Strictly Come Dancing fans are up in arms, convinced that football icon Paul Merson is being set up as the show’s “laughing stock”.
The 56-year-old sports star has had a rocky journey on the dance floor, facing the threat of elimination twice already. Yet, Paul and his dance partner Karen Hauer sidestepped the dance-off last Sunday after their Quickstep to “I Won’t Dance” showed marked improvement.
Despite this progress, there’s a wave of concern among viewers as Karen and Paul prepare to perform the Samba to “Car Wash” by Rose Royce this week. The song choice and dance style have some fans worried that the show’s producers are trying to pigeonhole Paul into a joke role.
On Reddit, one viewer expressed disappointment: “After giving Paul a serious dance, they’re back to giving him a joke song.”
This sentiment was mirrored by another who commented: “And back to Paul being made a laughing stock,” reports Devon Live.
Another fan added their voice to the discussion, saying: “Paul did a lovely, classic ballroom number last week. But I think the Samba will be his undoing, and he’ll be next out.”
This isn’t the first time fans have voiced their displeasure at the producers for casting Paul in the “joke act” role through his assigned songs and dances. Following his impressive performance last week, a viewer remarked on X: “Paul was fantastic this week. We finally get to see a serious dance instead of being made the joke act. Well done, Paul and Karen.”
Another concurred: “Brilliant! A proper dance from Paul, exactly what he deserves. No silly gimmicks or props, he doesn’t need to be the ‘joke’ act. Well done”.
A viewer expressed delight at the absence of younger male jokes, noting the confidence boost it gave to the mature contestants: “See what happens when you don’t make the older men joke acts? They actually have the confidence to dance well! Paul and Wynne both have so much potential.”
Concern extends beyond just Paul in the ‘Strictly’ constellation, as Pete Wicks also encounters fan anxiety over his upcoming performance. He and partner Jowita Przystal are set to sway to Oasis’s “Don’t Look Back In Anger,” a choice that hasn’t gone unquestioned.
A fan commented on the challenge posed by Pete’s first slow Latin dance and questioned the track suitability: ” I’m Worried for Pete this week is his first slow Latin dance, and he’s really exposed. I’m also not keen on the song choice for a Rumba, to be honest.”
Another chimed in with concerns about Pete’s rumba stirring gossip and seconded doubts about the musical fit: “Pete doing a rumba, that’s going to fuel the rumours also that song I wouldn’t associate with a rumba.”
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iplayer.