It was always going to be a tough night for fans of the BBC1 show but the celebrity voted out of the quarter finals proved hugely controversial
Furious fans threatened to boycott Strictly Come Dancing tonight as one of the favourites to lift the glitterball trophy unexpectedly got their marching orders from the show.
Former Emmerdale star Lewis Cope became the latest star to be voted off, following a dance-off with Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin in which the judges unanimously chose to save Amber. Some viewers were left so enraged by his departure ahead of next week’s semi-final, after the judges ruled his salsa was “not his best” effort, that they vowed to stop watching. Lewis’s devastated pro partner Katya Jones clearly agreed that his exit was too early as she branded him “the best male celebrity we’ve ever had on the show”.
Viewer Alan Price said he was devastated to see Lewis, 30, leave the competition – and would no longer be watching as a result. “Lewis has been exceptional all the way through. I’v enjoyed watching him perform but will switch off from the show now.”
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Lynne Dudfield agreed: “Totally fixed. Will not be watching any more.” Elaine Smith believes that being too good from the start had worked against him, sighing: “He was never going to be allowed to win but he is my winner anyway.” And Vivienne Hinds agreed: “The audience would pay to go and see any show he is in – would not go and see the rest. He has made this series, totally.”
But other audience members said it was the right decision because he “wasn’t on top form” and also had an “awful song”. Lewis and Katya’s exit came after they scored the first full marks of the series with their Couple’s Choice routine to Radiohead’s Creep during the Halloween special, which got four 10s from the judges.
In tonight’s results programme Katya told him: “I think you have created so many moments for Strictly Come Dancing that will be in the history books and you will be remembered as one of, if not, the best male celebrity we’ve ever had on the show, but also you will be remembered for being an incredible person you are. Kind and genuine people still exist – what a gentleman you are, so humble. I’m so glad that we had a chance to showcase your talent and what a beautiful person you are to the world.”
The result, in Musicals Week, was a foregone conclusion because Amber and Nikita had already scored a perfect 40 on Saturday for their Charleston to a song from Guys and Dolls, while Lewis’s salsa to Dance at the Gym from West Side Story was criticised for having several flaws, particularly by Craig Revel Horwood and head judge Shirley Ballas.
Amber, 29, now waltzes into next week’s semi-final alongside George Clarke, 26, who is the last male celebrity left standing, plus Balvinder Sopal, 47, and Karen Carney, 38. When asked by host Tess Daly about his time on the show, Lewis said: “It’s been more than I could have ever wished for. If someone would have said that I’d have done 11 weeks at the beginning, I’d have been over the moon and snapped their hand off.”
Speaking to Katya he added: “It’s been incredible and a memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life, and I think it’s all down to you. You’ve literally given me absolutely everything I could wish for as a friend, as a teacher. I couldn’t imagine it with anybody else so thank you very much.”
Quizzed on the support he’s received and the impact he’s hoping for, Lewis said: “It’s everything, isn’t it? I mean, what is life without people? And this show, I’ve seen how it’s brought people together, not just in my family, but it seems to lift people up. And it’s definitely brought my family, four generations, together every Saturday night – my Nana Dot sitting there smiling all the time.
“You know, young boys who thought that dancing wasn’t accessible for them or whatever. They’ve started dancing now and have sent us videos. You know, if you can change one person’s life like that, then that’s enough.”
Kylie Minogue and Five will perform during next week’s semi final on Saturday, which kicks off on BBC1 at 6.35pm.
Source: Mirror
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