Strictly Come Dancing's Ed Balls declines Honey G’s dance-off challenge

The X Factor rapper proposed a face-off with the Strictly survivor on Saturday night
Dance-off: Ed Balls has declined the offer of a dance battle with Honey G
BBC / Guy Levy
Ben Travis23 November 2016

Just when you thought 2016 was about to peak with a dance-off between Ed Balls and The X Factor’s Honey G, the surprise Strictly mainstay has dashed those hopes.

Honey – real name Anna Georgette Gilford – challenged Balls to a dance-off during Saturday night’s X Factor live show, after hearing that the former Shadow Chancellor had mentioned her in the press.

“I’d like to challenge Ed Balls to a dance off. Challenge me any day,” she said. “He knows where I am!”

Asked about Honey G’s offer on ITV’s Lorraine, Balls was hesitant to enter into a face-off with the ‘North Weezy’ rapper.

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“I’ve spent 10 weeks trying to avoid the dance-off – and so far I have,” he said.

“Look, the [Strictly] judges are pretty tough on me, so if I’m in a dance off then I’m out.

“I’m afraid, my answer is that I’m trying to avoid dance-offs at the moment.”

Speaking to the Daily Star last week, Balls said he was ‘aware’ of the Honey G phenomenon.

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“I’ve seen a couple of YouTube videos,” he said.

“I am not sure what to say! As [Strictly judge] Craig [Revel Horwood] would say: ‘OMG!’ All I will say is that I think I am getting better.”

The X Factor has been embroiled in controversy after the judges opted to save Honey G in the sing-off over Scottish 20 year-old Ryan Lawrie.

The pair performed against each other on Sunday night’s episode, with Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh all voting to keep Honey G in the competition.

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