JAMIE DODGER
Strictly fans insist reality star should have got the boot rather than GMB journalist Ranvir
STRICTLY has sparked fury after Jamie Laing went through to the final at the expense of Ranvir Singh.
Despite it being Made in Chelsea star Jamie’s fourth dance- off and Ranvir scoring higher, Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas voted to save him.
It caused a furious backlash from celebrities and fans of the BBC show.
Former Strictly professional James Jordan said on dance quality “there is no comparison, Ranvir was better.”
Ranvir’s Good Morning Britain colleague Piers Morgan branded her exit a “travesty”. Ex-judge Arlene Phillips said of Ranvir: “Big fan. Sorry to see her go.” Her Strictly professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice said she had been “an absolute dream to work with”.
Strictly’s Anton du Beke heaped praise on Ranvir on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch. He said: “Her dancing has been some of the best we’ve ever had. Her poise is remarkable.” When host Steph McGovern said she was “robbed”, Anton jokingly concurred, shouting: “Robbed!” But he added: “Jamie seemed to up his game, which is a terribly difficult thing to do.”
Jamie reached the final with pop singer Hrvy Cantwell, comedian Bill Bailey and EastEnders star Maisie Smith.
Casting the deciding vote, Ballas said Jamie and pro Karen Hauer “had a little more determination, a little bit more ‘I’m not leaving without that trophy’.”
Yesterday Katya Jones said she and ex-boxer Nicola Adams have “put everything” into their dance for the final. The show’s first same-sex pairing, who left after Katya tested positive for Covid-19, will perform a non-competitive routine.
Her dancing was some of the best we’ve had on the show... her poise is just remarkable
ANTON DU BEKE STRICTLY PRO PAYS TRIBUTE TO CONTESTANT RANVIR SINGH