Strictly Come Dancing fans reacted in shock as the spotlight fell on two more couples to go head-to-head in the dreaded dance-off on Sunday night (October 8). There was disbelief as singer and Manchester's Hits Radio presenter Fleur East ended up in the dance-off with her professional dance partner Vito Coppolo after the result was calculated through a mix of audience vote and panel scores.
Then the red light of doom shone on BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson and Strictly reigning champion Giovanni Pernice, who last year lifted the coveted Glitterball with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis. Viewers were amazed to see former X Factor runner-up Fleur, who was an early favourite to win the BBC dance contest, in this position in week three.
Fans took to Twitter to voice their upset. @strictlyblog gasped: "FLEUR?! It is too early for a shock bottom 2!" @DavidMackayy shouted: "FLEUR IN THE DANCE OFF IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS."
READ MORE:
@tvreality93 fumed: "Fleur and Vito bottom two how ridiculous." @Sias_Creations exclaimed: "Fleur and Vito being in the dance off proves the British public don't deserve to vote! So unfair & shocking!" @apermanenthug asked: "Holy s***... WHAT??" and @RachJBurns commented: "OMG Fleur in the dance off? What is wrong with people?"
Loose Women star Kaye Adams, who became the first celeb to be voted home last weekend with her dance partner Kai Widdrington, admitted: "Wasn't expecting to see @FleurEast in the dance off this week!! Anyone else as shocked?" And judge Craig Revel Horwood told Fleur: "I am truly shocked about this. I thought you danced really brilliantly on Saturday night."
![](https://i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article25219027.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_402804.jpg)
Richie and Giovanni performed their samba to Hakuna Matata from The Lion King again. Then Fleur and Vito reprised their American Smooth to Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid in a bid to impress the judges and remain in the competition.
After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts. Craig, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse all chose to save Fleur and Vito but head judge Shirley Ballas said she would have saved Richie and Giovanni. As Richie and Strictly favourite Giovanni bowed out @strypeyblue cried: "No more Giovanni on a Saturday night."
@mandyjwilding wrote: "Nooo! I cannot believe that Richie and Giovanni have gone from #Strictly . There has been a huge travesty of justice here!" And @GDogWinship1999 said: "Absolutely shocked at tonight's #Strictly results. So sad to see Richie and Giovanni get knocked out and the fact that it was them vs Fleur and Vito in the dance off was an outrage."
@DatingDesperado said: "I'm traumatised. Giovanni's out." And @billypassmore complained: "Sake, so I’ve to go through the rest of the series of #Strictly without Giovanni." Motsi said: “I think it’s heart-breaking actually because I think both of you do not deserve to be here but this is how the public voted and based on this dance off I’m going to save Fleur and Vito”
The remaining thirteen couples will take to the dancefloor next weekend. Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday October 15 at 6.30pm with the results show on Sunday at 7.15pm on BBC One.
READ NEXT: