Strictly in new fix row as fans convinced show favourite has been ‘set up’ to go home at Blackpool
STRICTLY is involved in yet another fix row after fans were left convinced that the show favourite has been ‘set up’ to go home at Blackpool.
The upcoming episode of the BBC competition will see the remaining celebrities take to the dance floor at the northern seaside resort.
Viewers of the show think that the music chosen for this year has been “underwhelming” – and that one famous face could end up going this week because of it.
One person pointed out on a Reddit thread: “The music so far is…underwhelming. I bloody despise that Rick Astley song, ketchup song, I’m too sexy? Diabolical. Hoping we have a couple of decent ones peppered in. I always ponder, of all the thousands of songs in the world how they pick such plop.”
Former Towie star Pete, 36, is going to be dancing to the joke song – I’m Too Sexy – and Strictly fans think that means he will be going this weekend.
One said: “Pete deserves better than to be moulded into the comedy act, which is what this track will do. I’m enjoying him learn and grow in confidence. I hope that’s not all being thrown away for the sake of manufacturing an ‘iconic Blackpool’ performance.”
Another replied to that comment with: “It’s like what they did with Paul. They made him the comedy act two weeks in a row then decided to be nice and gave him and Karen a good song with the traditional ballroom outfits. Then they were back to being the comedy act the following week.”
“Pete looming in the danger zone with a CCC which is rarely done in Blackpool I wonder how long his fanbase can keep him safe for if he lands on the bottom of the leaderboard (also depends on how the others fanbases are doing) and the song choice sounds like an abomination,” a third chimed in.
Over the weekend Pete shared a gushing tribute to his dance partner Jowita Przystał, 30, after they made it to Blackpool.
Pete heaped praise on the Polish dancer following their show milestone as he took to Instagram with some snaps from the dance floor.
The pair danced The Best by Nicotine Dolls – and they were awarded a whopping 36 points.
Pete fought back the tears after performing the contemporary dance, which was a tribute to his late-nan Doreen.
He said: “I don’t know what to say…I ain’t always very good at talking about emotions but I wanted to thank every single one of you that voted last night or just resonated with our dance.
“We all lose people we love, it’s life…but someone once told me ‘don’t let the death of someone be the death of you’ and it’s stuck in my head.
“My nan was my best friend and she would have loved watching me try and dance every Saturday night.
“This was just my way of sharing this experience with her.
Strictly stars at risk of the axe in 2025
Gorka Marquez joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2016 when he was partnered with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson. The following year he was partnered with singer Alexandra Burke. They reached the final and finished as one of the runners-up.
In 2020, he was partnered with actress Maisie Smith. Again, he made it to the final and finished as a runner-up.
He failed to make it third time lucky in 2022, finishing runner-up again with Helen Skelton.
Nadiya Bychkova joined the show in 2017 with EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami. The pair reached Week 11, finishing in 6th place.
Her best performance to date came in 2021 when she finished fifth with Dan Walker.
Neil Jones has been without a celebrity partner more times than he’s had one since joining in 2016.
His best finish was with ex-footballer Alex Scott in 2019, finishing in fifth.
Katya Jones was another 2016 addition and made an instant impression with politician Ed Balls. Their Gangnam Style routine is still a favourite to this day.
In 2017 she lifted the Glitterball with Joe McFadden.
The following year she was at the heart of a show scandal after snogging her dance partner, the comedian Seann Walsh.
Karen Hauer has been an ever-present since 2012.
Despite her lengthy association with the show, she’s never lifted the Glitterball. The closest she came was in 2020 when she finished runner-up with Jamie Laing.
“It wasn’t about the show or getting to Blackpool, it was just a thank you to my mum and my nan.
“I’m humbled by all of your kind words and support.
“Next week is for Jowita, she has given me so much over the past couple of months and I know how important it is for her to be able to dance again in Blackpool.”
He added: “I am beyond grateful to Jowita and Arduino for helping me through the last week.
“Next week we are bringing fun, it’s gonna be all about the fun. The support I’ve had since the start of this show is wild and no words will ever be enough but genuinely THANK YOU. Px.”
Pete’s best mate recently Sam Thompson revealed that Pete may join him in Australia if he is booted off Strictly.
Sam, 32, is set to host the ITV show’s returning spin-off Unpacked alongside former contestant Joel Dommett, 39, and Capital radio host Kemi Rodgers, 29.
The tatted hunk will also be able to see Love Islander Maura Higgins, 33 – who he has been romantically linked too in recent months.