Head judge Shirley Ballas no longer automatically has the final say in every Strictly dance-off. Since September 2025, the casting-vote responsibility has rotated among the four judges. Anton Du Beke held it on 25 October 2026. Shirley favoured former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, but the other three judges chose actor Jaime Winstone.
Which episode?
BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing, series 24, Week Five results show, scheduled for Sunday 25 October at 7:10pm GMT. Celebrities perform ballroom and Latin routines with professional partners. On Saturday, Shaun and Alexis Warr scored 17 for their jive, while Jaime and Carlos Gu scored 25 for their foxtrot. Combined judges' rankings and audience votes sent both into the dance-off, where they repeated their routines.
How did the judges vote?
Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse chose Jaime and Carlos. Shirley chose Shaun and Alexis. Anton, designated to hold the casting vote that week, also backed Jaime. The recorded outcome was 3–1 for Jaime. Shirley's vote counted normally; she was in the minority.
Why wasn't the head judge decisive?
Previously, Shirley carried the tie-breaking responsibility. A change announced at the start of the 2025 series shared that duty among the four judges on a weekly rotation. Her job title stayed the same. The phrase 'casting vote' can be misleading here: there was no recorded 2–2 tie. The first three votes stood at 2–1, then Anton made it 3–1. He did not overturn an earlier binding ruling by Shirley.
Why the confusion?
Jaime's higher Saturday score did not keep her out of danger because viewers' votes also contribute to the ranking. Exact public totals are not disclosed. In a 25 October Reddit discussion, individual viewers questioned Shirley's preference and Jaime's appearance in the bottom two. That does not establish a nationwide consensus. This account relies on broadcast listings and contemporary reports, not a claimed viewing of the entire episode.
Bottom line
Shirley remained head judge; Anton held that week's final-vote responsibility. Three judges saved Jaime and Shaun left. The apparent contradiction comes from the 2025 rule change, not a personal feud.
