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Call charges have soared for fans that vote by ­ smartphone for stars on TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor.

The price hikes follow an Ofcom ruling that fees payable to the phone firm and TV company must be shown separately.

And phone companies have taken the opportunity to hike rates, with Three’s fees rising 80% from 25p a minute to 45p, which O2 and Vodafone charge.

But voters also pay the show. Calling Strictly from November 3 will cost many viewers 60p a minute.

Three users previously paid 40p.

(Image: Guy Levy/BBC)

Figures show 13 million viewers call reality TV hotlines every month and the nation blows £900million a year on numbers staring with 084, 087, 09 and 118.

The access charge is set by the mobile phone company and should be made clear on bills and when a new contract is signed.

Experts had warned providers would use the changes as a chance to ramp up charges.

And according to uSwitch, callers are in danger of being hit by bill shock - for example, a Three customer calling the Strictly voting line from November 3 face a total charge of 60p a minute, instead of 40p previously.

Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com , said: “Since the new system was introduced by Ofcom in July, we have seen some networks increase access charges to premium and non-geographic numbers by as much as 96%.

“With no cap on what phone companies can charge, the providers can now set whatever access charge they want, and as a result costs have crept up.

“We’ve ended up with a situation where the four main mobile providers are charging between 44p and 45p.

"That’s before you add on a service charge for the number you want to call, which can be anything up to 13p per minute for numbers starting with 087, for example.”

He warned smartphone users who regularly ring hotlines for their favourite reality shows to check prices before calling and added: “Ofcom’s new system relies on people being vigilant and keeping an eagle eye on what they will be charged before they pick up the phone.

“The charges are meant to be more transparent than before, but with significant price hikes since the new system was introduced, consumers need to be savvy to make sure they are not left out of pocket.”

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A Three spokesman said the new access charge was being introduced following a review of its pricing.

He said: “There are now many alternatives to calling expensive numbers. Of the 100 most dialled 084 or 087 numbers on Three’s network, 67 have free or lower cost alternative numbers customers can call.

“We are committed to ensuring the cost of calling 084 and 087 numbers is clear for our customers and that we support customers in finding alternatives to using these numbers.”

Ofcom said the changes introduced on July 1 have made call charges clearer, with consumers being able to see what they are paying and where their money is going.

A spokesperson said: “But some prices have changed, and so we encourage people to shop around for a tariff that’s right for them.”