Furious Strictly Come Dancing viewers are threatening to 'boycott' the rest of the series after Aston Merrygold's shock exit. The former JLS singer and his partner, Janette Manrara, were sent home after a controversial dance-off while 'worse dancers' remained in the competition.
Viewers were quick to single out This Morning presenter Ruth Langsford, who was bottom of the leaderboard, but avoided the dreaded dance-off. Ruth shocked viewers by collapsing on top of Anton Du Beke last night, but came out on top over Aston when her score was combined with the viewers' vote, leading to the 'absolute farce'.
Aston became the sixth celebrity to leave Strictly in potentially the biggest shock in the show's entire history. He got the chop after being placed in a controversial dance-off with fellow singer Mollie King which completely divided the judges, leaving Shirley Ballas to send Aston home with the casting vote.
But viewers were outraged that the judges had been put in such a horrible position and claimed people needed to vote for 'talent and not laughs'. The only thing the judges were in agreement over was the fact that the wrong two couples were in the bottom two. Darcey Bussell, who chose to save Aston and Janette, said: 'I so wish I didn't have to choose between these two wonderful couples.'
Some Strictly fans argued that Ruth Langsford and Susan Calman were amongst those that should have gone before Aston. One viewer said: 'The format is a farce. Aston is easily one of the best dancers. People voting for panto dancers should be ashamed.' Another added: 'I like Ruth but she’s had her stint that’s enough now she’s had a good run! Come on ppl vote for talent not laughs!!'
While other viewers threatened to stop watching the show after the shock exit. One angry viewer said: 'What a f***ing joke! May have to boycott now. I thought it was a talent show. Obviously still a popularity contest.' In a monumental shock he was sent home by Shirley Ballas' casting vote.
