Strictly Come Dancing star Fleur East was left ‘battered’ after her ‘worst fears were confirmed’ amid the dreaded dance-off on Sunday evening, a body language expert has said.
Judi James reflected on the X Factor alum’s devastated reaction to learning she would once again face the dance-off, going up against James Bye, who ultimately went home.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirmed Fleur was at risk following the Halloween special on Saturday night.
The star then danced her Salsa to Break My Soul by Beyoncé alongside professional dance partner Vito Coppola, under the watchful eye of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, body language expert Judi said this week proved to be Fleur’s ‘biggest confidence and ego-battering’.
She continued: “Each week Fleur shows impressive levels of enthusiasm, power and talent but, despite describing the experience of being in the dance-off first time around as ‘awful’ she was there again tonight, despite performing a dance that played to her strengths and despite performing it on her birthday.
“One dance-off can be like a shock to the system that focuses the energy and the determination but two can be deadly.
“Fleur’s body language was hard to watch as beneath the mask of stoicism she looked devastated and the worry is she will be wondering and worrying why the viewers are voting like this.”
Judi noted that the DJ ‘audibly’ groaned when her name was announced as the first confirmed for the dance-off, saying it was ‘as though her worst fears had been confirmed’. Judi continued: “She sucked her lips in, in her signature gesture of compressed emotions that she is trying to hold inside and she shook her head sadly.
“Vito dropped his head in a cut-off to hide his expression and then it reared right back, as though he had been punched.
“Fleur tried to hide her emotions before the dance-off, saying it was ‘disappointing’ and shrugging, but her actual performance lacked the zest and confidence of the first outing and it looked like she was dropped during one of her back-bends over Vito’s leg.”
James and his professional dance partner Amy Dowden once again performed their Charleston to Bumble Bee by LaVern Baker and ultimately all four judges voted to save Fleur.
Judi said that the EastEnders star ‘clearly’ knew it was ‘his time to go’ as he turned tearful during his final debrief with host Tess.
Judi concluded: “Fleur really must wonder why she’s been so close to leaving twice now.
“She needs to come back next week with the dance of her life. Her best emotion might be anger at what has happened as it might add new fire under her powerful routines.”
