IT IS an unlikely battle of sequins and spangly suits which has gripped the nation and brightened gloomy credit crunch-laden news.

But now Liberal Democrat peer Lord Tyler has stepped into the fray of Strictly Come Dancing to condemn a subject close to his party's heart – its voting system.

The former North Cornwall MP branded the voting method which on Saturday night saw Holby City actor Tom Chambers lift the coveted trophy an "opaque fiasco".

The incensed constitutional affairs spokesman is invoking Freedom of Information laws to get to the bottom exactly how many votes were cast for each competitor.

Lord Tyler said it should spur the BBC on to lead the way in electoral reform, particularly after last week's botched semi-final in which three, rather than two, couples progressed to the finals.

"Technology is available at the BBC's disposal to ensure licence-payers know just how many votes each contestant got," said Lord Tyler. "After the debacle in the semi-final, Strictly Come Dancing must make sure that next time there are just two contestants for the final, or introduce the ability for voters to indicate a second preference.

"That way, the third-placed couple could be eliminated fairly and the final winner could be sure they had majority support among the public."

Lord Tyler said the prime-time BBC show threw a spotlight on Britain's "first-past-the-post" Parliamentary electoral system, in which the winner can poll less than half the total vote.

The Liberal Democrats have been long time supporters of electoral reform and adopting a system of proportional representation.

Now the BBC had a chance to lead by example, said the peer.

"The BBC has the opportunity to lead the way with a fair and open system of preferential voting.

"It's as easy as counting 1, 2, 3. Politicians would have to take note.

"At the last General Election, not one single MP won support from more than half their constituents, and the Government was only supported by one in five adults.

"That too was a fiasco."

Lord Tyler has written to BBC director general Mark Thompson to urge action and have the full results disclosed under Freedom of Information rules.

In his letter, Lord Tyler says there is a political dimension.

"As you are probably aware, my Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have long campaigned for similar – and more wide-ranging – reforms to the voting systems used for the House of Commons and for local government in England and Wales.

"Since programmes like Strictly Come Dancing and X-Factor have so engaged the public of late, the introduction of a fairer system that gives the winner a clear majority might demonstrate the advantages that could be gained if our political institutions followed suit."

The hit TV show sees celebrities team up with professional dancers in a bid to master the art of ballroom dancing.

The final on Saturday was watched by an estimated 13 million viewers, despite the previous week's uproar.

It was not the first controversy to blight the show.

Former BBC newsman John Sergeant's popularity with viewers kept him in the show, although he was roundly criticised by judges for clumsy footwork.

The award-winning political correspondent elected to bow out fearing he would win ahead of better dancers.