Fight with Gorka? No cha-chance
Aston hits back at judge Craig after shock Strictly KO
ALEXANDRA Burke has branded reports she has fallen out with her Strictly Come Dancing partner Gorka Marquez as “ridiculous”.
The former X Factor winner – who bagged 39 points for their cha cha cha on Saturday, placing them second on the leaderboard – said the duo are so close she can tell what he is thinking just by looking in his eyes.
She told the Radio Times: “He’ll give me a certain look and I’ll know exactly what he’s thinking – I did well on a tricky step, I messed up a move, I need to go in a certain direction...
“There have been stories in the newspapers that we’ve fallen out, which are just ridiculous. We are such close friends, I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had a connection with someone like this before.”
ASTON Merrygold yesterday told how he laughed in disbelief at judge Craig Revel Horwood’s miserable score of four on Strictly Come Dancing.
The JLS hunk and Janette Manrara, who had been among the favourites to win, were axed for their 70s-themed Viennese Waltz.
Aston, 29, said: “When I watched it back I saw I laughed at the four. I didn’t realise it was that s***.
“I didn’t realise it was that bad. I thought it was pretty good – just as good as any other ballroom dance.
“But I’m not the professional, I’m not able to mark.”
But he said he respected Craig, adding: “He’s in that chair, giving scores for a reason.”
Janette, 33, burst into tears offcamera after what fans called the show’s biggest shock exit.
Aston said: “I was gutted because I felt like I’d let Janette down. She was upset.”
It was head judge Shirley Ballas’s casting vote that sent Aston home after a dance-off against The Saturdays’ Mollie King.
He approached Shirley later and said it was “awkward” for her. But he avoided asking about her decision, adding: “I said: ‘Thanks very much, I’ve learnt a lot.’”
Asked if he thought judges had favourites, Aston said: “I hope not.”
Craig, 52, bowed down to Debbie McGee for her tango, which scored a perfect 40. Aston is backing his “incredible” former rival on X Factor, Alexandra Burke, to win.