STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have spotted a format shake-up after Amanda Abbington's shock exit – and it's dividing opinion.
The actress, 49, surprised everyone when she suddenly withdrew from the show in week six.
Rather than remedy her absence by giving all the other couples a bye to the next week, the results show went ahead as usual.
It means there is currently one less couple on the show than usual at this stage of the competition.
As a result the final is shaping up to be a three couple affair rather than the usual four, something which has been raised in a fan forum.
One viewer asked: "Are we having only 3 couples at finale?"
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Another replied: "It looks that way yes."
It prompted a third to say: "I think it's such a shame and wish they wouldn't do it this way I don't see why they can't think of another way to do the Sunday show for the scheduling. Perhaps with some more behind the scenes insights."
However, others are keeping an open mind and believe bosses were left with little choice.
One asked: "I like to be open to new ideas on how things are done, but what ideas would you have for the show if you were a producer or whatever?"
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Amanda missed week six due to medical reasons before announcing her departure two days later.
Early in her tenure on the show she had a fractious relationship with dance partner Giovanni Pernice, but they performed very well on the dance floor and it appeared as if they had sorted their differences.
However, the shock exit, just as they were emerging as dark horses for the glitterball, put the spotlight back on their relationship and neither has mentioned the other since.
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