Strictly Come Dancing has been accused of a 'cover-up' after it was revealed that Fleur East was allowed to start her dance-off performance again last weekend. The singer and radio presenter was in the bottom two for a second time after the BBC One dance contest's Halloween special.
Fleur and her professional partner Vito Coppola had to re-perform their salsa routine to Beyonce’s Break My Soul as they went up against EastEnders star James Bye and his professional partner Amy Dowden, who ended up under the dreaded red light after his Charleston to Bumble Bee by LaVern Baker.
And after both couples had danced for the second time, it was a unanimous decision by the judges to save Fleur and send James home. But it has since been revealed the recording of the results show on Saturday night, before it is then aired to the public on Sunday, was brought to a halt by Fleur following an "incident with a prop".
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The BBC said the restart had been permitted because the pair had "not begun to dance" before the incident occurred. In a statement, via the PA news agency, a BBC spokesperson said the show had been stopped "as a matter of urgency".
“After an incident with a prop at the beginning of Fleur and Vito’s dance-off performance, the decision was made to halt proceedings to check they were not injured, as a matter of urgency,” the spokesperson said. As they had not begun to dance before the incident occurred, it was decided they could start the performance again, once it was confirmed they were fit to do so."
Following the final performances, judge Craig Revel Horwood said it was his "responsibility" as a judge to “save the better dancer”, meanwhile Motsi Mabuse said there were "different levels of dancing on the dance floor." Meanwhile, Motsi said there were "different levels of dancing on the dance floor" as she opted to save Fleur.
The BBC's response comes after reports claim that Fleur and Vito fell to the ground in spectacular style, 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.
The news comes after fans already felt James was 'robbed' and pointed out that Fleur may have suffered another mishap during her routine for survival in the hit dance competition. And following the judges' decision on Sunday night, Strictly fans were again quick to comment on social media as to why James and Amy should have stayed over Fleur and Vito.
@tonibarber1 said: "Sorry fleur should of went she slipped and could see clearly she went wrong sad to see James go." @paula.squire.37 fumed: "Disgraceful. Fleur noticeably fell and then she walked the last couple of steps. James should not have been sent home. It was obvious before the dance off that James was going to be sent home." @porridgeface wrote: "Wrong decision, Fleur messed up." @nanny_nsl63 added: "You were robbed @jimmybye and @amy_dowden! Fleur had 2 big visible mistakes! I thought it’s supposed to be the better dancer with the least mistakes on Sunday night?!"
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