Phillip Schofield has defended Strictly Come Dancing over the reported "re-recording" of one couple's dance-off performance, amid "cover-up claims".
The This Morning host backed the decision to allow one celebrity the chance to re-do their routine, after an apparent stumble at the start that led to on-site medical staff checking them over.
It's been reported that Fleur East and her professional dance partner Vito Coppola were allowed to restart their routine, in scenes that were not shown in the final edit.
The episode, which was recorded on Saturday (October 29) and aired the following day, saw Fleur take on EastEnders actor James Bye in the famous dance-off - with James sent home by the judges.
But sources claim that Fleur and Vito fell to the ground at the start of the dance, causing everybody in the studio to let out a loud gasp in shock.
It's believed Fleur had dragged Vito down to the ground with her before they were checked over by on-site medical staff, before being allowed to restart their dance.
Now, Phillip has reacted to the reports and defended the decision, as he recalled similar instances on his own series Dancing On Ice.
Holly Willoughby's co-host said of the latest "fix row": "She did stumble I think in the actual performance itself, but this was obviously left in.
"We were talking about this this morning, that sort of policy. If on Dancing On Ice someone goes down quite heavily in the first few seconds, and the medics were called in I think and went to check, you do go in and check them over and say alright, you can start again.
"If it's later in the performance then you have to continue."
Holly added: "Then you don't [start again], yeah. They will have contingency rules for these things put in place."
A source spoke of the apparent re-recording of the routine, and claimed the judges did not mention the initial attempt of the dance when it came to the feedback.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: "Poor Fleur looked stunned and devastated, and no one really knew what was happening on or off stage. Eventually, the warm-up guy came on and addressed the audience while Fleur and Vito got checked out.
"They started their dance again and obviously this second version was the one aired. There was no reference to the fall by the judges either."
The insider went on to tell the publication that James wasn't entirely bothered by the move as he believed Fleur had been the better dancer, although several others were relatively shocked.
"It's not exactly a live performance if stars get to have another crack of the whip," the insider fumed.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV Hub.
