Strictly Come Dancing Sparks Fix Accusations as Pete Wicks Escapes Elimination Despite Low Scores
Strictly Come Dancing fans were left “speechless” after Sunday night’s results show (17 November), with some accusing the competition of being “fixed” following an unexpected outcome, according to GB News.
The elimination episode, which followed Saturday’s dazzling live broadcast from Blackpool, saw opera singer Wynne Evans and Gladiators star Montell Douglas in the bottom two. After the dance-off, all four judges unanimously voted to send Evans and his partner Katya Jones home.
However, the biggest shock of the night was the survival of Pete Wicks, star of The Only Way is Essex, who found himself safe despite landing at the bottom of the leaderboard. Wicks and his professional partner Jowita Przystal appeared visibly stunned when their names were announced.
Wicks performed a Cha-cha-cha to Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy,” a routine that entertained the judges but drew criticism for its numerous mistakes. Craig Revel Horwood was particularly unimpressed, scoring him just 4 out of 10.
Fans were quick to voice their disbelief on social media. “Am surprised #PeteWicks is through. He made so many mistakes,” one viewer commented. Another called his survival “criminal,” adding, “Pete Wicks still being on Strictly is outrageous.”
Many accused the show of manipulating the competition to ensure Wicks stayed in, given his performance was described as “absolutely awful” by some. “Talk about fixing this competition, how the hell did Pete Wicks stay out of the bottom two?” one viewer questioned, while others attributed his safety to his strong fanbase.
The remaining contestants in the 2024 series include Montell Douglas, Sarah Hadland, Pete Wicks, Tasha Ghouri, Chris McCausland, JB Gill, and Jamie Borthwick.
After his elimination, Wynne Evans expressed gratitude for his time on the show. “If I can come and do Strictly and last until week nine, then anybody can get out there and dance and have a brilliant time,” he told host Tess Daly. He also praised the show’s legacy, calling it a “wonderful, wonderful thing.”
Katya Jones, Evans’ partner, added, “The smile hasn’t left my face since the first day of our training, since the day we got partnered up.”
As tensions rise and the competition heats up, fans are left debating whether the voting system reflects true talent or simply fan loyalty.