Mike Bushell and his wife have hit back at trolls after he was saved on Strictly Come Dancing last night.
The BBC Breakfast presenter and his professional partner Katya Jones were saved by the judges after a dance-off against Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe.
However, some viewers were furious over the result and Mike took to Twitter to defend himself.
Read more: Strictly’s Catherine Tyldesley shares emotional photo after elimination
After one person told him to “retire” as he’s making a “mockery”, Mike hit back: “All I do is put in 12 hour days with the amazing @Mrs_katjones.
“I am a 53-year-old dad and husband and enjoy music and haven’t ever learned to dance. I don’t pretend to be anything and am working my socks off to improve. I hate it when anyone goes and compete only vs myself.”
When another told him to “at least consider leaving the competition,” Mike said: “I have trained 12 hour days for the last 8 weeks.
“I’m a previous non dancer who is trying to learn. I love the other strictly 2019 family. We are not competing against each other but just trying to do our best.
“I hate it when anyone leaves but just trying my best.”
In another tweet, he defended the judges’ decision to save him and send Catherine home, writing: “I totally agree. I always accept the decision of the judges and advice or when I play football the referee.
“The judges on @bbcstrictly are the best in the world and love the comments of the likes of.”
His wife also tweeted in support of her husband, saying: “Wow the abuse! Painful. We’re beyond gutted Catherine and Johannes have left but Mike danced well and deserves his spot.
“As a viewer since the start I get opinion but this level of abuse is shocking. He’s just a contestant and giving his all!”
Meanwhile, during an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Monday morning, Mike said: “It’s an entertainment show, we’re all trying our best, you’re not really competing against anybody else, you compete against yourself to try and learn to get better and better each week, even if its just learning a couple of new steps.
“As a non-dancer all I can do is put the hours in, do my best and get through it. You have to rise above the abuse on social media, that’s one of the sad things about social media.
“All you can do is do your best, accept the judges’ decision and move on. Johannes and Catherine are lovely people, I didn’t want to see them go but someone has to go.
“It’s like football – you have to accept the referee’s decision. [The judges] are the best judges in the world, they do know what they’re talking about, if they’d sent me home that would have been the best decision, I can’t get involved in any of that.”
Read more: Strictly viewers furious as Catherine Tyldesley is eliminated
He added: “I just have to concentrate on improving, and if Katya is happy with what I’m doing then I’m happy.”
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