STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have slammed the judges for “under-marking” after Bobby Brazier landed in the bottom two.
The BBC celebrity ballroom dancing competition said goodbye to former Come Dancing host Angela Rippon, 79, in tonight’s results show.
Legendary broadcaster Angela was eliminated in the iconic Blackpool ballroom 40 years after she hosted the show there.
But while Angela was widely tipped to go this week, her opponent in the bottom two left viewers truly shocked.
Former favourite to win, EastEnders star Bobby Brazier had to fight for survival in the dance off.
Rippon performed the American smooth to Tea For Two by Ella Fitzgerald with dance partner Kai Widdrington while 20-year-old Brazier and his partner Dianne Buswell jived to Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!
Brazier and partner Dianne had won the majority vote with three votes before head judge Shirley Ballas said that she would have also saved Brazier.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood said that Brazier and Buswell’s performance was “standout” while Motsi Mabuse said the dance off was “marvellous”.
Viewers were completely stunned by Bobby’s inclusion in the bottom two.
One wrote: “Bobby should NOT have been in the dance off. #Strictly”
A second said: “The correct result but I’m very shocked about Bobby being the bottom 2. His Jive was brilliant. Although it looks like the judges underscoring him is starting to have an effect on his place in the competition.”
Another added: “How on EARTH he was in the dance off is beyond me. One of the best of the night!!!!!”
Asked about her time on the show by presenter Tess Daly, Rippon said: “I have to tell you that the last nine weeks have probably been the most terrifying, the most fantastic, the most glorious, the most joyful that I have spent for a very long time in my profession.
“I have had the time of my life, people keep making reference to the fact that I presented Come Dancing, but that was 40 years ago, that was a different time!
“He (Widdrington) wasn’t even born then! But, actually, being this side of the competition, this side of the programme, has been really an eye-opener for me in so many different ways.
“Everybody talks about the team and all the pros – everyone who has danced – there is a real team spirit in this programme unlike anything I’ve come across anywhere else in any of the many programmes I’ve done. It’s absolutely fabulous.
“They support us, they encourage us all the time – it’s absolutely wonderful. But the person who really has to get the most credit is this gentleman here (Widdrington).
“He’s (Widdrington) an old soul on young shoulders. He’s 28 and I’m 79, there’s a 51-year difference in our ages.
“He has looked after me so brilliantly, he’s a wonderful dancer, a great choreographer, but he’s a terrific teacher … and he has the patience of a saint!”
Speaking to Widdrington, she added: “All I can say is that you’ve got me here, so don’t you dare cry! He and his partner, Nadiya, are in every sense of the word beautiful people and I am so pleased to have you in my life.”
Widdrington, 28, said: “Since week one when I met this amazing woman – as she said, I wasn’t even born when she did Come Dancing – I had to ask my parents about the amazing Morecombe and Wise moment that was so famous, and about Come Dancing.
“Like Angela just said, there’s a 50-year age gap between us, but we’re like mates!”
Speaking to Rippon, he added: “I’m so proud of you and you should be proud of yourself, it’s been my absolute honour and pleasure to dance with you especially in this beautiful ballroom.”
