26 November 2023 , 09:10
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A favouritism row has engulfed Strictly Come Dancing after it was claimed that a tense exchange between the BBC's show head judge Shirley Ballas and EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier was 'edited out' by producers.
The 20-year-old BBC soap star, who is the youngest celebrity competing in Strictly this year, was deflated after being plunged into the bottom two alongside his pro partner Dianne Buswell, during the traditional show at Blackpool ballroom. The actor, who is the son of late Big Brother star Jade Goody, eventually won out over former newsreader Angela Rippon but there have been claims that it all wasn't as smooth and polite between Shirley and Bobby as it showed on the results show last Sunday.
Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell during their appearance on the live show on Saturday for BBC1's Strictly Come DancingThe Sun has reported that onlookers at the Blackpool show had heard Bobby admit that he was "knackered" after being told that he would have to dance-off for his place in the competition. It was reported that Shirley was robust in her speaking to Bobby, telling him that he needed to "pull his socks up" and get on with it. Bobby duly won the dance-off, with all the judges choosing him over Angela, and some Strictly fans have accused the show bosses of wanting to keep Bobby in the competition.
A source told The Sun: “Bobby sounded like he’d had enough whereas Shirley seemed mildly annoyed and basically told him to pull his socks up. Some think the Beeb are making Bobby their golden boy and wanted to avoid any conflict.”
Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell perform their couple's choice dance (PA)When the dance-off was televised, Shirley is seen telling Bobby: “I thought you did an exquisite jive.” The actor told fans after the episode aired that it was “possibly the most intense 20 minutes of my life”.
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“I’ve now realised, no-one is safe,” he said. “Despite seeing your guys’ support for me just grow week in and week out, you’re still not safe, you know? So the votes and stuff are a big part of that, and I’m very grateful for everyone who does vote week in, week out. And I now definitely don’t now have a sense of complacency, or a sense of security, or a sense of feeling like I can just rely on you guys.”
After being in the bottom two last week, Bobby was in the top two after the judges scores following his couple's choice dance with Dianne, to Kate Bush's This Woman's Work. The actor, who recently won a National Television Award for his portrayal of Freddie Slater on Albert Square, dedicated the dance to his late mum and was awarded a couple of perfect scores by the judges
Bobby was only topped on the night by rival soap star Ellie Leach, who plays Faye Windass in Coronation Street, who also scooped a couple of tens for her Argentine Tango with pro partner Vito Coppola.