Show the Strictly ‘kiss cheats’ quick step to the exit, voters are urged
Feminists join campaign to get scandal-hit dancers kicked off flagship show as viewers’ anger grows
THEY hung on to their place in the show by the skin of their teeth, but it is unlikely the Strictly cheats Seann Walsh and Katya Jones will dance again after this week if campaigners have their way.
While the judges have maintained that they will vote on dancing ability alone, feminist campaigners have urged the public to vote for any couple except the shamed pair.
After Walsh was accused by Rebecca Humphries, his furious former girlfriend, of emotional abuse and “gaslighting” as she publicly dumped him for kissing Jones on her birthday, campaigners have said he does not deserve to be on the show.
Karen Ingala Smith, the chief executive of nia, a domestic violence charity, said he “does not deserve to lift the glitterball” and hopes “the British public show their solidarity with Rebecca and withdraw their votes for him”.
Although Walsh denies the claims about his behaviour, many are following in Ms Ingala Smith’s footsteps and preparing to get rid of the comedian. “Everyone thinks they will likely be bottom of the viewers vote so likely to go this week anyway,” a show insider told The Sun. The campaign has grown in recent days and hundreds of viewers have posted on social media about their plans to vote the couple off.
Both the judges and the public decide who leaves the show; the scores from the judges are worked out at the end of the show and combined with the public vote. If Walsh and Jones get very few votes from the public, it is highly likely they will have to compete in the “dance-off” tomorrow, and have their ultimate fate decided by the judges.
Some angry fans of the show have predicted the pair could be in the dance-off for weeks before the judges decide they can leave.
Jonny Clarke said: “Without getting into the obvious moral wrongdoing, Seann and Katya should leave @bbcstrictly because even if they dance well frankly no one will care or vote! They will be in the dance-off every week until they go.”
Dave, another viewer, agreed, adding: “Of course, we could just vote for Seann and Katya’s dancing. Or we could put ourselves in the shoes of their humiliated partners and families and send them both a message?”
Some viewers warned the live audience during the show would boo the couple. Judge Craig Revel Horwood predicted a hostile reception, telling The Jonathan Ross Show: “My take was keep them in the show, make them do the ‘dance of shame’.”
Viewer Emma Hill said: “I think they’ll be booed. Personally, I believe Katya should’ve been made to leave the show, as the teacher she’s abused her position.
“Not to mention how she could’ve affected her husband’s performance who also works on the show.”
However, a campaign may not be needed to get rid of the unfaithful pair – Ore Oduba, a former winner, thinks the distractions caused by this week may hinder their dancing ability.
He said: “Good luck thinking about anything else other than the routine because that is a sure-fire way to leave.”
Lorraine Kelly, the television presenter, predicted the pair would be voted off.
She said on her show: “I think our viewers are right, I think they will be off, I think they will be voted out.” This is consistent with research from Ladbrokes, which has branded Walsh Strictly Come Dancing’s least popular contestant ever.
Alex Apati, of the bookmakers, said: “Seann Walsh certainly isn’t laughing now, with our latest figures revealing he’s the least popular contestant ever to take to the Strictly dance floor.”
The pair appear to have lost popularity among the professionals, which may be because Jones’s husband is a popular backup dancer on the show. Anton du Beke, the ballroom dancer, told RTE: “I’ll tell you one word, I’m a bit disappointed. I feel a bit like that about it really. Don’t drink. If that’s what happens, stop. What are you doing? Practice, don’t drink.”
‘Seann is certainly not laughing now with latest figures revealing he is the least popular contestant ever’