Strictly Come Dancing fans were outraged that AJ Odudu’s routine was ‘undermarked’ by the judges.
The presenter, 33, and her professional partner Kai Widdrington, 26, danced a Couple’s Choice to Make Me Feel by Janelle Monae, placing them second on the leaderboard with a score of 36.
Judges liked the routine, and Cynthia Erivo (Motsi Mabuse’s replacement) gushed: ‘I hold AJ in special place in mine. It was amazing. I loved you so deeply.
“That was a forty!” Strictly Come Dancing fan slammed judges after AJ Odudu’s replacement Cynthia Erivo awarded Dan Walker a higher score.
Strictly fans were not impressed when Dan Walker, a journalist for his Rumba, was awarded a greater score – a 9 in comparison to AJ’s 8.
“THAT was forty!” Cynthia, that was a 40! One frustrated user posted a message on microblogging.
A third fan complained that Dan and AJ were being marked on different criteria.
A disgruntled additional tweet said: ‘Stop undermarking AJ or Kai STOP IT.
After being blown away by his hip-thrusting, Nadiya Bychkova and Dan received 30 points for their Rumba.
Controversial: Cynthia Erivo, Motsi Mabuse’s replacement for the weekend, awarded a nine, in comparison to AJ’s eight, to journalist Dan Walker for his Rumba, a decision which prompted the Twitter outrage
Big reaction: ‘THAT was a 40!!! Cynthia, I loved you, but an 8. An eight, Dan gave Cynthia a 9. One frustrated user wrote on microblogging website: Cynthia, I love you but an 8, AN EIGHT when Dan gave me a 9??’
Routine: The presenter, 33, and her professional partner Kai Widdrington, 26, danced a Couple’s Choice to Make Me Feel by Janelle Monae, placing them second on the leaderboard with a score of 36
Comparison: Dan Walker and his partner Nadiya Bychkova received a score of 30 for their Rumba to Desperado by the Eagles
Cynthia was Cynthia’s second appearance as a judge, filling in for Motsi who said she would not be appearing on the panel after having been pinged by NHS Test & Trace.
Topping the leaderboard the week before the quarter-finals was John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, who wowed the judges with their Argentine Tango to The 5th by David Garrett.
He and his former Great British Bake Off Winner stole the show with an intense dance routine that earned them an impressive 39.
Craig exclaimed, “I absolutely loved it,” and the baker admitted he was thrilled with his exceptional score.
Stealing the show: Topping the leader board the week before the quarter-finals was John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, who wowed the judges with their Argentine Tango to The 5th by David Garrett
Blown away: The couple’s impressively intense routine scored them an almost perfect 39, with Craig gushing: ‘I absolutely loved it’
Delighted
Elsewhere, CBBC star Rhys Stephenson broke down in tears after his emotional Waltz to ‘You Light Up My Life’ by Whitney Houston, which saw him score 35.
Shirley commented, “You have astounded my heart. This was so beautiful. Your emotion was so real that I didn’t expect to feel it. Just wanted to hug you.
Craig began his routine, and the crowd cheered. He listed a few things that were not right with it.
He confessed: “For me, technically it’s for you, darling.
In his feels: Elsewhere, CBBC star Rhys Stephenson broke down in tears after his emotional Waltz to ‘You Light Up My Life’ by Whitney Houston
Emotional Score: Shirley gave him 35 points for his routine. Shirley said that it had been beautiful and that she was shocked by the results.
The tenth week of Strictly kicked off with a powerful Paso Doble by Rose Ayling-Ellis and her pro partner Giovanni Pernice.
The deaf actress, 27, and the Italian dancer, 31, performed the out-of-comfort-zone routine to Sia’s California Dreamin’, which received mostly positive feedback from the judges.
Head judge Shirley praised: ‘What a way to open the show. It’s a great show. Your dedication is admirable.
Strictly Come Dancing 2021 Rose Ayling Ellis and Giovanni Pernice opened week 10 of Strictly Come Dancing 2021 with a strong Paso Doble
Working hard: The deaf actress, 27, and the Italian dancer, 31, performed the out-of-comfort-zone routine to Sia’s California Dreamin’, which received mostly positive feedback from the judges
Craig returned to the panel following his positive test for COVID-19. Although he was impressed by the choreography, Craig wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic as the other judges.
It felt a little stiffer and more upright than I thought. I did not feel that you were moving as fast as possible,’ he stated.
Cynthia included sign language in some of her comments. She said, “You have this power within you that moves across a floor.” Well done.’
Their efforts earned them 33.
Welcome back: Cynthia made her second appearance on the judging panel, this week filling in for Motsi, who revealed she wouldn’t be on the show after being pinged by NHS Test and Trace
The penultimate routine of the evening was danced by Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin.
Gordon, the YouTuber’s TV Chef father, wept at the end their Samba to Levitating with Dua Lipa.
Shirley stated that she felt it required some tidying. A really great attempt at a difficult dance.
Ballroom star: The penultimate routine of the evening was danced by Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin
Emotional: The YouTuber’s famous TV chef dad Gordon wiped away tears at the end of their Samba to Levitating by Dua Lipa
Motsi (40) explained earlier this week that she has been triple-jabbed and she’s currently in Germany. However, due to UK Government guidelines which don’t recognize the vaccines, Motsi is unable to return to her home country.
Motsi’s latest news is coming a week after Craig Revel Horwood had to cancel last week’s program after testing positive for Covid-19.
Motsi posted the following tweet on Friday: “I’m gutted to have to miss this weekend of Strictly… Yesterday, NHS Test and Trace contacted me as they were in close contact on Sunday, November 21, who had since tested positive.”
Missing out: Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse revealed she won’t be on the judging panel this week after being pinged by track and trace
Being double vaccinated & booster as I am, would normally mean exemption from isolation under the ‘close contact’ rules, but unfortunately German EU vaccinations are not recognised and neither is my booster in this instance.
“So I must comply with UK Government Guidance. It is not possible to return until 30 November 2021. My health is paramount and I was tested several times during this week.
The only thing that really matters is my health and being with my loved ones. I wish everyone good luck, sending you my love. Keep dancing. Keep dancing.
According to government websites, the EU Digital Covid Certificate is not recognized as proof that a passenger has been vaccinated.
The show spokesperson confirmed that Cynthia Erivo, the guest judge who replaced Craig last week, would be returning to Moti’s seat.
Explanation: The professional dancer, 40, said although she has been tripled jabbed she must still isolate because her vaccinations which were done in Germany are not recognised