STRICTLY Come Dancing’s judges were under fire once again with fans blaming them for this week’s shocking elimination.
Despite Pete Wicks being the bookies favourite to leave Strictly this week, with him also falling to the bottom of the scoreboard, the Towie star was saved by the public vote.
Instead, the dance-off saw Jamie Borthwick and Montell Douglas go head-to-head for their place in the competition.
Jamie and pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas redanced their Foxtrot to Stand By Me by Ben E. King, before Montell and Johannes Radebe performed their Quickstep to Get Happy by Ella Fitzgerald.
The judges all shared how difficult the decision was, but ultimately all decided to save Montell and her pro partner, Johannes.
But fans think the unfair judgement of Jamie throughout the series influenced the result, accusing the four of overcriticising and undermarking the EastEnders star, “setting him up” for failure.
Venting their frustrations on X, one wrote: “The judges getting their wish. Constantly heavy criticising Jamie now he’s bottom 2 #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing #SCD”
“Jamie shouldn’t be in the dance off,” said a second. “I wasn’t a fan, but the awful criticism he has had from 3 the judges has been awful. Craig always critiques everyone fairly, but the others obvious bias.”
A third wrote: “So I see that the judges engineered scoring landed Jamie in the bottom two even though he is one of the best dancers in there. They used the same method they did with Shayne!”
While a fourth said: “The Judges had it in for Jamie all series. Will never know why.”
“i KNOW it’s popularity contest but the judges were complicit in this farce but under marking and over criticising him every week without fail,” wrote a fifth, adding, “He was not judged to the same standard as everyone else.”
Jamie, who had previously participated on a Christmas Special of the show, heaped praise on his pro dancer Michelle.
“Strictly is magic. That is all I can say. Strictly is magic. Not just everyone who you see in front of the camera, these four here [the judges], but everyone who works on this show,” he said.
“I have such a good bond and relationship with and that’s what made me want to do this show, it’s the people, not what I’m doing. I’ve had the best time.”
” I could ramble on all day about this one [Michelle],” he added. “She’s a new pro and she’s absolutely been the most amazing teacher.
“We have laughed like you wouldn’t believe. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone on the show, so thank you.”
