNE, SERIOUSLY A CHARLESTON WTF.”

Someone else pondered: “what’s interesting to me is the already experienced dancers like Lewis and Amber are getting the best songs and themes. compared to a lot of the other celebs. not really fair to me.”

Despite the concern from fans, Stefan revealed this week that he was feeling positive about the upcoming routine.

Dianne Buswell and Stefan Dennis

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Fans have been left furious after learning this week’s song choices and dances (Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

“It’s funny because, as I was saying to Dianne today, I said for the first time, I’m actually starting to feel really confident about doing the dance and actually wanting to do it because up until now, being a complete non-dancer, I’ve had fear,” he said on The One Show.

“I’ve had fear of every single dance even though, you know, sometimes I’ve got a little bit right.”

Dianne went on to say that rehearsals for this week’s show were going “really good”.

Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell

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Viewers are concerned Stefan will be the next celebrity voted out (Image: PA)

“A little rocky Monday, but you know, as it goes on, he learns more and more about the dance and I think it’s going to be a good dance for us,” she added.

This comes after fans were left delighted that Stefan would be returning to the show this week after recovering from his illness.

The Paul Robinson actor missed out on Saturday’s show, with a BBC statement reading: “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.

The cast of Strictly Come Dancing competition of 2025

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The cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)

“In line 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.”

Stefan added on social media: “A huge cheers and thanks to everyone who has been supporting myself and Dianne.

“So sorry to disappoint for tomorrow night but I expect to be back on deck with a full recovery and a rip roaring dance next week to make up.”