Humiliated rower James Cracknell launches into furious rant after becoming first booted off Strictly Come Dancing
SUNK Strictly celeb James Cracknell went overboard with his anger after becoming the first star to be pushed out.
The Olympic rower had to be calmed down backstage as he ranted: “I wish I’d never done this show.”
His outburst came after he and pro partner Luba Mushtuk, 29, lost the dance-off to former England goalie David James, 49, and Nadiya Bychkova, 30.
James, 47, had been panned by the judges for his wooden dance moves during the first two weeks of the series. On Saturday night his jive earned him just 13 points.
An insider said: “He was livid at being axed. He was saying things like, ‘It was a massive mistake to do Strictly. I’ve been made to look completely stupid.’
“James is very competitive — he won gold at the Olympics twice — and he felt he wasn’t given a fair chance.
“It was like his first career failure. He was very angry backstage and had to be calmed down.”
The insider said James had thought Michelle Visage, 51, would be the first to go but “it felt to him like producers were promoting her and giving her a lot of air time”.
James, who was supported from the sidelines by his adventurer pal Ben Fogle, earlier revealed he had to go through rigorous psychological tests before the BBC agreed he was well enough to take part.
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Nine years ago the married dad of three suffered a brain injury when he was hit by a petrol tanker while cycling in the States.
He said: “I had to have more tests (on Strictly) because of my injury. They had to check I was able to cope with the hours that are required to take part.
“And also that I would be mentally strong enough to deal with the judges, who — let’s face it — would have no choice but to judge me fairly and that might not always be nice.”
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