Strictly fans spot ‘outrageously rude’ star acting up in back of group shot at Blackpool week – did you see it?
ONE Strictly Come Dancing professional has infuriated fans by acting ‘outrageously rude’ behind the back of Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe.
The veteran star has sparked fury as viewers spotted him ‘acting up’ as he appeared to camera hog behind the duo on the BBC One show.
Eagle-eyed Strictly watchers were not impressed as Neil Jones fought for attention while Montell and Johannes were being interviewed by pulling bits off his costume and ‘trying to get in shot’.
One angry viewer wrote online: “So I’m catching up with Blackpool week and I can’t believe how unbelievably rude Neil was acting behind Montell and Johannes.
“He kept looking and talking to the camera, and touching Johannes for no reason. I have noticed this before but this was so obvious.”
A second fan noted: “He’s always forcing himself onto the camera.”
A third agreed: “Always! Once you know to look out for it you see him constantly edging his way into frame.”
While a fourth observed: “A few other professionals were acting odd/drunk too.”
Montell and Johannes performed a salsa to Don’t Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston.
They were left to fight for their place in the dance off against Wynne, who did a Charleston to Carmen Suite No. 1: 5. Les Toreadors by George Bizet.
The 38-year-old Gladiator bagged fourth place on Saturday’s leaderboard with dance partner Johannes Radebe, 37.
But following the public vote, the pair found themselves in the dance-off for the second time.
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas had their say and cast their vote.
Craig, Motsi and Anton all chose to save Montell, with Head Judge Shirley in agreement.
This meant that Wynne was the eighth celebrity to leave the show.
Fans have become frustrated that despite being a talented dancer, Montell has been penalised against other celebrities including ‘favourites’ Pete Wicks.
For the past nine weeks the public vote has helped Pete dodge the dance-off as he regularly languished at the lower end of the leaderboard.
Each week the judges’ scores are combined with the public vote, meaning even a couple who have scored poorly can be carried through by their popularity among viewers.
Pro dancer Neil Jones, 42, was sent home with partner Toyah Wilcox, 66, just a week after she was saved in favour of Olympic swimmer Tom, 24.
They were the second pair to leave the competition during their second dance-off during Movie Week, marking his first celebrity pairing since 2021.
It’s thought BBC chiefs are set to bin long-serving dancers after alleged abusive behaviour on the show.
Up to five professionals could face the axe next year in the wake of the scandal surrounding Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.
Strictly chiefs expect at least one pro to quit every two years and they have the power to leave others without a dance partner, effectively sidelining them.
The longest-serving pro is Karen Hauer, who first appeared in 2012, and at 42 is also the oldest. Neil is just two weeks younger.
He joined Strictly in 2016 along with Gorka Marquez, 33, and Katya Jones, 35.
Together with Giovanni and Nadiya Bychkova, 34, who signed up in 2017, they are all considered veterans.