Strictly Come Dancing 2017 hit by 'fix' claims after Alexandra Burke survives second dance-off as Davood Ghadami misses out on semi-final of show

The EastEnders actor failed to impress with his Argentine Tango
Out: Tess Daly with Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova
BBC / Guy Levy
Emma Powell4 December 2017

Strictly Come Dancing was accused of being 'fixed' by disgruntled viewers after EastEnders star Davood Ghadami lost out on a place in the semi-final.

The 35-year-old actor and his partner Nadiya Bychkova were pitted against Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez after the two couples received the fewest public votes during musicals week.

Ghadami’s Argentine Tango to Phantom Of The Opera was heavily critiqued with head judge Shirley Ballas slating his “stumbling” while Craig Revel Horwood accused him of not leading the dance.

Burke’s Charleston to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from Mary Poppins was deemed the better dance with the judges voting unanimously to save her.

Last dance: Davood Ghadami dancing the Argentine Tango
BBC/ Guy Levy

On leaving the competition Ghadami said: “There have been so many highlights I’ve had the best time and this is why I’m smiling because I never thought I’d get this far. We’re all mates, every comment good or bad I’ve appreciated. To dance in front of audiences like this has been a real gift. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m going to spend the next two weeks dancing with my two beautiful girls at home.

Speaking about Bychkova, he said: “This is her first year on this show and I think she’s done incredibly well. She’s a brilliant partner and a great teacher and now she’s a really, really good friend.”

Bychkova said: “A big big thank you and I’m such a lucky girl to have you as my partner and it’s such a privilege to be part of your journey. You came so far and I’m so proud of you.”

Fix claims: Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez
BBC / Guy Levy

The decision angered viewers who accused the show of being 'fixed' in favour of Burke.

One fan tweeted: “Quite shocked to hear Davood and Nadiya are out can’t help but feel a fix somehow #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”

Another wrote: “#strictly What a surprise, judges vote their favourite through again, what a fix.”

Burke, who survived last week’s dance-off against Susan Calman, finished Saturday night's show at the top of the leader board after her “practically perfect” routine.

But she had to share top spot with Debbie McGee who also scored 39 points for her American Smooth to Memories from Cats with Giovanni Pernice.

The dance received a standing ovation from Ballas who said it would be “a memory etched in everybody’s heart”.

Standard Online has contacted the BBC for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 - In pictures

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Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 6:45pm

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