Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin has addressed an eagle-eyed fan's concern after they spotted he 'disappeared' following his dance with Ellie Simmonds which sparked some 'illegal' drama. The Ukrainian dancer and the Paralympic swimming champ brought the tension of The Apprentice’s boardroom to the dancefloor as they performed to the show’s theme tune.
This Saturday's show (October 22) saw the BBC One dance contest celebrate the BBC’s centenary. As the broadcaster marked 100 years on October 18, the dance competition honoured the occasion on Saturday night with routines to classic BBC theme songs and references to popular shows.
There were dances to theme tunes from show's such as Blue Peter, Grange Hill, Line of Duty and EastEnders while some songs also made the cut with a performance to Waterloo by Eurovision winners Abba and another to On Top Of The World by Imagine Dragons which celebrated BBC Nature programming.
But back to Ellie and Nikita and the pair brought passion and power as they performed a dramatic paso doble to The Apprentice theme tune, which is originally from Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo And Juliet ballet. The couple secured a score of 30 points but it didn't come without critique.
Head judge Shirley Ballas said: "Your laser vision at the very beginning, I could see that you were totally into this, you brought a lovely sense of mood," but she added that she deducted one point for an "illegal lift" during the routine. "I only have one little complaint. I do, I'm so sorry," the 62-year-old said.
"I do have to deduct one point for an assisted lift at the beginning because that's not allowed. But other than that you were absolutely phenomenal." Her co-judge Craig Revel Horwood was in agreement, calling it an "illegal lift" as he criticised the move. He claimed it would have been fine if it had just been a quick maneuver to get Ellie from the table to the floor but it 'lasted too long'.
But the comment didn't go down well with viewers. @MrBradPreston said: "I don’t understand the comment about the illegal lift. How else was Ellie supposed to get off the table?" @sandypand fumed: "How was Ellie supposed to get off the table!!!!! She needed assistance, they have adapted the routine for her. Usual rubbish from the judges. #Strictly."
Meanwhile, another fan noticed Nikita seemed to go missing for the rest of the show. Viewers are used to seeing the pro dancers and the celebrities alongside Claudia Winkleman in between performances but the 24-year-old didn't seem to appear. @ladylucisadventures said: "Anyone know if @nikita__kuzmin is ok haven't seen him on set all night," the viewers worried.
But seeing the comment, Nikita replied: "Just ripped my pants because of this paso [crying laughing emojis]. So had to get them sown for the 3rd time! Thank you," adding a red heart.
READ NEXT:
- BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers start 2023 line-up campaign after spotting show's next star minutes into show
- BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Kym Marsh shares how much training time she really gets after 'undermarked' claims
- ITV Corrie's Michael Le Vell makes rare red carpet appearance with Roy and Dev actors in Manchester
- ITV Coronation Street's Millie Gibson cries 'happy tears' as reunion with Gary co-star in another country ends
- ITV Coronation Street star says BBC Strictly's Kym Marsh is 'glowing' in makeup-free video before honest response
