Toyah Willcox sparked outrage after making an apparent dig at Strictly Come Dancing co-star Chris McCausland.
The singer-songwriter, 66, was the second celebrity to be eliminated from the BBC dance show at the weekend and had some choice words when asked what advice she would give to the remaining contestants.
Appearing on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two on Monday, the Echo Beach hit-maker laughed and clapped, then pointed to the camera and said: “If you don’t want to do a dance-off, get rid of Chris!”
She was referencing comedian Chris McCausland who is currently competing as Strictly’s first ever blind contestant.
It Takes Two host Fleur East and Willcox’s Strictly professional dance partner Neil Jones both exchanged awkward glances and Willcox collapsed into Jones’ lap while laughing uncontrollably.
Willcox then clarified: “You’re all going to have to face a dance off,” while Jones attempted to defuse the situation by joking: “I think she has chosen her winner already.”
The damage had already been done in the eyes of viewers, who took to social media to share their shock and disgust.
“Did I just hear right Toyah on ITT??? You could hear a pin drop in the studio!!!” fumed one person.
“That was such a nasty dig Toyah just made at Chris. Malicious, vicious and jealous,” remarked another.
“Toyah was a bit mean about Chris on It Takes Two,” agreed a third.
While another questioned if she was “trying to throw Chris under the bus”.
Willcox and Jones were sent home following a dance off against footballer Paul Merson and his pro partner Karen Hauer, in which Willcox reprised her samba to the song Poor Unfortunate Souls from Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
After both couples had performed, the judges were unanimous in their decision to save Merson and Hauer meaning that Willcox and Jones were out.
It was their second time in the bottom two after being saved following a dance-off against Olympic swimmer Tom Dean the previous week.
There are now 13 remaining celebrities, including DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, who was forced to sit last week out due to injury.
A post shared to Strictly’s Instagram page said: “Unfortunately, Nick Knowles sustained an injury during rehearsals and, as a result, will not dance this weekend.
“As per the rules of the competition, Nick and Luba (Mushtuk) will receive a bye through to next week when he is hopefully able to dance again.
“Everyone at Strictly Come Dancing wishes Nick a speedy recovery.”
Re-sharing the post on his own social media, the TV star, 62, said of this latest development: “I’m absolutely gutted and feeling very very sad,” followed by a sad face emoji.
