Strictly Come Dancing fans concerned as they spot new show ‘curse’ – and it spells trouble for fan favourite couple
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have been left concerned after spotting a new show ‘curse’ – and it spells trouble for Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe.
Gladiators star Montell, 38, and pro Johannes, 37, are set to Tango to One Night Only from Dreamgirls during tomorrow’s Movie Night special.
But viewers have been left worried for the pair, claiming it’s common for couples to be sent home following a disco performance – especially after Tom Dean and Nadiya Bychkova‘s elimination last week.
In a Reddit forum titled, “Disco curse?” one user pointed out several examples where strong contestants either scored low or were eliminated.
They used examples including Jeremy Vine and Karen Hauer‘s September, as well as Angela Rippon and Carlos Gu‘s I Will Survive to prove their point.
The fan went on to question whether it’s a case of voters disliking disco or if there is something specifically challenging about performing to disco music.
Someone replied: “I think to pull off a disco dance the celeb just has to be really good. It requires a lot of natural rhythm to make the dance look like it’s matching the music.”
Another added: “Definitely agree with you here, and when dances like the ChaCha, Salsa and Samba aren’t damn near exceptional when accompanied by a disco theme, they certainly tend to fall flat (especially without the technique from some of these match-ups).”
A third said: “As a disco fan i always get so hyped up when i see a disco dance, and they always end so badly, maybe the general public has bad memories of disco?? (idk i wasnt alive when ppl liked disco) oh also abbeys salsa was great – but not 40 worthy (most overrated incoming).”
The BBC ballroom show was plunged into a fix row afer Olympic swimmer Tom and his partner Nadiya were eliminated from the competition.
Head judge Shirley Ballas had opted to save Toyah Willcox in the dance-off – sparking outrage among fans who have raised their theories in another Reddit chatroom.
Some claimed it was to even out the cast’s gender imbalance while others think it’s because he prematurely announced his participation over the summer.
One wrote: “My only thought for getting rid of Tom is because of the male/female weighting and a concern that it’ll become too male heavy too quickly.”
Someone else said: “My only thought for getting rid of Tom is because of the male/female weighting and a concern that it’ll become too male heavy too quickly.”
A third pointed out: There’s already a gender discrepancy and they’re probably concerned about losing the female cast. You can guarantee that either Punam or Sam, or both, will be in the bottom next week.
Elsewhere, another penned: “Are producers mad he revealed he was on the show before the announcement?” with a fifth agreeing: “The thought did cross my mind…”
Breaking her silence, Nadiya wrote: “I really appreciate all the messages but I’m not ready to talk about what happened tonight just yet.”
Her former partner on the show Dan Walker was also furious at the decision and shared his own post.
He wrote: “What just happened on Strictly feels a bit messed up.
“@tomdean00’s departure will go down as one of THE early shocks. Lovely bloke who really could have become a great dancer. He looked like he was loving every second of it and @nadiyabychkova looked like she loved teaching him.
“I’m not an expert – and I’m happy for someone to explain – but how he lost that dance off is completely beyond my comprehension. Genuinely thought they could have gone a long way.”
Tom shared both posts, before commenting on the journey himself.
Former It Takes Two presenter Zoe Ball seemed to be on the same page and told Nadiya: “Love you Lady. gutted for you and Tom.”
Strictly 2024 pairings
Here's who is matched with who this series...
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
While Gorka Marquez told Tom: “Gutted for you man but should be product.”
Katya Jones commented: “So gutted for you and Nadiya.”
Following the public vote, the gold-medallist swimmer faced singer and actress Toyah, 66, in the dance-off.
Donning sparkly and fringed outfits, Tom performed his energetic cha cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire once again.
He kicked off the live show on Saturday with the routine, receiving a score of 20 from the judges and bringing his total to 43 after picking up 23 points last week for his tango to Harry Styles‘s song Golden.
Meanwhile, Toyah and professional partner Neil Jones reprised their lively jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner.
They picked up 18 points for their effort but they still remained at the bottom of the leaderboard with a total of 30 after they placed at the bottom last week with a score of 12.
After both couples danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both choosing to save Toyah while Anton Du Beke opted to save Tom.
Head judge Shirley had the deciding vote and chose to save Toyah.
What are the Strictly couples dancing to this week?
- Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell – Jive to the Wayne’s World theme
- Paul Merson and Karen Hauer – Cha Cha Cha to The Magnificent Seven theme
- Wynne Evans and Katya Jones – Cha Cha Cha to Mrs Doubtfire’s Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag
- Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones – Samba to Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid
- Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał – Samba to the George of the Jungle theme
- Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe – Tango to One Night Only from Dreamgirls
- Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez – Couple’s Choice to Bole Chudiyan from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
- Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola – Viennese Waltz to Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter
- Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu – Viennese Waltz to If I Can Dream from Elvis
- Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec – Rumba to Billie Eillish’s What Was I Made For? from Barbie
- Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin – Paso Doble to Elevation from Tomb Raider
- Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas – Quickstep to Elton John’s I’m Still Standing from Rocketman
- JB Gill and Amy Dowden – American Smooth to Pure Imagination from Wonka
- Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk – Charleston to Rain on the Roof from Paddington 2