Strictly star Shayne Ward has hit back after seemingly rubbing a few viewers up the wrong way last Saturday with his sizzling samba.
Shayne was one of the first contestants to take to the floor during Saturday night’s first live show (September 21).
However, his routine with partner Nancy Xu didn’t score highly with the judges, and Strictly fans watching at home seemed to be in agreement. So could the Coronation Street star’s place in the competition be under threat?
Strictly 2024: Shayne Ward’s samba fails to impress
Shayne and Nancy danced the samba to Stevie Wonder’s Do I Do.
They ended up in 10th place on the Strictly leaderboard with a score of 21 points.
Craig Revel Horwood gave them a four, Motsi Mabusi followed up with a six, Shirley Ballas awarded a five and Anton Du Beke followed Motsi’s lead, also giving the couple a six.
Viewers at home also had their say on the hashtag. And it seems Shayne didn’t win himself many fans with his confident attitude.
“The overconfidence is actually something I’m not enjoying about Shayne right now,” said one. “No question, he’s good but he’s NOT the master of all things dance.”
A second added: “Shayne‘s not learned that no one takes to the hyper-confident competitive ones, has he?” A third commented: “Slightly pleased that Shayne isn’t amazing. Needed taking down a peg.”
Another then commented: “Shayne – determined but his desire to win is a bit overpowering.”
“Not good for me,” said another. “He need to calm down a bit.” Another said: “Shayne Ward is a bit too full of himself,” while another concluded: “Think Shayne thinks he’s better than he is.”
However, on his Instagram Stories this week, Shayne has hit back.
He said: “Strictly is amazing and I love being part of it. But through my smile on TV I’m as nervous as the next person.
“Not cocky or overconfident… I’m nervous! I just gotta work hard and listen to my wonderful teacher Nancy Xu. All I can do is my best!”
‘Criminal hairdo’
Elsewhere on Saturday, others were more distracted by Shayne’s mop of curls. Viewers decided he looked like either Leo Sayer, Lee Mead or Darragh Ennis from The Chase.
“Shayne Ward looks like Lee Mead with his longer hair,” said one. “The biggest revelation of Strictly is that Shayne Ward has hair,” quipped another.
“Shayne Ward needs to be out first purely for that criminal hairdo,” another jibed. “The dance didn’t blow me away like I thought it would for Shayne Ward but that’s more about what choreography he’s been given. But come on, let’s sort the hair out!” pleaded another.
‘He’s still got it’
Others were more kind, saying that they preferred the ex-Corrie star with his shaved head.
“Shayne needs to rethink the curly hair, looks like a perm. X Factor Shayne would suit better,” they said.
Shayne did have his backers, though.
Some hit out at the scores, saying: “A four for Shayne?! Oh come off it Craig!”
Meanwhile, others decided that, curls or no curls, Shayne has “still got it”.
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