A Strictly Come Dancing celeb has called for a major shake-up in the show, urging bosses to ditch a key part of the hit dance programme. The BBC ballroom contest was back on screens, Sunday, with hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announcing who had danced their way into next week's show.
Soap star Jamie Borthwick and his dance pro Michelle Tsiakkas, who wowed with their Argentine Tango to Arctic Monkey's Do I Wanna Know? on Saturday, were among those sailing through. But as Wynne Evans and Katya Jones faced the music in the dreaded dance-off, Claudia caught up with the safe contestants.
Chatting to Jamie, he didn't hold back on his views about the BBC competition's structure. Claudia asked: "Jamie, I know you are incredibly close to Wynne so for you, is this bittersweet? " Jamie responded: "Yeah it is a bit. You know, it's such a strong competition and it would have been a shock anyone being in that dance-off tonight."
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He added: "I wish we could all go to Blackpool, it's so horrible that someone's got to go. I think we should just scrap that rule."
Comedian Chris McCausland quipped: "It's a terrible show isn't it? " prompting giggles from the stars, with Jamie concurring: "It is! It ruins the show! " while Claudia deadpanned: "I'll tell the boss."
Last night was a rollercoaster of emotions as celebrities gave their all in anticipation of the iconic Blackpool Ballroom Tower episode next week, reports the Mirror. Former Towie star Pete Wicks and his partner Jowita Przystal took centre stage with their Couple's Choice, a contemporary-style routine to Nicotine Dolls' The Best.
In the VT before their performance, Pete dedicated the dance to his late nan, visibly moved as the music ended. Their heartfelt performance earned them a commendable 36 points.
However, one of the night's most memorable moments came from blind comedian Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell. They performed their Couple's Choice routine to John Lennon's Instant Karma! (We All Shine On).
Near the end of the dance, there was a blackout moment with the music continuing to play, illustrating Chris's weekly dancing experience. The judges awarded them 33 points, visibly moved by the performance.
Shirley Ballas struggled to hold back tears, saying he wears his "heart on your sleeve", while Craig Revel Horwood described the moment as "poignant". Unfortunately, it was announced earlier this week that professional dancer Amy Dowden would not be returning to perform alongside JLS singer JB Gills due to illness after a live show.
Welsh whirlwind Amy Dowden sadly had to hang up her dancing shoes for Strictly Come Dancing's 20th anniversary after a rough time battling stage three breast cancer last year. In a heartfelt reveal in February, the brave dancer announced she was free of cancer.
But this week took a tough turn—Amy, at 34, spilled that her heart was "breaking" as she's been forced to bow out from the glitterball chase due to a niggly foot injury. Chatting on the Strictly sideliner It Takes Two, Amy said she's got to take it easy due to an "insufficiency stress fracture" in her shin.
With Amy on the bench, her injury has left her celeb buddy JB pairing up with pro Lauren Oakley, who stepped up to the plate on last Saturday's sequin showdown.
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