BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers criticised pro dancer Neil Jones after an awkward moment between him and fellow star Amy Dowden was caught on camera, when he held his hands on her hips before she moved away from him.
Neil, 44, was standing with Amy, 36, in the background after Lacey and Vito's rumba, as host Johannes interviewed the dancers about their routine. Welsh dancer Amy, wearing a short purple dress adorned with a poppy, was all smiles as she danced on the spot and applauded while Vito and Lacey came up the stairs to chat to Johannes.
Viewers react to the on-screen moment
She could be seen in the shot just behind the host as part of the cheering crowd of pro dancers, while Neil's hand was firmly glued to her shaking hips as she moved around. Still smiling, Amy appeared to look down, clock Neil's hand and then turned to the female dancer next to her, subtly pulling away as she moved her arm and motioned to the woman in burgundy to take her arm instead.
The woman then reached behind her back and grabbed Amy's other hand and pulled it onto her hip, locking the pair's hands and arms tightly together while Neil then stood awkwardly next to them. The moment did not go unnoticed by Strictly viewers.
@bethyj118 said: "Neil is a bit slimy isn't he #strictly"
@angrybritain said: "You'd have thought following the week we've had with Russell Brand, Neil would be mindful to be keeping his hands to himself no? Poor Amy, that wasn't awkward at all was it? #StrictlyComeDancing"
@danburnFC added: "Share it, retweet it, clip it up. What a creep"
@notmykind_said: "Poor Amy's been through enough!!"
@llwynbedw said: "What's he still doing there? He doesn't serve any useful purpose. Always been annoying."
Neil's later hosting segment also draws criticism
Later in the episode, Neil took a turn at hosting, appearing to replace Johannes for a segment after a dance, which also failed to impress viewers.
@scott_wortley added: "Strictly keeps putting Neil on screen and then getting him to do stuff. They keep trying but they are not going to make him a thing."
@noroutinehere said: "How many times are they going to do the bit with Neil taking over from Johannes upstairs? It was barely funny the first time around."
But not everyone was unhappy to see Neil on screen. In fact, @hanishaSethi demanded that the BBC actually give him more screen time.
She said: "Can Neil Jones please have a permanent spot presenting on Strictly Come Dancing? He's a natural! #strictly #bbc #strictlycomedancing"
@tracydavie88980 added: "He could be a judge or take over from jojo."
Background on Neil and Amy
Neil was married to fellow Strictly pro Katya Jones for six years before the pair split following a photo of Katya kissing her series partner Seann Walsh. Jones is now married to Love Island star Chyna Mills and the pair have a daughter.
Amy was forced to miss a series of Strictly following a cancer diagnosis and later had a second mastectomy.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Sunday evening on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for the results show, where another pair will be sent home.
