Former soap star Catherine Tyldesley has been booted from Strictly Come Dancing.
After her zombie cha-cha-cha in the live show with pro partner Johannes Radebe failed to impress viewers and judges alike, the ex Coronation Street actress found herself in this week’s dance-off against sports presenter Mike Bushell, 53.
Read more: Strictly star Gorka Marquez hints he should have replaced injured Neil Jones
After both had performed again, judge Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Mike and Katya Jones while Motsi Mabuse and Bruno Tonioli saved Catherine and Johannes.
However, head judge Shirley Ballas chose to save Mike, meaning Catherine was sent home.
A teary Catherine said: “[Johannes] is like my best friend. Just the opportunity to work with amazing people and get critiqued by amazing people.
“I’ve loved every second. This man has changed my life.”
Johannes, who was in tears, told Catherine: “Thank you for accepting me for who I am and thank you for showing me joy every day.”
Fans who watched tonight’s (27.10.19) episode reacted to the decision on Twitter.
One person wrote: “Catherine and Johannes shouldn’t have been voted off. They’re the better dancers. Gutted for them both.”
Another said: “What on earth? That was one of the worst decisions I’ve seen. Wrong, wrong, wrong!”
A third tweeted: “Bloody joking can’t believe it @Cath_Tyldesley @jojo_radebe you will missed.”
Catherine and Johannes shouldn’t have been voted off. They’re the better dancers. Gutted for them both. #StrictlyComeDancing
— Maegan Harris (@maegan_harris99) October 27, 2019
#StrictlyComeDancing what on earth ? That was one of the worst decisions I’ve seen Wrong, wrong, wrong !
— Sarah (@sarah96016087) October 27, 2019
Bloody joking can’t believe it @Cath_Tyldesley @jojo_radebe you will missed #StrictlyComeDancing
— karen (@therealbritnee) October 27, 2019
#StrictlyComeDancing Noooooo How can you save Mike!? Catherine looks genuinely gutted 😐
— Sammy G Double T (@SamuelGarnett74) October 27, 2019
#StrictlyComeDancing biggest fix ever wrong couple went tonight so very wrong😖🤬
— Martha Gallacher (@MarthaGallacher) October 27, 2019
Catherine’s shock elimination – during a week marred by sickness bugs and injuries – rivals the judges’ controversial decision to give Dev Griffin the boot.
Earlier this month, fans came out in force to slam the panel for choosing to keep Viscountess Emma Weymouth and Aljaz Skorjanec in the competition.
Some labelled the result a “fix” and claimed they had been unable to vote for Dev and his pro partner Dianne Buswell due to phone lines being “too busy”.
While a Change.org petition was launched demanding that the BBC release its voting statistics, others targeted the judges with disgusting abuse online.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas on a drip after ‘tough’ week
Australian pro Dianne, who is believed to have taken the decision particularly badly, was eventually forced to call out trolls for threatening head judge Shirley Ballas.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood, meanwhile, blasted “know nothing” fans when he told the Mirror: “They can kick off as much as they like. How much do they know about the Cha Cha Cha? Nothing darling… so they can kick off.”
But during an appearance on Loose Women, Shirley added fuel to the fire when she appeared to blame viewers for Dev’s shock exit.
– Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday (02.11.19) at 7pm on BBC One
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