Paul Merson’s fans have spoken out in their droves to blast the decision-making process of BBC Strictly bosses after Week Five’s routines were announced.
The former Arsenal and Aston Villa midfielder has spent much of this year’s series lingering near the foot of the leaderboard each week – and even ended up in a dance-off in Week Three against Toyah Willcox.
But Week Four appeared to represent a shift in Merson’s Strictly story when he and pro dance partner Karen Hauer danced a Quickstep to I Won’t Dance by Fred Astaire.
Merson ended up with his highest score of the series so far with 23, avoided finishing at the foot of the leaderboard, and the routine saw him sail through to Week Five without having to dance again in the dance-off.
And all four judges acknowledged that the serious tone of the routine was a welcome change to Merson’s performances, with Anton Du Beke commenting: “I take my hat off to you entirely and to Karen as well.
“I have been in this position where I’ve danced with people and I’ve thought, ‘Here we go’… And you do everything you can to avoid actually dancing.
BBC Strictly: Paul Merson and Karen Hauer were praised for ditching the “joke” act persona on Saturday night
BBC
“When I watched you at the beginning I thought we could be going down this road but when you danced this, I think to myself, ‘Yes, this is great’. There wasn’t any irony in that at all. There was no ironicness. You did it seriously, you did it straight.”
Craig Revel Horwood chipped in to highlight that Merson’s “style, frame, gapping and heaviness” needed fixing but he also heaped on the compliments as he saw “progression” in Merson’s skills, adding that he was “loving the serious side”.
Motsi Mabuse said she had her “heart melted” to see Merson “trying to change the story” while Shirley Ballas similarly applauded the 56-year-old for ditching gimmicks.
However, following the release of the full list of songs and dances for the remaining contestants in Week Five, fans have been left furious to see Merson and Hauer have been tasked with performing a Samba to the song Car Wash by Rose Royce.
BBC Strictly: Paul Merson fans have accused bosses of forcing him into the “joke act” category
BBC
Several Strictly fans took to the show’s Instagram page to blast the combination as they fear the routine has been chosen to shoehorn Merse back into the “joke act” category.
“Back to giving Paul stupid dances again, trying to make him the joke act,” one outraged fan penned. “He was brilliant last week because he was given a proper song and dance!!”
Before long, other fans echoed the reaction, with one replying: “100% agree. He is better than they show. Need to stop with stupid music and costumes. Leave that for Halloween.”
“I agree totally unacceptable,” a third viewer raged before a fourth hit out: “The producers do it every single year – the best theme/ songs are given to the couples they want to go the further in the completion. The Paul & Puman of the world who don’t have huge fans base and are novice don’t stand a chance. I don’t know why they bother …”
And elsewhere, others predicted that Merson and Hauer are set for a spot in the dreaded dance-off, with one person suggesting: “Wynne and Paul BTM2 me thinks based off this.”
“Think it could be Paul and Pete at the bottom based on the dances,” added another. (sic)
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Sadly for Merson, it isn’t just upset fans who fear he may end up facing an early bath due to his song and dance combination as bookmakers currently price him as favourite to be sent home.
Merson’s currently a 5/4 frontrunner for the boot come Sunday evening, narrowly ahead of Punam Krishan at 3/1 and Wynne Evans at 7/2.
Betfred’s Kayley Cornelius said of Merse’s chances: “Sunday night’s dance-off once again showed that no stars are safe this series, with many surprised to see Shayne Ward fighting for his place in the competition against Nick Knowles.
“It seems that the popularity and likability of this year’s couples are arguably more important than the judges’ scores and their positions on the leaderboard.
“This is shown by Paul Merson, who has slogged through the competition so far, despite being stuck at the bottom of the leaderboard. It seems his fellow Arsenal fans and football pundits are backing the former England star to go far in his ballroom journey.
“However, despite defying the odds several times this series, Paul remains the bookies’ favourite to leave this weekend, priced at 5/4, as he continues to avoid what seems to be an inevitable exit. Close behind him is Dr Punam Krishan at 3/1. Although Punam shone during Movie Week, she slipped last weekend, making several mistakes.
“If she doesn’t pull it together by Saturday, it could once again come down to popularity between her and Paul to decide who ends up in the dance-off.”