Strictly Come Dancing viewers concerned for Anton Du Beke's 'struggle'

10 December 2023 , 14:06

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Strictly Come Dancing viewers concerned for Anton Du Beke's 'struggle'

Viewers of Strictly Come Dancing were left "annoyed" during Saturday's broadcast of the BBC show by judge Anton Du Beke's "struggle" with words.

EastEnders star Bobby Brazier and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell kicked off the semi-final in style with a quickstep to Mack The Knife by Bobby Darin. Next up were favourites Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin, who danced the rumba to Rihanna's Lift Me Up.

Despite awarding the dance a nine, judge Anton labeled the performance " a little hard in places". And whilst the harsh nature of comments such as those weren't an issue for fans, it seems the way he delivered his remarks throughout the programme were.

Strictly Come Dancing viewers have hit out at Anton Du Beke's comments

Viewers soon took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustrations at the 57-year old, describing his feedback as "stuttering" and "incoherent." One user asked: Can Anton start speaking in sentences please? It's just a load of incoherent sounds. #strictly.

Another hit out: "Fed up with #Strictly 1 dancer did a perfect dance got 8 across all judges, another dancer made mistake got 2 10's Shirley & Anton, no sense to this. Please @AntonDubeke_TM stop stuttering finish your words, getting annoying now. #fixed."

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A third added: "What the hell was that Anton. None of that was coherent feedback. #Strictly." A fourth declared: "It’s time Anton finished a sentence. #Strictly." And a fifth pondered: "Does Anton struggle to talk these days? #Strictly."

Elsewhere, head judge Shirley Ballas found herself on the receiving end of criticism over "baffling bias". Shirley was full of praise for Bobby after his opening to the show: "Oh you didn't let me down! What a way to open the semi-final." She then turned to Anton and declared: "I must now strip you of your King of Ballroom title and give it to Bobby," as the crowd applauded and Bobby bowed down in celebration.

Viewers claimed Anton's speech was 'incoherent' and stuttering' (BBC)

However, some fans took to social media to accuse the show of favouritism towards Bobby, suggesting it was being fixed for him to reach the final. One viewer commented: "They're only going to get in the finals cause Nigel had to drop out. Can't deal with the over reactions from Diane #strictly," whilst another said: "I love Dianne's dress... but I still don't know how Bobby is still in this competition. He always look stiff and uncontrollable to me. Craig's comments are fair #Strictly."

"God this bobby bias is so weird #Strictly." While a fourth remarked: "King of ballroom? Bobby? Confiscation Shirley's gin, please #strictly." However, others were very supportive of Bobby and Dianne.

"Bobby & Dianne should be in the final based on their two dances tonight #Strictly," one wrote, as another added: "If they leave tonight.. they literally couldn't have done any more if they tried!! Bobby is exactly what this show is all about and if he can't get to the final as a complete beginner on THOSE two performances then they need to rethink what this show is actually about! #Strictly."

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Alan Johnson