Strictly Come Dancing viewers have accused the show of being a “fix” after Krishnan Guru-Murthy was voted off on Sunday night’s episode.
The broadcaster and his pro partner Lauren Oakley found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard on Saturday night and ended up in the dance off against Angela Rippon and her dance partner Kai Widdrington.
After both couples took to the floor for a second time judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all opted to save the 79-year-old despite messing up her routine.
Although Rippon won the majority vote, her second dance-off in a row, head judge Shirley Ballas admitted she would have saved Guru-Murthy.
However, viewers at home were less than happy and aired their frustration over the decision, accusing the show of “favouritism” towards Rippon.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer commented: “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”.
“At this point I feel like Angela could have stood there for the whole song and she would have still made it through. For once I agree with Shirley, Krishnan was better,” another tweeted.
A fan fumed: “Anyone else think it’s an absolute travesty that Angela R has been saved by the judges when they even admitted Krishnan upped his game!
“Craig and Shirley even pointed out Angela made a mistake! BBC bias, come on #Strictly play fair”.
A fourth added: “#Strictly judges said #AngelaRippon messed up. Was unsteady on her feet. Slipped. And all 4 said #Krishnan did better. But Angela goes thru.
“And all a fix to get the headlines about her back in Blackpool. Making a mockery of the show!”
“Twice in a dance off and twice making mistakes yet she still goes through? I'm sorry, I love Angela, but if that was anyone else they'd have gone last time. They clearly want Angela at Blackpool no matter what. Krishnan was robbed,” another echoed.
Despite fans' upset, the Channel 4 newsreader described his time on Strictly as "life-changing".
Speaking to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, he said: "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."
