Strictly Come Dancing fans were left gobsmacked when movie week turned into a horror when Richie Anderson and his dance partner Giovanni Pernice and Fleur East and Vito Coppola landed in the bottom two and therefore had to dance again for their survival in the BBC One dance contest on Sunday night.
After the second public vote of the 20th series, both couples were revealed to have received the fewest votes and had to reprise their third week dances again after the red light of doom landed on them. Richie and Giovanni performed their head-turning samba to Hakuna Matata from the much-loved Disney movie The Lion King.
During the judges’ comments on Saturday, head judge Shirley Ballas joked: “I don’t think I’ll ever look at Giovanni the same again,” after the pair donned Lion King costumes for their performance. BBC Radio 2 host Richie dressed as mischievous meerkat Timon, while reigning champ Gio, 32, was dressed as warthog Pumbaa.
READ MORE: BBC Strictly fans demand Shirley Ballas is 'replaced' as they erupt over Fleur East decision
It was then over to former The X Factor contestant Fleur, 34, who re-performed the American smooth to Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid with her dance partner, new Italian pro Vito. And it was their performance that was enough to save them from elimination with the judges almost unanimously voting to save them.
Head judge Shirley, however, went against her fellow judges for a second week and said she would have opted to save Richie and Giovanni. Queen of Latin Shirley said: "Well with the two couples the public put in the bottom two I would have saved Richie and Giovanni."
While some lashed out at Shirley over her decision, other Strictly fans flocked to social media to share the reason they think Richie and Giovanni got the chop so early in the competition. @liv_liv_liv__ tweeted: "The stupid outfits didn’t help richie and giovanni one bit #strictly."
@EllenCook4 commented: "Genuinly gutted for Richie and Gio, but they were done so wrong by those outfits. Fleur and Vito shouldn't have been in the dance off either #Strictly." @2610ami1 fumed: "Why was Giovanni having to wear that ridiculous panto outfit? So demeaning for the current champion. It was as if he and Richie were set up to fail.#Strictly." @racherivi added: "Richie never stood a chance with that dance and those outfits. But seriously Shirley, no way should he have won the dance off #strictly."
Richie has since broken his silence on his exit in a gushing Instagram post. Alongside a picture of him from his first routine in a George Michael-inspired 'Choose Dance' tee as well as a string of backstage snaps, the presenter wrote: " Choose Dance - always! It’s been short, but sweet! Never did I think I’d be given the chance to attempt to cha cha cha, quickstep and samba live on television.
"I also got to meet some amazing people who will be friends forever! Can’t wait to cheer everyone on for the rest of the series, @giovannipernice it’s been an honour to dance in the ballroom with you. Thanks to everyone who voted, supported and sent kind comments. He rounded off his post by adding: "Keeeeeep Dancing."
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