Tonight, Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left gobsmacked as EastEnders icon Jamie Borthwick was announced to be leaving the dance floor for good, having lost in the dance-off against Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe.
Only seven couples remained in the contest, with Tasha Ghouri and JB Gill both topping the leaderboard after last night’s performances – which included the comeback of the danceathon.
However, it was Jamie and Pete Wicks who found themselves at the lower end of the leaderboard, leaving fans baffled tonight as Pete managed to survive another week without even facing the dance-off.
Frustrated fans took to Twitter to air their views, with one posting: “WHAT? Pete is safe and Montell and Jamie in the dance off. Absolute joke! #Strictly.”
Another chimed in: “Why is PETE not in DANCE OFF #strictly this is a joke a farce and a fix! #Strictly” while a third tweeted: “Who keeps voting for Pete? He is the worst of the lot, why do people keep voting him in. Montell and Johannes and Jamie and Michelle in the bottom two? Awful result #Strictly.”, reports the Mirror.
A fourth added: “Absolutely HORRIFIC dance off – can the public please get a grip #Strictly. While a fifth wrote: “#Strictly who tf is voting for Pete? Montell vs Jamie should never be a dance-off.”
One fan expressed disappointment, commenting: “Gutted. Ain’t no way Jamie deserves to be in the bottom this week, he was absolutely brilliant. Sometimes the British public get it SO wrong and this is one of those times,” while another added: “If Pete is so shocked and bothered to still be in, then quit. Stop costing better dancers their place in the competition #Strictly.”
Yet, there was support for Pete too. A viewer shared: “you’re going to hate me for this, but i kinda love pete, i literally love them all and don’t want any of them to go from this point onwards #Strictly,” and someone else said: “I can’t help but love Pete and Jowita and their reactions, I know Pete is not the best (we all know it) but I’m still so happy for him #Strictly.”
During his emotional farewell, Jamie spoke about the enchanting experience of Strictly and praised Michelle.
Jamie remarked: “Strictly is magic. That is all I can say. Strictly is magic. Not just everyone who you see in front of the camera, these four here [the judges], but everyone who works on this show. I have such a good bond and relationship with and that’s what made me want to do this show, it’s the people, not what I’m doing. I’ve had the best time.
“I could ramble on all day about this one [Michelle]. She’s a new pro and she’s absolutely been the most amazing teacher. We have laughed like you wouldn’t believe. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone on the show, so thank you.”
Michelle added: “I just want to say it goes without saying Jamie is an amazing dancer, and he’s improved so much week by week. He’s worked so hard to get to where he is. It’s my first year with a partner and I’ve realised that it’s so much more than just the dancing, it’s the bonds and the friendships that you make. I waited two years for a partner and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
*Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7.05pm next Saturday.