Show in a flap as feather furore mars underwhel...

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Published Time: 04.11.2024 - 02:41:00 Modified Time: 04.11.2024 - 02:41:00

Sam Quek’s elimination was not a deal-breaker for Strictly die-hards, but overall the results night was an up-and-down affair 3/5 PA Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One) had another feather-ruffling controversy this week as animal rights activists accused the show of butchery in the name of bling

Sam Quek’s elimination was not a deal-breaker for Strictly die-hards, but overall the results night was an up-and-down affair

3/5

: PA

Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One) had another feather-ruffling controversy this week as animal rights activists accused the show of butchery in the name of bling. Animal rights organisation Peta has protested the use of feathered outfits in dancers’ costumes, which the organisation described as “gory not glamorous”.

It’s the latest wrinkle for Strictly, which has already had its wholesome image tarnished by the Amanda Abbington-Giovanni Pernice spat. And now a furore over feathers. Can the beleaguered ratings monster catch a break?

A fairytale ending may yet come to pass—but not for the time being. A first-ever Icons weekend served up another contentious moment as two of the season’s more solid celebs, Sam Quek and Montell Douglas, were relegated to the dance-off despite thoroughly outperforming bottom-rung hoofer Pete Wicks.

With viewers coming out in support of the puckish Pete, Sam and Montell were left to duke it out in an underwhelming episode. They gave it their best – only for Sam to receive the dreaded thumbs down from the judges. Her elimination won’t be a deal-breaker for Strictly die-hards who’ve stuck with the series despite all the flying skin and hair (and feathers).

: PA

But a frustrating evening will surely tarnish the show’s reputation, with adjudicator Anton Du Beke pointing out that Sam and Montell were both potential finalists. His misgivings were echoed by Motsi Mabuse. “It just feels like we’re losing girls – what is happening?”

Plucky hockey gold medallist Quek had chosen Taylor Swift as her icon and, accompanied by pro Nikita Kuzmin, performed an American Smooth to Swift’s Love Story. Alas, this was an era she’d rather forget, as the love story concluded with Montell (and partner Johannes Radebe) receiving a clean sweep of votes from the judges for their waltz to Whitney Houston.

: PA

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