Strictly Come Dancing professional Maddie Ingoldsby has received a wave of support after she and her partner, reality star Cach Mercer, found themselves in the bottom two during the latest results show.
The 21-year-old dancer and Mercer performed the Waltz to That Ain’t You by Mulaa Joans on Saturday night (November 7), but failed to impress all the judges. Craig Revel Horwood scored the routine a four, while Motsi Mabuse gave them an eight, Shirley Ballas a six, and Anton Du Beke an eight.
A 'scary' dance-off
Despite their score, the couple were forced to fight for their place in the competition during Sunday's dance-off against Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu. Bethany and Nancy ultimately left the competition after head judge Shirley used her deciding vote to save Cach and Maddie.
But that has not saved the couple from facing backlash online. Many of the brutal social media comments have been targeted at Maddie, with viewers criticising her routines.
Support from fans and fellow stars
However, Maddie has now received waves of support after reflecting on landing in the bottom two. Speaking in a TikTok video, she said: "I just wanted to come on here and say, first of all, thank you guys so much for all of your support, all of your love, all of your votes for me and Cach. And just helping us get through to another week. It honestly means the world."
She continued: "Thank you so much for voting for me and Cach 'cos that was scary. Very scary, I wouldn't wish that on anyone else. I don't want that to happen to anyone else 'cos it's really, really scary."
Former Strictly star Tasha Ghouri was among the people sharing words of support in the comments section. She wrote: "You are smashing it girly!!! Your choreo is beautiful and so refreshing, keep going!"
Someone else added: "You are absolutely smashing it with the choreography; fingers are crossed extremely you make it to Blackpool and do the live tour. We love you, Maddie."
Yet another fan praised Maddie's choreography, saying: "Smashing it & doing the most refreshing choreography! I don’t normally like the waltz but yours last night allowed me to sit and watch it. Keep doing you! Be proud of yourself & your partnership xxx".
And a final viewer said: "Fuming that you guys were in the dance-off! You two are incredible; keep going, girl! Your choreography is changing the show for the better; it’s genius and always beautiful."
Cach himself shared a sweet message for his co-star after the results show. He wrote on Instagram: "@maddieingoldsby you’re a magnificent human being and amazing at what you do, never forget that."
Strictly Come Dancing can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
