Strictly fans brand show a fix as fan favourite Will Mellor gets the boot ahead of final in shock result

FURIOUS Strictly Come Dancing fans have branded the show a fix after Will Mellor got the boot tonight.

The actor, 46, has narrowly missed out on a place on the final after a tense dance-off against Fleur East, which saw head judge Shirley Ballas have the deciding vote.

The remaining four couples - Fleur and Vito Coppola, Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal, Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu, Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez - will take to the dancefloor next week for the final

Following the shock results fans rushed online to complain, with one person tweeting: “Definitely seems there was a conspiracy to get rid of #willmellor.

“It’s hard to think of contestant who’s ever received such a battering in a semi final. His paso wasn’t that bad from others & he’s topped leaderboard more times than anyone but Fleur. Snobbery? #Strictly.”

A second said: “The judges were overly harsh and clearly showed favouritism to others.  #Strictly #WillMellor #NancyXu #StrictlyComeDancing.”

"Fix!! I’d have definitely saved Will #strictly," added a third.

Tonight saw both couples perform their favourite routine of the night again.

Fleur and her dance partner Vito Coppola performed their Charleston to Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano by Fiorello, while Will and his dance partner Nancy Xu performed their Couples’ Choice to a 90s Manchester inspired medley, in a bid to impress the judges and make it through to next week’s Grand Final.

Both Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse opted to save Fleur, while Anton Du Beke chose to save Will and Nancy.

The split meant Head Judge Shirley Ballas had the casting vote, and she decided to save Fleur and Vito. 

She said: “First of all, the British public has spoken and with respect I take that on board. My fellow judges have decided that they don’t agree, so I have made lots of notes here, both couples were outstanding and not only today but through the series.

“I have loved both of them, this is by far, even for me Craig, the most difficult decision I feel I have had to make. Based on micro details, I have decided to save Fleur and Vito.”

After his exit, Will said: “I have to thank you all for giving me this chance to put a smile on my mums face, she deserves it. I’ll take whatever I have learnt from this show forward in whatever I do because it shows you can achieve more than you think.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to get anywhere near this and I am so proud of what we have achieved but also everybody who has voted for me, who has supported me, the messages I’ve had from my local community and children. Thank you all so much, we really, really appreciated every bit.”

Tonight’s episode also saw Lewis Capaldi performed his latest single Pointless, alongside a stunning routine from professional dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Katya Jones.

The remaining four couples will take to the dancefloor next week for the final time as they bid to lift the Glitterball Trophy.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Final will air live on Saturday 17th December at 7.15pm, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.