Strictly viewers are calling upon BBC bosses to reinstate Catherine Tyldesley following Will Bayley’s withdrawal from the series through injury.
The Paralympian star, 31, was given a bye to this weekend’s round of the BBC One dance show after hurting his leg following an awkward landing during rehearsals for the Halloween special last Saturday.
Will, who was due to perform a jive with pro partner Janette Manrara, was left writhing on the dance floor in agony due the nasty spill – just one week after his inspirational display moved judge Motsi Mabuse to tears.
But he’s now been ruled out of the rest of the series after it was reported his injured knee could take up to six months to heal.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing: Will Bayley forced to quit after injury
According to a Strictly rule, no contestant is allowed to miss two weeks of the live shows – and Will’s recovery will likely take much longer than that.
However, following her controversial elimination on Sunday, many fans are hoping that Catherine Tyldesley and her pro partner Johannes Radebe could be brought back to fill the contestant gap opened up by Will’s departure.
Bring back Catherine and Johannes!
Pondering how Will’s absence will affect the programme’s format of elimination, one person asked on Facebook: “Does that mean there will be no dance off this week? Or they bring back Catherine and Johannes?”
Another reacted: “This is really sad news. Wishing Will a speedy recovery. Could Catherine be brought back to take his place?”
Read more: Strictly’s Katya Jones ‘forced to miss training due to neck injury’
“Well… we all know who needs to take his place… BRING BACK CATHERINE & JOHANNES,” suggested a very enthusiastic fan.
And another keen supporter of former Corrie star Cath commented: “Bring back Catherine and Johannes! Yaaass!”
Other social media users are not so sure, with some cautioning there is no precedent for a celebrity to return to the dance floor after being booted off.
“They’ve never replaced celebrities who’ve left before, why would they start now?” remarked one.
Another insisted: “They’ve been voted off so do not deserve a place.”
A third added: “Stop making this about other people! That’s so unfair to Will.”
It is believed that the series will continue to see one couple eliminated every week despite Will leaving, resulting in only three couples in the final rather than four.
– Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday on BBC One at 7pm
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.