STRICTLY SHOCKER
Strictly Come Dancing’s Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara break down in tears on It Takes Two
STRICTLY Come Dancing's Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara became emotional as they discussed their shock exit with Zoe Ball on It Takes Two.
Strictly Come Dancing fans were aghast when the JLS star was booted off the BBC reality show.
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The JLS star was in the dance off with Mollie King but the judges were tied about who to send home.
Loyal viewers were so appalled by Head Judge Shirley Ballas' decision to keep Mollie over Aston that they've branded the show a "fix".
Janette and Zoe broke down in tears and Aston struggled to maintain his composure as they watched their best bits from their Strictly journey.
Aston said: "I'm honestly gutted, but you just have to take it on the chin.
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"It's such a brilliant show and I said from day one if I have to leave, I'm happy I got the chance to do it in the first place."
When asked about getting a low score of four from Craig Revel Horwood, he said: "When we got the four I laughed. I was like, 'Is that a four?'
"To me, it didn't even feel as bad as that. It was just the shock of it."
Janette said: "Everyone is entitled to an opinion, those scores are the judges' opinions. I don't agree at all with the score, but you have to respect his opinion, his number and thoughts and take it as it comes."
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Their appearance comes after Janette 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!
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"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.
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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!
Aston Merrygold is eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2017
"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."
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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.
Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara dance the Waltz on Strictly Come Dancing
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.
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“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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara perform the Viennese Waltz on Strictly Come Dancing
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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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