'Strictly' curse couple Seann Walsh and Katya Jones survive the dance off to fan fury

(BBC)
(BBC)

Controversial couple Seann Walsh and Katya Jones have survived the dance off to be kept in Strictly Come Dancing for another week, and fans were furious at the decision.

The pair have been at the centre of a Strictly curse storm since footage emerged of them two weeks ago sharing a drunken snog in the street – despite it being Seann’s then-girlfriend Rebecca Humphries’ birthday, who was sitting at home alone.

Comedian Seann and Katya, who is married to fellow Strictly pro Neil Jones, found themselves in the bottom two for the first time after the public vote and had to perform their Quickstep to Jake Bugg’s Lightning Bolt again.

They looked extremely nervous as the result was announced, and Seann in particular was grinning through gritted teeth as the judges gave their advice on the dance off.

He said ahead of their second go at the Quickstep: “We’ve just got to go for it, there’s nothing to lose now.”

Well, yes, but they were talking about the dancing, Seann.

But the judges voted to send home DJ Vick Hope and her partner Graziano Di Prima for their Cha Cha, a decision that shocked fans of the show.

However, the lone voice of one ex-Strictly pro begged to differ.

Vick had been bottom of the week five leaderboard with 20 points and Seann was just ahead on 24, but many viewers felt that he was being marked up to stay in the competition.

The other celebrities also looked much more devastated than usual to see a co-star leave, which, after Graeme Swann’s comments this week, could well be due to their opinions of the dance off winner.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood was the only one who chose Vick and Graziano as the couple to stay, but Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas, and guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro, who was standing in for Bruno Tonioli, all picked Seann and Katya.

Vick said: “I’ve loved it. I’ve had the time of my life so I want to thank everyone…and of course, thank you Graz, you’ve been so patient with me and helped me so much, I’ve loved every last second of it.”

Awkwardly, the show also featured Paloma Faith singing her new track Loyal, which she’d been pretty outspoken about earlier in the week.

She told The Sun: “It’s ironic the song I’m singing is called Loyal.

“There’s something really good and important to be said about fancying other people, as long as you don’t act on it.

“I think you’ve got to go out there and fancy somebody else, then come home to your person and be like, ‘bring it’.

“I’m a big believer in trying to have a love affair with your partner. Book a babysitter, have a weekend away, remember the person you got with in the first place, rather than go on Strictly and snog someone else. Or go home and dance with your wife!”

Ouch.

Plus, the show opened with a baseball-themed group number including a kiss cam segment, which frankly just reminded us of the whole debacle all over again.

Next week, the remaining 11 couples will take part in the show’s Halloween-themed episode, but as plenty of people keep pointing out, Seann and Katya can’t stay away from the romantic routines forever.

We only see this situation getting more cringeworthy as the weeks progress.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday, October 27 at 6.50pm on BBC One.

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