Some viewers had a difference of opinion about a celebrity’s final score

STRICTLY Come Dancing came under fire as fans accused judge Anton Du Beke of over-scoring one of the stars.

Saturday’s first live show saw Arsenal legend Paul Merson perform an American Smooth with pro partner Karen Hauer.

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Strictly Come Dancing viewers disagreed with some of Anton Du Beke’s scoringCredit: BBC

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Saturday’s show saw Paul Merson perform an American Smooth with Karen HauerCredit: PA

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The pair received a score of 17 – but some fans watching at home weren’t happy
Having scored 17 , some viewers believed the judges – particularly Anton – had over-marked the star’s efforts.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one vented: “6?! Anton Du Beke scored Paul Merson more than Sam Quek?! What a joke!!”

Another added: “A 6 for Paul? Are you taking the p**s?”

A third chimed in: “Shirley & Anton giving Paul 5’s and 6’s”.

While a fourth remarked: “Anton scoring Paul Merson higher than Sam Quek is just absolutely ridiculous.”

After performing the Foxtrot, Sam received 6’s from three judges and a 5 from Anton.

Whereas Paul received a 6 from Anton – and 2, 4 and 5 respectively from the remaining panelists.

Prior to revealing his score, Anton showered praise on Paul’s dance in his feedback.

He said: “I’ve done many numbers like this over the years.

“If I was still dancing on the show, I’d be dancing with you. This would be the partnership and this is the number we would do.

“We’re the same person. It’s a magnificent number.”

He added: “I was delighted. Didn’t have to sub him off, came down the stairs unaided. I loved it!

“You were terrific, well done.”

Meanwhile, other stars also had their scores scrutinised by fans on social media.

GoCompare ad star Wynne Evans danced a salsa to Help Yourself by Tom Jones in honour of his Welsh heritage.

The fun comedy routine saw him turned into an all-singing, all-dancing chef, with Wynne later ripping off his kitchen whites to reveal a glittery shirt.

Strictly 2024 Week One Scoreboard

Here’s how the first week scoreboard looked:

JB and Amy = 31

Tasha and Aljaz = 30

Sarah and Vito = 30

Wynne and Katya = 26

Montell and Johannes = 26

Shayne and Nancy = 23

Jamie and Michelle = 23

Chris and Dianne = 23

Sam and Nikita = 21

Dr Punam and Gorka = 19

Tom and Nadiya = 18

Nick and Luba = 18

Pete and Jowita = 17

Paul and Karen = 17

Toyah and Neil = 12

Alongside pro partner Katya Jones, the pair received an impressive score of 26/40 – although some viewers were left irritated by this.

One wrote on X: “Wynne was overmarked he wasn’t better than Sam or Shane. Shane and Pete undermarked.”

Another remarked: “Wynne was way overmarked. Just stop.”

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Some fans questioned Anton’s scoring of Paul and Sam QuekCredit: PA