Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington has appeared to have picked a side regarding the debate from viewers at home after Pete Wicks was saved over Montell Douglas during the quarter-finals.
Douglas and Johannes Radebe faced the dance-off against Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec on Saturday night.
The couple finished in the middle of the leaderboard with a score of 32 out of a possible 40 and unfortunately, her journey ended as all four judges decided to save Ghouri.
The result of this weekend’s elimination left Douglas in tears when speaking to Tess Daly and Radebe even appeared irked when taking to his Instagram account to express his devastation in a blunt five-word statement.
On the other end of the spectrum, Wicks and Jowita Przystal took to their own Instagram pages to express their gratitude and delight in making it through to the semi-finals.
The likes of Dianne Buswell, Carlos Gu, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola and several other pros reacted to Wicks’ and Przystal’s “incredible journey” statement with their praises and gratitude at seeing them progress.
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe became the 10th couple to be booted from the competition
BBC
However, Widdrington was notably absent from the comment section on both Wicks and Przystal’s posts (at the time of writing) and didn’t seem to share the same sentiment as his Strictly co-stars.
Whilst the Strictly team all claim that they are part of a family, Widdrington has only shared his support for Douglas and Radebe.
Radebe’s abrupt statement read: “My [purple heart emoji] @montytrackstar Thank you @bbcstrictly.”
Widdrington shared his devastation for the couple’s exit by liking the post and commenting with a red heart emoji and a crying emoji.
Pete Wicks caused outraged after he made it through to the semi-finals
BBC
His clear support for Radebe comes after Wicks made it to the semi-finals and left viewers calling for the current voting system to be overhauled.
Penning a statement on his Instagram account, he expressed: “I’ve been struggling to think of what to say and it’s not often I’m lost for words.
“I am so overwhelmed and blessed to have had your support over the past 3 months, I never expected it and I have never taken it for granted.
“The belief you guys have had in me has been incredible and at times I’m not sure I’ve deserved it. I’ve said it before but no amount of words will ever be able to repay what you have given me.
“People talk about the ‘journey’ and let me tell you, this isn’t my journey at all. It’s our journey. Jowita, you and I have all been on this wild ride and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
“I literally have no idea how I’m gonna get through next week but I can guarantee you I’ll be giving it my all. Thank you.”
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Several fans shared their frustration in Wicks still being in the competition as one X user slammed: “F***ING HELL!! Pete is through. HE IS A S**T DANCER! All those voting for him – Give your heads a severe wobble!”
Another added: “Surely even Pete knows it’s a bit of a p**s take now he’s near the finals and Tasha and Montell are in the dance-offs? Like come on now – and I like Pete so this is honestly nothing against him ’cause he’s a nice guy but please be real.”
A third said: “He’s not improved at all as this week showed. I’m all for non dance celebrities but they have to improve. He’s getting through on followers alone and nothing to do with any improvement in his dance which is what the show is about.”
Someone else fumed at those defending Wicks: “I’m voting for Pete because he doesn’t have any dance experience, Pete’s getting my vote because he’s never danced before unlike the others’… Why aren’t you voting for Montelle then?? She also had no dance experience but was actually a good dancer, unlike Pete.” (sic)