Aston Merrygold is reportedly being deliberately marked down on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The former JLS singer came under fire when he signed up to the ballroom and latin show over the summer as fans thought he was at an unfair advantage due to his previous dance training so, although he’s clearly one of the front runners in the competition this year, the judges have been penalising him because they don’t want viewers to lose interest.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ dance professional James Jordan – who quit the show in 2014 – said: "Aston’s dance was full of brilliant lifts and tricks.
"But the judges twist scores. Someone does an amazing performance and they don’t want them to run away with it. They did it with Danny Mac last year. I get irate about it.
"It’s meant to be about teaching someone who’s not danced before. You won’t see a Darren Gough or Mark Ramprakash win again."
But James’ wife Ola Jordan – who was also a professional on the programme until 2015 – doesn’t think the celebrities are to blame as the bosses shouldn’t pick them if they’re worried about there being an unfair advantage on those who haven’t ever danced before.
She added: "Blame ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ for picking them."
Last night’s results show saw ‘Holby City’ star Chizzy Akudolu – the first to leave – booted out of the competition after she failed to impress in the dance off against Brian Conley.
Speaking after her exit, Chizzy said: "Thank you to everyone who has supported."
And talking about her professional partner Pasha Kovalev, she added: "And this guy … this dude, I have loved every minute dancing with him and it will continue because I will just be going round his house to dance now.
"But I don’t have his address so if anyone could email me I would appreciate it! And thank you to the judges for the constructive criticism which I will take on board. Thank you."
Aston Merrygold being ‘marked down’ on Strictly Come Dancing
