Strictly judges in new fix row as they’re accused of ‘bullying’ contestant
STRICTLY fans have slammed the judges after Nigel Harman was given a devastatingly low score for his performance in Blackpool.
Hundreds of viewers have complained on social media after the panel criticised the EastEnders star, with one saying: “It’s borderline bullying.”
Nigel and his professional dance partner Katya Jones‘ routine to Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean A Thing left them second from the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard.
The actor was visibly disappointed as Craig Revel Horwood said: “The footwork, my love — it went wrong quite a bit.”
He hung his head as Anton Du Beke added: “Well, it’s a shame as you’re such a brilliant dancer. It’s just amazing and then you have made a couple of mistakes.”
Fans immediately rushed to X, formerly Twitter, and called out the judges on their unfair treatment and favouritism towards Layton Williams, who already has an advantage in the competition as a West End performer.
One viewer wrote: “This series is horrible, rigged for Layton and targeted bullying by judges towards Nigel trying to break him.”
“Don’t they realise it’s fixed and the judges already know the winner,” a second said.
A third commented: “#Strictly is fixed.”
Despite his score of 31 out of 40, he avoided the dance-off at Blackpool‘s Tower Ballroom thanks to viewers’ votes.
Instead, it was Angela Rippon, 79, and Bobby Brazier, 20, forced to go again — with Angela and partner Kai Widdrington getting the boot.
Last month Layton furiously hit back at fix claims and insisted he doesn’t have an “unfair advantage” over rivals.
When a clip was posted on the official Strictly Instagram many furious fans were quick to share their thoughts on the star already being a performer.
But, defending Layton, someone wrote: “All the people in the comments helping to ruin his Strictly experience is really sad to see.”
And Layton responded defiantly: “Literally. Like, relax. It’s just a TV show.”