Strictly icon Arlene Phillips hits out at judges after controversial exit

Strictly: Shayne and Nancy are eliminated

Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips has waded in on the BBC show after Shayne Ward was the latest celebrity to be eliminated. The English choreographer appeared on the show for four years before being replaced.

Taking to Instagram, the Strictly icon disagreed with the judges decision and firmly believed that Wynne Evans and Katya Jones should have been sent home instead.

She penned: "I disagreed with the @bbcstrictly judges last night on which couple stayed. Watching @shaynetward at the start of the competition I didn’t think he would get this far.

"From being a clumsy dancer last night turned into an actor and a dancer, portraying a beautiful partnership with @nancy_xuxi the dance felt romantic and true and I was sorry to see this couple go."

Many of her fans agreed in the comments, with one person saying: "Agreed 100%. I absolutely love Wynne as a person & he’s been a better dancer than I expected, however it was his time. The others are so much better, including Shayne."

A second also typed: "Me too! I’d love to see what the Judges see when making their decisions. I was surprised at @mrantondubeke and @shirleyballas decision."

A third chimed in: "That’s your opinion, I don’t agree or disagree, but we are at the stage in the competition where good dancers will go. He’s been in the dance off three times so unfortunately doesn’t have the backing of the public, the judges are after all just doing what they need to do!"

After his exit was announced, Shayne said: "I just want to say, you guys up there [the other contestants] are a dream. Every single day, coming in here and seeing you guys you helped me so much.

"I want to say thank you to the audience as well, for always being amazing for us all. This has been, honestly, one of the best things I've ever done."

Shayne and Nancy were the latest to be eliminated (Image: BBC)

Meanwhile, Nancy revealed that she relished working with Shayne, admitting that she "adored" their partnership.

The 33-year-old dancer said: "I'm beyond proud of this dance partnership.

"Shayne from week one until this point, every second you put your feet on the dancefloor you improved yourself. You're a deep thinker, you always doubt yourself, you never believed in yourself, but I never ever questioned you."

Strictly Come Dancing resumes on Saturday on BBC One.