BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers fume at star who 'clearly doesn't want to be there'

Paul and partner Karen performed the first salsa of the new series to Fireball by Pitbull.

BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers "feel so sorry" for Karen Hauer as Paul Merson "doesn't want to be there". Former Aston Villa FC star Paul and partner Karen performed the first salsa of the new series to Fireball by Pitbull.

But they didn’t manage to win over the judges as they scored 15 points overall. Taking to Twitter, now X, a BBC Strictly Come Dancing fan typed: “#Strictly somebody save Karen I feel so sorry for Karen. #scd #strictly.” Another fan pointed out: “Paul Merson clearly doesn’t want to be there #Strictly.”

Another said: “Would love it one year if they just let the “older” celebs like Paul Merson have a fair shot without turning them into the joke act. Not fair on them & not fair on the pro. #strictly.” Another said: "Kisses apart, Wynne and Katya were very accomplished and I love the guy. I suspect Katya put more work in than Karen did with Paul. Light and graceful for such a big man."

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"As someone who dances about as well as Paul, you don't need an excuse to be a poor dancer!" another said. A fellow fan typed: "OMG. What has the costume department got against Paul and Karen."

"Such an early start I was washing up whilst trying to watch the first dance. Looking like Paul will be the first to go on technique although of course may be saved by the public wanting a laugh for a couple more weeks," another wrote.

"I like Paul, but he was just walking about and chucking Karen in the air," wrote another. Giving feedback, judge Anton du Beke said: “I get so excited when you dance, it thrills me no end, there was no technique but full of surprises”.

Craig Revel Horwood said it was “like a comedy wedding dance, those shunts were terrible, glued to the floor while Karen danced around you but the lifts were good”. Motsi Mabuse said “your pants are off the hook, you entertained us, keep up the energy”.

Shirley Ballas concluded: “I’m a little lost for words but pure entertainment”.