Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left labelling the decision to allow Kym Marsh to go straight through to the quarter final after testing positive for Covid-19 ‘unfair’.
The Coronation Street actress and presenter, who is partnered with Graziano Di Prima on the show, will miss this weekend's instalment of the BBC One Latin and ballroom competition.
However, the pair will remain in the competition and are expected to return the following week.
A Strictly spokesperson said on Tuesday: “Kym Marsh has tested positive for Covid-19.
“As a result, Kym and Graziano will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week.”
Strictly fans took to Twitter to respond to the surprise news following a weekend of high drama as the BBC One show returned to Blackpool for the first time in two years.
One fan wrote: “Hope Kim’s ok but I don’t think it’s fair they get a free pass to next week either. Especially when the competition is getting tough now.”
A second echoed: “Not sure how I feel about the free pass to next week…”
“Not really fair at this stage on the other contestants,” a third fan wrote. “Not appearing this week means this is a free pass to the quarter final on the 2nd December.”
Another fan added: “She will get automatic rollover into following week’s show. Wow that makes this weekend crucial in the dance off Strictly get well soon.”
Kym and Graziano danced the Paso Doble to a mash-up of Only Girl (In The World) by Rihanna and We Found Love by Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna last week as the show returned to Blackpool.
Kym and Graziano impressed during the show and landed a score of 33.
Head judge Shirley Ballas shared of their routine: "I feel like you are in warrior mode. You are here and you are fighting. What I loved, it was so powerful but yet you still kept the femininity," whilst Motsi Mabuse praised Kym's control and energy.
Alongside Kym, the remaining contestants are Fleur East, Helen Skelton, Hamza Yassin, Will Mellor, Molly Rainford and Ellie Taylor.
Last weekend, Tyler West became the eighth contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing as he faced Molly Rainford in the dreaded dance off.
Both couples performed their routines again, with Molly and her dance partner Carlos Gu dancing their Jive to Bandstand Boogie by Barry Manilow.
Then Tyler and his dance partner Dianne Buswell performed their Salsa to a KC and the Sunshine Band megamix, in a final bid to impress the judges.
