Copyright manchestereveningnews
Strictly Come Dancing viewers think they have rumbled the reason for the latest dance-off results, claiming the decision following the latest public vote was 'wrong'. It was an epic night in the BBC One dance contest on Saturday (October 25) as week five became the second-ever Icons Week special. The remaining 11 couples in the competition appeared in the ballroom channelling their chosen icon, with some of the world's biggest music stars being honoured - including Prince, Celine Dion, Beyonce and Cher. It was former Emmerdale star Lewis Cope who topped the leaderboard, having impressed with his quickstep to Ring Of Fire with professional dance partner Katya Jones, for which they scored 34 points. Meanwhile, at the other end of the leaderboard, and finding themselves in potential danger, was YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke and pro dancer Alexis Warr who finished with a very respectable 27 points for their jive to former One Direction star Harry Styles' solo track As It Was. But when the results show aired on Sunday night (October 26), it was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Amber Davies who found themselves in the dreaded dance-off. Both couples performed their routine from Saturday night’s Icons Week show, with Hasselbaink dancing the American Smooth to Prince’s Purple Rain while Davies and Kuzmin performed a Cha Cha to Ariana Grande’s Break Free. Casting their verdict, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas chose to save Amber and Nikita, with Anton Du Beke, who was this week’s judge with the casting vote, adding he would have voted the same way had it been required. It meant that Jimmy and Lauren were left saying their goodbyes. As he spoke to host Tess Daly, he said: "I have absolutely loved my experience. I can only say thank-you very much for letting me have this experience and to my daughters for pushing me to come here and do this. "I never expected that I would enjoy it this much. The people behind the scenes, from the wardrobe people to the hairdressers to the make-up people, are absolutely magnificent – thank you very much. This experience is going to live with me forever." And following the latest results, Strictly fans were quick to suggest the same thing. @pinkwitchzo said: "The way this season actually feels like a popularity contest, oh i feel sick." @felixw1 commented: "I'm getting the impression #StrictlyComeDancing is more of a popularity contest this year... #Strictly #SCD." @KimK8415 wrote: "Thing is it is not about who danced the best. It is all about who is fans of the couples dancing and fans of the celeb. It never has been about who dances the best. That's why I have lost all interest in watching. They need new judges. And a new format that is fair." @AtLastaBlonde added: "If anyone thinks #StrictlyComeDancing is a dance competition, then look back over the years and see it’s always been a popularity contest."
