Strictly fans rage over 'wrong elimination' and call out Angela Rippon 'fix'

13 November 2023 , 08:42

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Strictly Come Dancing viewers were angered by the judges' decision to send Krishnan Guru-Murthy home (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)

Strictly Come Dancing fans expressed their anger on Sunday night claiming the judges' decision to save Angela Rippon following the dance-off was a "fix".

Angela, 79, and her professional dance partner, Kai Widdrington, lived to fight another day and will compete in the BBC show's iconic Blackpool week at the expense of Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oatley. Whilst head judge Shirley Ballas said she would have kept the latter, it was too little, too late after Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke all opted to save Angela.

It came after Krishnan and Lauren finished bottom of Saturday's leaderboard, whilst Angela and Kai fell into the bottom two following the public vote. Viewers were left disgruntled with the judges' decision, meanwhile, claiming Angela "almost fell over" during her Paso Doble to Madonna's Hung Up.

Viewers claim Strictly was 'fixed' to ensure Angela's passage to Blackpool week (BBC)

Revealing his decision first, Craig explained: "Well, Krishnan you really upped your game in that dance off, it was magnificent. Angela you nearly lost your supporting leg darling in the kick but you saved it, miraculously. But the couple that I would like to save and go through to Blackpool is Angela and Kai."

Motsi agreed: "To be honest I’ve never been so undecided in my decision, I’ve been going back and forth, back and forth, in the end I’ve decided for fundamentals and technical level so I will be saving Angela and Kai." Anton's vote was enough to send Krishan home as he added: "I also I thought both couples danced very well – it was a super dance off, if there is such a thing. But just for the cleaner technique really, and the more recognisable fundamentals, I’m going to save Angela and Kai."

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Shirley then weighed in with her thoughts, but with three votes for Angela and Kai, their safety was already secure. "Well I picked the person that I felt was more grounded on their feet without any technical errors and I would have saved Krishnan and Lauren," she said.

Were the Strictly judges right to save Angela Rippon in the dance-off? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

One disgruntled fan took to X (formerly Twitter) after the show to declare: "Of course Strictly fixed it for Angela to stay in for Blackpool. Angela used to host Come Dancing for years...they're going to do a Come Dancing history special, then she'll be voted out. She tripped in the dance-off FFS."

Another wrote: "Sorry this is such a fix. How can you say 'Angela, you literally almost fell over. Krishnan you were significantly better but I'm still gonna save Angela?' This is such a fix. Never agreed with Shirley before wtf is going on?"

A third hit out: "What a stinking fix. Krishnan was done dirty by Craig, Motsi and Anton. Angela Rippon is fantastic for her age, but she was not better than Krishnan in that dance off. Most obviously rigged decision since Peter Andre was picked over Jamelia.

A fourth agreed: "Sorry but Angela Rippon saved twice over both Adam and Krishnan, really? Despite making mistakes/near falls while Krishnan for one got praised, really? Hate to be one of those people but kinda starting to scream of fix unfortunately!!!" And a fifth said: "So sorry, but I thought Angela’s dance was terrible! The slowest Paso ever, almost fell, the same thing over and over again."

Gracious in defeat, Channel 4's Krishnan said afterwards: "Look this has been the most incredible experience. I said it has been life changing and it genuinely has. I am incredibly grateful to the entire production team, judges, my incredible Strictly family up there.

"It’s right I am going out this week and I have got to get back to life. The thing that has made Strictly really special is Lauren. She is most incredible teacher, partner, friend. She is the real Strictly star and I am so delighted I am the first partnership you have had. She is going to go a long way and I am very proud of her."

Alan Johnson