BBC Strictly Come Dancing an 'absolute fix' as viewers rage over 'disgraceful decision'
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left fuming after the first celebrity waltzed off the BBC dancing competition and claimed it was an "absolute fix".
Olympic champion Tom Dean faced singer and actress Toyah Willcox in the dance-off following the public vote. After both couples danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse both choosing to save Willcox and Jones while Anton Du Beke opted to save Dean and Bychkova.
Head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose to save Willcox and Jones. Angry fans took to social media to vent their fury at the decision and said the 24-year-old gold-medallist swimmer was "robbed".
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One viewer exclaimed: "Absolute fix. They obviously have some deal to give Neil more air time this year. Poor Tom. Not on at all."
Another claimed "Tom has been robbed!! Toyah was by far the worse dancer!!! Absolute Fix."
A third disgruntled fan wrote: "Jeez. First week and already a disgraceful decision. Wasn't your fault Tom."
"Totally disagree with the decision this evening. Tom was far better," another insisted.
One particularly upset fan commented: "Actually gutted Tom left #Strictly, his week 1 dance was the best of the night - the chemistry between the two of them was so good. Should not have been in the dance off."
Before giving her verdict, Shirley applauded both performances before giving her reasonings. She said: "I think both couples appeared a little bit nervous to start with and of course, this is our first dance-off.
"Both of them had some qualities, the first thing required as a dancer is timing and clarity. Both couples were a little bit in and out but one was a little bit more out than in, the same as what Motsi said.
"Due to musicality and other things that I had to pick and getting out there, your life depending on it, I have to save Toyah and Neil."
Tom and his professional partner Nadiya were given a score of 23 this week for their Cha Cha, which put them ninth on the leaderboard. In week one, the Olympian was given the same score for his Tango, which gave him a combined total of 46.
Before taking to the dancefloor for a final time, he spoke to judge Tess Daly about his Strictly experience. He said: "I've had the best time the last few weeks and getting to work with Nadiya has been incredible. I wish I could have gone further and done more dances.
"I've had the most fun and I wish we could keep going longer and longer. We'll still go out for loads of brunches I'm sure."
Although Tom's time in the competition has come to an end, bookies have turned their attention to Chris McCausland, who has now become the favourite to win the show. Chris and Dianne Buswell were awarded a total of 29 for their routine, which put them sixth on the leaderboard for week two.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "Tasha may have topped the leaderboard, but punters adore Chris. He has attracted the weight of money for the second week running and stands as the one to beat."
The remaining 14 couples will take to the dancefloor next Saturday for the movie week special on Saturday October 5 at 6.25pm with the results show on Sunday October 6 at 7.15pm on BBC One.