Strictly Come Dancing pro Nancy Xu has appeared to hit out at the show’s judges over what she deemed to be “unfair” treatment of her celebrity partner Shayne Ward following his exit at the weekend.
The 40-year-old former X Factor winner and Coronation Street star’s time on the BBC dance competition got off to a rocky start after he received criticism from viewers for appearing “overconfident” in the first episode.
After finding himself in the dance-off on two previous occasions, his time to leave the dancefloor finally came on Sunday, but it wasn’t without controversy.
Going up against opera singer Wynne Evans, for whom it was his first dance-off, the decision wasn’t clear cut.
While judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse opted to save Ward, sending home Evans instead, Anton Du Beke elected to save Evans, prompting head judge Shirley Ballas to cast the deciding vote.
She said: "I don't want to see either couple leave, actually, 'cause I thought you both had a great run this series but, based on this dance alone, both of you had hiccups.
“One of you displayed a much more powerful and joyous routine for me, so it was quite difficult for me to choose, but on this occasion, I’m going to save Wynne and Katya.”
Ward’s dance partner Xu, 33, seemed stony-faced as the Good Ship Murder actor graciously accepted defeat.
She has now vocalised her exact thoughts on the situation in a post shared to Instagram.
Alongside an image of them dancing at the weekend, she penned: “I’m so sorry that the whole journey you received criticised seems more than you should, and people forget that you are coming from zero! To put up every Saturday night show like you did, you should deserve something better! [sic].
“But I want you to know that there is something bigger and better is on its way to coming to you! And by the time you receive more fair results! I [am] definitely gutted that our journey has cut like this!”
Xu added: “For me, you have already been a winner since our very first day rehearsals together. Your humble, kindness, and respect for me are beyond then everything! Not even mention how amazing you are performing every Saturday night on the dance floor!”
The Standard have contacted a representative for Nancy Xu for comment.
She and Ward are set to give their first television interview on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two tonight (11 November) at 18:30 on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
