Viewers raged that Alesha was the only judge who failed to applaud the arrival of the former ballerina on Saturday’s show – while some questioned the purpose of having a fifth judge at all.
One fan fumed on a Strictly internet forum: “Alesha looked like a spoilt child. She didn’t clap, she put a face on, oh dear, she was so shown up.”
Another wrote: “I really could not believe that Alesha didn’t clap when all the other judges did. She was clearly put out by Darcey being there.”
And one viewer hit out: “It was obvious Alesha was intimidated by Darcey.
“She didn’t make any eye contact with Darcey or acknowledge her when Bruce was speaking about her.”
Meanwhile, Darcey, 40, got a mixed response for her judging debut. Some fans appreciated her technical advice, but others said she was boring and unenthusiastic. One stormed: “She was cold, unoriginal, a spare part really.”
Another added: “I was disappointed in Darcey, I had such high hopes for her too.
“Not only was she boring, she seemed bored herself – quite indifferent to it all.”
She also seemed to confuse head judge Len Goodman with fellow panellist Craig Revel Horwood and was seen looking at Craig when Brucie joked about Len wearing a tutu in her honour.
Viewers said Darcey’s inclusion meant there was only time for four out of the five judges to give their comments on each performance.
One said: “I don’t think having a fifth judge has added anything new or different to the show.
“Wonder what the justification for bringing in Darcey was?”
Source: the sun