Strictly Come Dancing fans furious as Shirley Ballas sends home Alex Scott over Chris Ramsey
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were left fuming this evening as head judge Shirley Ballas made the decision to send home Alex Scott and her pro partner Neil Jones over comedian Chris Ramsey and partner Karen Hauer.
The sports star, who has grown in confidence throughout the series, landed in Sunday night's dance-off alongside Chris Ramsey but became the latest to lose her place - missing out on a place in the semi-final.
Those watching at home were not happy with the decision and took to Twitter to discuss it.
One person wrote: “Absolutely fuming. Voted in the middle of downing shots last night to save @AlexScott & @Mr_NJones - what a genuinely lovely novice dancer! #Strictly #Strictly2019”
Another added: “The head judge rule is the worst. In the event of a draw why not go back to public vote to see who got less votes? And make them have a dance off to the same song!! #Strictly.”
While someone else added: “I've said it before, I'll probably say it again; Shirley Ballas should have her head judge privileges revoked. Time after time she continues to fail on delivering accurate appraisals. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
They performed their samba to Joyful Joyful from the Sister Act musical, which had earned them the lowest score of the night (27) during Saturday's musicals-themed quarter-finals.
Head judge Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli opted to save Chris and Karen while Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse named Alex and Neil as the couple they wanted to save.
Shirley, who has the final deciding vote, said: "This is a very, very difficult decision. Both couples danced extremely well and, for me, it's going to go personal taste, and I'm going to go with the couple that I felt had the most content and more powerfully entertaining, and therefore I am saving Chris and Karen."
Bruno said the "stronger overall, more convincing, powerful entertaining couple is Chris and Karen", who performed their foxtrot to Consider Yourself from Oliver!
Craig said he had "loved the refreshing fusion of this particular dance and the fact that the dance was performed very, very well" when he named Scott and Jones as his couple to save.
Speaking to Strictly host Tess Daly after she got the boot, Alex said: "I've been a fan of Strictly forever, so to even be here and dance here every week.
"I've loved every moment and I have to thank everyone, and everyone behind the scenes to make this show work.
"I've literally lived out another dream - I had football and then this chapter. I have to thank my dance partner, he's incredible. Thank you to everyone.
"I'm proud of the whole process, I'm proud of the struggle and I'm proud that people got to see me. Thank you for having me."
Neil, who had his first celeb partner this year, said: "I've been so lucky because I got a partner. And, I got you, you were the best. You were so good. She's taught me so much."
According to overnight ratings provided by the BBC, the show's quarter final was watched by an average of 9.4 million viewers, with a peak audience of 10.4 million.
Highlights from the Saturday night episode included Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden scoring the first perfect score for the current series for their jive.