Strictly Come Dancing ‘fix’ row continued on Saturday night after judge Anton Du Beke made a ‘telling’ comment about Angela Rippon.
The Blackpool special saw the presenter, 79, return to the seaside resort after presenting the original version of the show, Come Dancing, in the 1980s and 1990s.
Together with professional partner Kai Widdrington she performed the American Smooth to Tea For Two by Ella Fitzgerald.
Afterwards Anton said: ‘That’s right up my street! I loved this, I almost didn’t care too much how it went because I enjoyed it so much.
‘The dresses, the suits, the extra dancers, the whole atmosphere, it was just perfect for tonight.
Wow! Strictly Come Dancing ‘fix’ row continued on Saturday evening after judge Anton Du Beke made a ‘telling’ comment about Angela Rippon
All smiles: The Blackpool special saw the presenter, 79, return to the seaside resort after hosting the original version of the show, Come Dancing, in the 1980s and 1990s
‘You looked great, you had a moment there where you were dancing and said, “This is amazing!”, you turned around and said, “Oh, who are you!” it was one of the extra dancers.”
He added: ‘It was so elegant, so refined and beautiful, I’m so glad you got to do it!’
Following his comments, fans told
Fans believed that Anton’s comments confirmed that last week’s result was planned.
One wrote on social media: ‘@bbcstrictly No way @TheAntonDuBeke. Angela Rippon didn’t deserve an 8. She created Blackpool. Now it’s time to go. #StrictlyComeDancing.’
A second added: ‘I almost didn’t care how it went. Anton. that’s a bit telling #strict!’
A third agreed: ‘Anton saying “I don’t really care how the dance went” says a lot about Angela #Strictly!’
‘Did Anton actually just admit that they don’t care what Angela R does, they love it anyway? #Strictly,” a fifth added.
Showtime: She performed Ella Fitzgerald’s American Smooth to Tea For Two with professional partner Kai Widdrington
Afterwards Anton said: ‘That’s right up my alley! I loved this, I almost didn’t care too much how it went because I enjoyed it so much. The dresses, the suits, the extra dancers, the whole atmosphere, it was just perfect for tonight’
Shock: Following his comments, fans took to X to say Anton ‘confirmed’ the BBC show had ‘fixed’ Angela from coming to Blackpool
Angela Rippon is back in Blackpool! The Strictly star presented Come Dancing at the Tower Ballroom in the 1980s and 1990s (pictured in 1998)
Another viewer wrote: ‘The fact that the judges are only now judging Angela R fairly after taking her to Blackpool just screams me out.’
Despite the ‘fix’ claims, Angela scored 28 to finish bottom of the leaderboard, while Layton Williams and Ellie Leach jointly finished top with 39.
The first Come Dancing program was broadcast in 1950 and presented by Peter Dimmock, with Leslie Mitchell as master of ceremonies.
Angela joined as a presenter a few years later alongside the likes of Terry Wogan, Judith Chalmers, David Jacobs and Rosemarie Ford.
Come Dancing ended in 1998. However, the success of the film Strictly Ballroom reignited interest in dance and Strictly Come Dancing was broadcast on the BBC in 2004.