back of a spreadsheet; back of the net

Len was on Take 2 last night defending the judges and swearing blind that the producers have never asked them to vote or score in any way (ETA: when I said the scoring was fixed, I meant the judges have favourites and don't score objectively. I do however think they are their *own* favourites) and I'm inclined to believe him. I certainly believe the producers' choice of contestants and partnerships is influenced by those concerns (chief example this year being Ewan I think) but I wouldn't go as far as thinking they try to influence the judges to further this. I might go as far as to suggest the music choices might sometimes be intended to sabotage people though...