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Strictly Come Dancing fans were unimpressed after seeing Richie Anderson and his professional partner Giovanni Pernice dance in “ridiculous” costumes on Saturday night.
Radio and TV personality Richie, 34, and Giovanni, 32, take the stage as Lion King characters Timon and Pumbaa for their Samba to Hakuna Matata as part of the BBC’s Ballroom Competition Film Week.
However, viewers were quick to criticize the show’s costume department, with many saying they couldn’t see the couple’s dance moves through their outfits.
Entertainers: Strictly fans were unimpressed after seeing Richie Anderson and his professional partner Giovanni Pernice dance in ‘ridiculous’ costumes on Saturday night
On Twitter, one person wrote: ‘Absolutely ridiculous! I know it’s movie week but those costumes meant you couldn’t see any detail and Richie was @bbcstrictly everywhere.”
Another viewer posted: ‘The costume department got Richie and Giovanni dirty tonight. Can’t we get rid of these ridiculous outfits? This makes the whole dance seem like a joke. Yes, I’m in a bad mood. #Strict.’
They got a score of five and another viewer shared, ‘RICHIE, Samba – well that was a thing. Flirting too much in the beginning. Visible flaws in the footwork, lots of timing issues, rather stiff arms and lack of bounce. Could just about see the hip action in those costumes. Character YES, technique NO. So. 5 #strict.’
Born to perform: Radio and TV personality Richie, 34, and Giovanni, 32, take the stage as Lion King characters Timon and Pumbaa for their Samba to Hakuna Matata
“Richie and Gio,” another audience member began, “I’m not sure I could actually see the dance behind those costumes, but heaps of fun, and whether he’s in a ridiculous costume or not, Gio gives good samba.”
Another wrote: ‘Fair play to Giovanni and Richie because they somehow managed to dance in those straight Amazon costumes. I’m dead #strictly.’
‘Richie and Giovanni got dirty with their costumes #Strictly,’ wrote another viewer. While someone else shared: ‘Richie and Giovanni’s costumes look so budget #strict.’
Dirty done: However, viewers were quick to criticize the show’s costume department, with many saying they couldn’t see the couple’s dance moves through their outfits.
After their performance, the first of the celebrity dances, host Tess Daly said: ‘What a great opener. You bring so much fun to this dance floor.’
Chief Judge Shirley Ballas said: “I don’t think I’ll ever see Giovanni the same again. First of all, a lot of content. Overall I have to say this is one of your best songs yet.’
Meanwhile, Craig Revel-Horwood said, “For me, it lacked fluidity, honey, there had to be more bounce. I absolutely loved the characterization.’
Positive words: After their performance, the first of the celebrity dances, host Tess Daly said: ‘What a great opener. You bring so much fun to this dance floor’
Points mean prizes? Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke awarded the pair a total of 27 points out of 40.
Fellow judge Motsi Mabuse added: ‘What a way to start the movie night, I think you played the character so well.’
Radio DJ Zoe Ball cheered from the crowd as the pair scored 27.
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell topped the standings on Saturday, with the pair scoring an impressive 38 out of 40 points with their Charleston to Flash, Bang, Wallop! of half a sixpence.
Moving on: The pair have brushed aside recent rumors of a behind-the-scenes feud – after reports they ‘didn’t click off the camera’
It comes after Richie and Giovanni were plagued by rumors of a merged camera, with sources saying: The sun that professional dancer Giovanni became frustrated because Richie didn’t listen to him during rehearsals.
An insider said: ‘The couple didn’t click. Richie gets so carried away with the whole experience that he speaks 100 words a minute, and it can be difficult for Giovanni.
“He’s been telling his friends that Richie talks instead of listening during training, and that’s frustrating.”
They then added that it was still early days and they still had to get used to each other: “Giovanni thinks Richie has real potential in the competition.”
However, a source close to the couple told MailOnline: “It’s bullshit that they don’t get along. They can laugh so much and were overjoyed with the reactions on Saturday night.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 7:20pm on Sunday – when a couple are eliminated from the competition for the second time this season.
In their element, however, a source close to the couple told MailOnline: “It’s nonsense to talk about not getting along. they laugh like that