The BBC has been {accused} of letting Strictly followers freeze in -3C temperatures after scores of individuals had been seen tenting out in a single day for seats to the semi-finals.
The broadcaster typically points extra tickets than locations for the dancing present, to make sure a packed viewers but it surely leaves ticket holders determined to get in.
Tickets might be validated at Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, from 9am on the day of the present, which ensures entry at 4pm when the doorways open.
Swathes of superfans heading to the semi-finals had been seen donning thick coats and sleeping baggage to attend out within the chilly for a seat from 10pm the night time earlier than.
This left some questioning if the the outdated manner of permitting followers into Strictly Come Dancing needs to be scrapped.
Viewers members mentioned the BBC ‘do nothing’ to assist and that they had been left with ‘no protection, no bogs, no refreshments’ whereas enduring temperatures as little as -5C.
The BBC says they don’t encourage individuals to queue up so early, however followers of the present really feel they cannot danger not getting in.
Strictly Come Dancing followers queuing within the chilly outdoors Elstree Studios (pictured) to get tickets for the Semi-final reside efficiency over the weekend
One one who witnessed surprising queues within the freezing chilly mentioned: ‘The BBC did nothing. No blankets or sizzling drinks, they only let individuals wait on the market all night time.’
Its feared scenes might be even worse this week with three {couples} set to battle it out for the glitzy crown as temperatures close to the studio are anticipated to plunge to round 1C.
The eyewitness mentioned: ‘You flip up on the studios, which is basically only a huge gate.
‘There is no protection, no bogs, no refreshments – no person works there.
‘It was -3C after we arrived on the lodge on Saturday night time. However after we bought to the queue at about 6.30 some individuals instructed us that they had been ready in -5C.
‘We had been fairly far again and there have been so many individuals forward of us.
‘Two older ladies had been there since 10pm the night time earlier than, the oldest individual there was most likely of their late sixties.
‘The factor is, the BBC simply do nothing. They do not encourage individuals to be there however the factor is, if you do not get your ticket validated on time you may not get in.’
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu had been voted off within the semi-final present that many waited out within the chilly in a single day for
The BBC warns: ‘To your personal consolation and security please keep away from arriving too far upfront of the validation time
‘Queueing early won’t safe you a selected seat within the studio.’
And a observe on an e mail to those that efficiently register for tickets says: ‘As not everybody who asks for tickets makes use of them we ship out extra tickets than there are locations.
‘Which means admission is on a first-come, first-serve foundation and never assured.’
However regardless of this, reams of hysterical threads encourage these hoping to nab a seat to get to the studios for at the very least 6am.
One individual wrote: ‘The fast heads up – arrive many, many hours earlier than 9 am if you wish to ensure of getting in.
‘6am might be an honest goal, many individuals e-book a lodge for the night time earlier than if they’re travelling in the direction of the studio.
‘There are round 450-500 seats and so they ship out at the very least twice that variety of tickets.’
The BBC warns individuals to keep away from arriving too far upfront of the validation time at Elstree studios (pictured)
It is understood scant recommendation from the BBC and panic over guaranteeing a spot means the ‘basic consensus is to reach at 7am’.
A spokesperson for the BBC insisted everybody who queued final weekend did get in, it doesn’t matter what time they arrived.
They added: ‘The welfare of our studio audiences is our first precedence, so we strongly discourage arrivals earlier than the set time that tickets are validated – at which level individuals are free to depart and return when the present begins.
‘Everyone who arrived on Sunday bought in, together with those that arrived later within the afternoon.’
