Strictly couples

[sockmonkey]

Please help me because it bothers me and I know it shouldn't but...
On Strictly Come Dancing, when they are announcing who is through to the next week, they say "the next couple through to next week is.

Should it be is, or because there are two people should it be the next couple through are?
One of you clever people should know!

[singersgirl]

Strictly a couple is singular, like a team, a government or the staff. Practically, more and more people use the plural verb.

[sockmonkey]

Thank you singersgirl. It just sounds odd, but I guess the BBC would correct the hosts if they were getting it wrong. I will calm down about it.

[blowsy]

It is correct to say 'the couple is' as it is singular. If they said the couples it would be are.