The Strictly Come Dancing cull has begun… and the drama wasn’t confined to just on the dancefloor.
Melvin Odoom and Janette Manrara are the first celebrity couple to leave the show but were denied a dance-off to save themselves after singer Anastacia was excused on medical reasons.
TV star and radio DJ Melvin Odoom hadn’t exactly set the scoreboard alight with his two dancers over the first two weeks of the BBC dance competition.
Anastacia had also found herself in the bottom two after the public had voted but managed to avoid going out at the first opportunity after complaining of ripping her double mastectomy scar.
"I'm going to do this again when nobody's judging me!"@AnastaciaMusic @BrendanCole https://t.co/Fyxv7piRYp
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 1 October 2016
On Saturday night’s main show due to injury sustained in training, Anastacia performed a modified version of her original routine following medical advice she received on Friday afternoon.
After she chose to perform the altered routine her injury was aggravated.
"It wasn't five star and it wasn't Faulty Towers" – Len #Strictly @melvinodoom@JManrara https://t.co/azKpgWuW32
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 1 October 2016
Under the rules of Strictly Come Dancing, if a contestant cannot dance, this means there cannot be a Dance Off.
This meant that the couple with the fewest viewer votes left the competition, leaving Melvin out on his ear.
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “There was no Dance Off tonight due to a confirmed injury.
“As per the Strictly Come Dancing rules if the Dance Off cannot go ahead then the result reverts to the viewer vote.”
Melvin was very philosophical about his exit: “I just need to say, every single person on this show; the contestants, the dancers, the production, the judges, everyone is absolutely amazing.
“It’s a blessing to be on the show and thank you for Janette, it’s been a great experience for me, thank you!”
His dance partner, Janette Manrara added: “In this industry, we get to meet a lot of different kind of people and I think Melvin is one of those individuals that you meet and never forget from the first moment you meet them.
“He’s got such a beautiful soul, such a gorgeous smile, an infectious personality and I just want to thank you for making this, although short, an extremely sweet journey amazing for me.”
Speaking about her injury, Anastacia said: “I danced on Saturday even though the doctor had advised me to rest after I ripped the scar tissue around where I had my double mastectomy.
“After that I was unable to dance again and I was devastated that I couldn’t take part in the Dance Off.
“I am so very sad to see Melvin and Janette go, they are the most the most wonderful pair and I will miss Melvin’s unique spirit and beautiful smile.”
Speaking after the show had finished Melvin said about the evening: “It was unexpected but I care about the people before everything else, I love Anastacia I think she’s a great woman, she’s a great role model and her health comes first before everything else.
“As much as this is a great show and competition, her health comes first; it’s the way it is.”