The BBC has announced a big change to Strictly Come Dancing and other shows' voting system.
Weeks before Strictly returns for its new season, the BBC has shared that all voting will now take place online, as premium-rate phone voting has come to an end.
Strictly, as well as other shows like the Eurovision Song Contest, will continue welcoming online votes from viewers.
The BBC has noted that online voting was "the go-to choice" for most viewers, with the majority of votes for the last season of Strictly being cast online.
The broadcaster explained the decision to stop offering premium-rate phone voting, saying the system, run by phone company BT, is "outdated" and "expensive to run".
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Online-only voting can be done via your BBC account. The BBC encourages viewers to create an account, as having one offers a more personalised iPlayer experience and weather updates tailored to your location.
If you don't have an account, you can sign up for one for free on the BBC website.
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Set to premiere later this month, the upcoming season of Strictly sees soap stars like EastEnders' Balvinder Sopal and Neighbours' Stefan Dennis joined by former footballer Karen Carney and Doctor Who's Alex Kingston as part of the 15-strong celebrity lineup.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Read more Strictly news on our dedicated homepage
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
