STRICTLY pro Amy Dowden has hit back at the show’s judges after low scores left them in the dance-off on Sunday night.
She and celeb partner JB Gill surprisingly found themselves fighting to make it through the competition having scored 30 for their jive to Outkast’s Hey Ya, which placed them eighth on the leaderboard.
Amy Dowden and JB Gill scored 30 points for a jive at the weekend[/caption]
The pairing are among the favourites for this year’s trophy[/caption]
Ultimately, they proved too strong for retired footballer Paul Merson and Karen Hauer, but fans weren’t happy they were in the bottom two.
Speaking on last night’s spin-off show, It Takes Two, Amy said: “I literally just said to J, repeat what you’ve done, copy and paste, because I truly think JB week in and week out has delivered brilliant performances. Every week we come off absolutely buzzing.
“I remember week one, asking J, have you had dance lessons before? He is so talented. Not just this week, I’m proud of every performance J has put on.”
The judges’ scoring has come under scrutiny so far this series, with accusations of both under and overmarking.
Two names this week who were generously marked in the eyes of viewers were Wynne Evan and Jamie Borthwick.
EastEnders actor Jamie and his dance pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas took top place on this week’s board after wowing the judges with a ‘near-perfect’ Paso Doble.
The duo danced to Malagueña by Ernesto Lecuona in matching monochrome outfits and were praised for their “paso-bleeding-tastic” performance by judge Craig Revel Horwood.
Judge Moti Mabuse then said: “This is how a Paso Doble works.”.
“All that intention, all that intensity, leading, shaping, being alive with your dance partner – brilliant!”
However, fans weren’t sure, with many taking to X, formerly Twitter, to express their dance dismay.
One said: “Challenge for the judges next week… stop over marking Jamie, it’s coming across like judges favourite, his footwork isn’t perfect yet is never critiqued on it, yet others are marked down for it, that was never a 10, it was an 8 max a 9.”
Another fumed: “It’s coming across fixed for Jamie this year, I like him but I feel we’re being manipulated into thinking he’s a better dancer than he actually is.”
Wynne and Katya danced the quickstep to Mr Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra.
After scoring 33 from the panel fans were left raging, with one adding a comment alongside a screenshot of the scores that said: “I want them to defend this score in a court of law. #scd #strictly.”
Another replied with: “The most bonkers score I’ve ever seen #Strictly.”
The judges’ scoring has come under fire this year[/caption]
