Aston Merrygold has been booted off ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 29-year-old singer – who is known for being in the boy band JLS alongside Marvin Humes, Oritse Williams and KB Gill – is the sixth celebrity contestant to leave the BBC One talent show on Sunday night (05.11.17).
The ‘Everybody In Love’ hitmaker went head to head with The Saturdays band member Mollie King in the dreaded dance off, and though judge Darcey Bussell believes both celebrities performed better than the previous evening, the critiques had divided opinions on who to send home, as Bruno Tonioli and Darcey were keen to save Aston and his professional dance partner Janette Manrara.
When giving their verdict, Darcey said: "I so wish I didn’t have to choose between these two wonderful couples I so enjoyed their performances and both of them improved their game. The couple I’d like to save based on a more assured performance is Aston and Janette."
Bruno added: "I want you both to stay! If it was up to me I would keep you both because you’re both wonderful, both much improved, you all seem to have ironed out a lot of little problems you had on Saturday night but one couple really, I felt transformed their performance tonight and it had much more power, much more impact, it flowed more and for that reason I would like to save Aston and Janette."
However, head judge Shirley Ballas and Craig were not impressed with Aston’s Viennese Waltz, which he performed to the Jackson 5’s ‘Who’s Loving You’ hit, because the musician’s "technique" was not up to standard.
Craig said: "Both couples improved on the night which was wonderful to see but based purely on technique for me, the better dance of the evening goes to Mollie and AJ."
Although the judges votes were combined with the public vote it was Shirley who had the final say on who would leave the show.
Shirley said: "Well again a very difficult choice, two fantastic couples and it’s very difficult to do. On technical accuracy, beautiful flow and full engagement during the dance, I’m saving Mollie and AJ."
But Aston was not bitter about the decision as he admitted he has had "the best time" on the show, and is glad he has made some "amazing friends".
Aston said: "Honestly, every second of this, I’ve had friends who have done the show before and they’ve gone ‘you’re going to have the most amount of fun from start to finish whatever it is’ and honestly they weren’t lying! Everything, from this lady to every single person in here, these four judges, yourself, Claudia, all you amazing lot up there that I get to see and spend so much time with. I’ve made some amazing friends and honestly I’ve had the best time, it’s been amazing."
And Janette has praised the artist for being "so talented, so lovely [and] such a good friend", and she doesn’t think she will ever get partnered with someone like him again.
The expert said: "I just have to say, honestly I don’t think that I am ever going to have the opportunity to dance with someone like you again. Someone who is so talented, so lovely, such a good friend and I just have to say thank you. Thank you, he is one of the most talented individuals I have ever met. You have so much to offer to the world of entertainment and I hope that this is just a small pebble to what you’re going to bring the world because you are amazing. You’re amazing."
Aston Merrygold booted off Strictly Come Dancing
