The new season of Strictly Come Dancing is already off to a dramatic start after Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu was eliminated, amid accusations of racism from viewers.
After a tearful farewell on the show, Chizzy took to Twitter to express her disappointment, and found sympathy from last year’s first contestant out, Melvin Odoom.
Read more: Strictly reject Chizzy pours her heart out on Twitter following elimination
“If anyone knows what you’re going through it’s me…you gave it your all @chizzyakudolu and that’s all you can do…we love you #Strictly,” the presenter tweeted.
Melvin was the first eliminated on the last season of the hit show, after dancing the Cha-Cha-Cha with partner, Janette Manrara.
They were sent into elimination against singer Anastasia and her partner, Brendan Cole but, due to injury, Anastasia pulled out of the dance off, so the judges made their selection based solely on the public vote.
After Melvin left the show he was swiftly followed by EastEnders star Tameka Empson and newsreader Naga Munchetty, and the elimination of three people of colour in the first weeks of the show drew accusations of racism from viewers.
Those accusations have been reignited by Chizzy’s exit, with some viewers claiming she performed well enough to stay in the show, and that her elimination was unjust.
“Feel like @bbcstrictly is a bit racist.. @Melvinodoom was unfairly out last year and now Chizzy??! #bbcstrictly,” tweeted one viewer, with others tending to agree: “um yeah, #strictly somewhat racist voting pattern strikes again. Chizzy was fabulous, and shouldn’t have gone this early.”
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Chizzy hasn’t addressed the accusations directly, but responded warmly to Melvin’s show of sympathy.
“Thanks mate. Ahhh… sucks right? We need to start a First Week Support Group 💋💋 #Strictly,” she replied.
Melvin tweeted back with more support and encouragement: “Sucks for a bit…then you remember all the fun you had…the amazing people you’ve met & the opportunity & support you received😉 #strictly”
Strictly continues this weekend with a Movie Special.