Strictly Come Dancing stars Fleur East and her professional dance partner Vito Coppola have addressed a fix row that has erupted around reports footage of their dance-off was cut from the broadcast.
The latest Halloween special episode, which was recorded on Saturday and aired the following day, saw Fleur, 35, take on EastEnders actor James Bye in the dreaded dance-off.
However, there was one moment which didn't make the final broadcast, as a source claimed this week that the pair fell to the ground.
The pair were then reportedly allowed to restart their dance, and went on to win the dance-off against James Bye and Amy Dowden, who became the latest stars to exit the show.
The pair addressed the reports during an appearance on Loose Women on Thursday afternoon, as they sat down with host Kaye Adams, who was eliminated from the BBC One ballroom dancing show in the first week.
Explaining the fall, Vito clarified it had been him that took a tumble, as opposed to Fleur, as was previously reported.
He told the panel: “Basically, in the first few seconds of our number, I just fell down on the chair.
“Everyone was gasping there. But luckily they made sure that I was okay, so we were able to restart. I’m fine. I’m here today.”
Panellist Denise Welch clarified the decision to restart was made due to health and safety, as the pair were checked by medical staff on hand.
Vito continued: “We were continuing, because we always say to each other, ‘If anything happens, let’s just keep going’.
“I was trying to stand up and continue, when I turned Fleur was spinning away.”
Smiling, Fleur added: “I was ready. I was like, ‘The show must go on’. Then production decided to stop the music and we were like, ‘Oh, okay’.”
The BBC similarly addressed the controversy today in an official statement following the fix claims over the edited broadcast.
A spokesperson for the BBC said: "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 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."
