Strictly viewers in uproar over 'inconsistent scoring' and say Dame Sarah Storey was 'sabotaged' - as it's revealed judging panel could follow Claudia and Tess and quit the show

Strictly Come Dancing viewers have claimed the latest star to be sent home Dame Sarah Storey, was 'sabotaged' with the combination of her song and dance choice.

The Paralympian, 48, finished bottom of the leaderboard in a week where fans had claimed that the judging panel's scores were 'inconsistent', as it was revealed that their contracts are up for renewal and bosses are 'terrified'.

Sarah's poor score put her at risk of elimination and she landed in the bottom two with her partner Julian Caillon against Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu.

But it was Sarah's Tango that failed to impress the judges as she was the celebrity to be sent home during week four of the competition.

Viewers claimed that Sarah was at an unfair disadvantage because she was given a 'poppy' song choice – Shania Twain’s That Don’t Impress Me Much  – for her intense and dramatic routine style. 

Sharing their thoughts after her exit was announced: 'The right person won in that dance off, having said that, Sarah was definitely sabotaged by that stupid theme. Imagine dancing a tango to a jolly pop song. A tango is fierce full of passion, not a happy go lucky dance. The theme let her down'; 

'Sarah was another victim of the theme taking over the dance it was the wrong song and we have more themed weeks to come to claim more victims'; 'They did Sarah so dirty with that song for a Tango';

'I'm seeing SO many people on the Strictly socials saying they think Bethany and Nancy should have gone. And this is proof that they're unfairly hated. I do love Sarah but she was technically worse than Bethany and that was clear in the dance off';

'Dame Sarah out. A shame, but a diff week for her'; 'The 2nd week in a row that a couple have been doomed by a theme. Melanie & Aljaz last week now Sarah & Julian this week. I wish they would pay more attention to the songs and they've giving the celebs as opposed to inadvertently setting them up for a fall.'

On Saturday night, fans blasted the judges' 'crazy' scoring as they took aim at the 'mess' of a leaderboard.

The remaining couples took to the dancefloor for Icons Week, where they performed routines to songs by Elton John, Shania Twain, ABBA and Adele.

After giving it their all on the dancefloor, Cach and Maddie and Jaime and Carlos were joint top of the leaderboard with 34 points, while languishing at the bottom was Sarah and Julian with 21 points, followed by Dani and Nikita with 25.

The middle of the leaderboard saw more ties amid the closely contested week, with three celebrities scoring 29 points (Lacey, Tabby and John), while Graeme and Shaun bagged 28 points.

However, watching at home, viewers were far from impressed with Shirley, Craig, Anton and Motsi's erratic scoring, noting their marks were 'all over the shop' and heightening fears that there'll be a huge 'shock' for Sunday night's dance off. 

Sources close to the BBC show warn that bosses are terrified that the departure of hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will lead to the judges going too.

Their contracts finish at the end of this season – meaning it will be time for head judge Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke to renegotiate with the corporation.

Insiders suggest that Shirley may not return for what would be her 11th series, with speculation rife that she may relocate to the US to spend more time with her son Mark, a professional dancer on America's Dancing With The Stars, and his two children.

One source said: 'The one thing that the BBC knew would keep some continuity this year was that the judges would all be back. 

'They are under contract so that was a guarantee for the bosses and was definitely one less headache for them. But anything could happen. Any of them could walk away now and they will be free agents.

'The most likely is Shirley. She has done a decade now and she has grandchildren that she wants to see more of.

'The terms of their contracts will have to be renegotiated, and if the judges don't like what the BBC is offering maybe they won't return.

'It will all be very up in the air in December once this run is over.'

In 2023, the judges enraged BBC bosses when they demanded an 11 per cent pay rise on their salaries, which are thought to be between £200,000 and £300,000 for the three-and-a-half-month stint.

Chiefs were furious at the demands and refused. Instead, the judges took a raise of between 3 and 5 per cent. 

A show source said: 'If they want more money again, it's unlikely that will happen. 

'The BBC can't justify these salaries and now the viewing figures have tanked there's even less of a chance they will get more next time.' 

Ratings have dropped by around 1.5 million for this year's series, which features new presenting team Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.

While Emma is regarded as a 'top pro', Josh has been criticised for being 'wooden' while Johannes has struggled to get his timings right.