Strictly Come Dancing fans threaten to 'kick off' as they slam show as 'fix'

Sam Quek was the latest celebrity to be shown the exit door on Strictly Come Dancing this Sunday, with fans blaming 'unfair scores' and suggesting another star should have been sent home instead.

The judges, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, gave their verdicts on the first ever Icons Week on Strictly Come Dancing this Saturday.

After her American Smooth performance, both Sam Quek and Nikita were praised by the judges for their resilience following a minor hiccup last week. Consequently, they received a total score of 29 out of a possible 40.

However, this surprisingly placed Sam at the bottom of the leaderboard alongside Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe. Gladiator Montell also impressed the audience with her Waltz to Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You, earning her a total score of 35.

Both Montell and Sam faced the dreaded dance-off this Sunday, November 3, with the judges unanimously voting to save Montell and Johannes. The results left fans outraged, as they felt that Sam had been underscored by the judges initially.

Many expressed their disappointment on Twitter. One fan wrote: "Pete should have gone home this week, he was atrocious. Yes I've read the spoiler and I'm really cross. The other pair should NEVER have been anywhere near the dance off."

A second shared their outrage: "This bottom two when Wynne and Pete are right there?" while a third threatened, "If we don't see Wynne or Pete in the dance off next week i am gunna kick off."

Echoing the sentiment, a fourth remarked, "I need Pete to be the dance off next week. We're losing decent dancers and he's just not there." Another said: "#strictly pete shayne and wynne were the weakest!"

Ahead of Sunday's results, a leaked Strictly spoiler had irked fans who took to social media to voice concerns over bias, with one viewer alleging judge favouritism after judge Shirley Ballas' comments. They shared: "She was so vocal about it. They should now be honest about it if it is all female dance off. Males favoured!"

Another added: "Sam and Montell should never have been in the dance-off. There's some mediocre men that should have been there. Very unfair as they were both what strictly is about. Loved watching them both progress."

Discussing her Strictly Come Dancing experience, Sam said: "I'm gutted, I just want to say thank you. I've learned so much. Strictly has just brought that spring in my step back. It's just been an absolute joy.

"Nikita, you've been key in helping me find that inner Sam that was there, who went a little bit quiet for maybe one or two years and has just come back. I'm gutted because I do feel like I still have more to give."

Her dance partner, Kuzmin, responded: "I'm just in awe of this girl. Sometimes they say it's about the journey, not the destination, but to me it's about the company. Sam you are the most wonderful company I could have had."