Aston Merrygold’s Strictly dance partner Janette Manrara asking fans to ‘be kind during hard times’ as she posts gushing tribute to him after shock elimination
ASTON Merrygold's Strictly dance partner Janette Manrara has asked fans to "be kind during hard times" following their their shock exit on Saturday night.
Strictly Come Dancing fans were aghast when the JLS star was booted off the BBC reality show.
Loyal viewers were so appalled by Head Judge Shirley Ballas' decision to keep Mollie King over Aston that they've branded the shoe a "fix".
Aston admitted he's "gutted" at having left the show and now Janette has posted a gushing tribute to her partner.
Sharing a sweet snap of the two of them smiling after a performance, she wrote: "Okay.... here goes... ❤️ I’ve finally gathered my thoughts on my time on @bbcstrictly w/ @astonmerrygold , and can now put them into words.
"Firstly, thank you to everyone for your supportive messages! They have put a huge smile in my heart!
"Kindness and understanding will always win during hard times, so let’s all be kind.
"As for Aston, from day 1, it was never about how it would end, it was always about how we got there.
"Every moment in that rehearsal room and on the ballroom floor was magical for me!
"There are few people that come into our lives that truly tick all the boxes, and Aston did.
She continued: "We worked very hard, but we also laughed very hard. It was short and sweet, but better to have danced w/ you for a moment, then to never have danced with you at all.
"Thank you for always being you and bringing so much joy to my work!
"I’m lucky to have had the chance to work with you. You are a true star, and have so much to offer the world!
"I cannot wait to see your journey as an artist, and also very soon (and most importantly) as a father! I love you..... #TeamMnM."
Meanwhile, The Sun exclusively revealed that Strictly bosses are "horrified" that Aston was sent home.
Some execs fear a viewers’ backlash over the decision to oust one of their most popular stars after judge Craig Revel Horwood harshly gave him a score of just four.
Many fans were already expressing outrage hours before the pre-recorded result was announced last night — after it was leaked online.
A source said: “Behind the scenes, the crew were left open-mouthed by the decision and feared it would spark a bad reaction from fans.
“Of course the public vote is a major factor but ultimately the judges make the final call.
“Some of the production team were totally horrified and even annoyed to see such a good dancer get the boot when there is so much more of the series left. It’s the biggest shock in the show’s history, without a doubt.”
Aston’s “gutted” mum also joined the outrage. Speaking from her home in Peterborough, Siobhan Merrygold, 49, told The Sun: “For me, it was way too soon for him to go out.”
Many close to the show believe he was penalised for his previous dancing experience, having been a judge on Sky’s Got To Dance.
Bookies had Aston, 29, partnered by pro dancer Janette, firm favourite from week one.
But they were in a bottom two dance-off against struggling Saturday’s star Mollie, with her pro AJ Pritchard.
Mollie had previously only narrowly avoided the chop. Yet after a tied judges’ vote, with Craig and Shirley Ballas opting to save Mollie, the new head judge used her deciding vote to oust the ex-boyband star.
The show has continued to be a huge ratings winner and was watched by 11.4million on Saturday, its highest figure so far this year.
But by yesterday morning, as news of the decision reached fans, hundreds vented their frustration online.
One raged: “They have definitely lost a lot of viewers.” Another said: “Strictly gone mad.”
Aston’s mum said he would find it difficult but his girlfriend Sarah Richards’s pregnancy would help to distract him.
She added: “He’s so, so excited about that. It’s due mid-January.”
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