News

Bruno Tonioli lashes out at Strictly viewers

The Strictly judge has taken issue with those who watch the show

That Strictly Come Dancing ‘race row’ is showing no signs of going away.

After the first three celebrities to be voted off the show were Melvin Odoom, Tameka Empson and, most recently, Naga Munchetty, viewers have accused the BBC dance show of being ‘racist’.

Of course, Strictly bosses have denied that this is the case and now one of the judges has waded in.

Flamboyant Bruno Tonioli has blasted racism accusations and has pointed the finger at viewers for their choices.

It is up to those watching to vote for their favourite dancers, with the two that have the least amount of votes being plunged in to a dance-off.

The Strictly judges, headed up by Len Goodman, then choose who should stay in the competition, based upon the dances they have just witnessed.

Read more: OMG! Now Brendan Cole has pulled out of Strictly

With this in mind, Bruno said that those complaining need to take a look at themselves first before throwing accusations about.

He also insists that the voting system is fair.

Basically, if you are in the bottom two, it is because Strictly viewers put you there.

Speaking to Best magazine, Bruno said: “The so-called ‘racism row’ over Melvin, then Tameka leaving is ludicrous.

“This series is so competitive every vote makes a difference.”

He then went on to compare the Strictly vote each week with the EU referendum earlier in the year, that pulled the country apart.

Bruno reminded those watching: “If you don’t vote you can’t moan when someone you love leaves.

“It’s like Brexit – vote, don’t get upset after the horse has bolted!”

Read more: Did Will Young quit over row with judges?

Melvin Odoom, who was the first celebrity to leave the show, has already dismissed accusations of racism.

He said that people were “trying to find a story out of nothing”.

Melvin insisted: “I think it’s got nothing to do with that… if there was a racist issue we wouldn’t be there in the first place.”


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

Related Topics