Strictly Come Dancing has experienced its first major backstage drama of the series, with reports of singer Anastacia having a 'complete meltdown' during the recording of the first elimination show. The 48-year-old star found herself in the bottom two after being forced to change her dance routine late in the week due to tearing scar tissue from a previous mastectomy for breast cancer, which she has survived twice.
According to The Mirror, Anastacia broke down in tears backstage, delaying filming by 30 minutes. Her behaviour reportedly caused tension with dance partner Brendan Cole, with an audience member describing their body language as 'very frosty'. A female producer attempted to speak with Cole, but he refused to engage and was seen fuming, with fellow professional Anton du Beke stepping in to console him.
Ultimately, it was decided that no dance-off would take place due to Anastacia's injuries, marking the first time in Strictly's twelve-year history that a contestant was sent home without a dance-off. Melvin Odoom was eliminated instead.
