Strictly’s Richie Anderson fights back tears discussing show exit as series is plunged into new race row after he faced dance-off with Fleur East
- Richie Anderson became emotional as he described his ‘incredible’ experience on Strictly Come Dancing during an appearance on spin-off It Takes Two
- The TV and radio personality, 34, held back tears and struggled to get his words out during his first interview since being eliminated from the BBC series
- After the second public vote, Richie found himself up against singer and radio presenter Fleur East in the dance-off
- It comes as the show has been rocked with fresh race row as fans slam the show’s voting results as ‘outrageous’
Richie Anderson became emotional as he described his ‘incredible’ experience on Strictly Come Dancing.
The TV and radio personality, 34, held back tears and struggled to get his words out during his first interview since being eliminated from the BBC series on Sunday.
Appearing on spin-off It Takes Two on Monday, he said: ‘I’m just so proud that I have met some incredible…’ before turning to his professional partner Giovanni Pernice for support.
Tearful: Richie Anderson, 34, became emotional as he described his ‘incredible’ experience on Strictly Come Dancing during Monday’s It Takes Two
His emotional response prompted cheers of support from co-host Rylan Clark and the studio audience.
After the second public vote, Richie found himself up against singer and radio presenter Fleur East in the dance-off.
They danced their head-turning samba to Hakuna Matata from the much-loved Disney movie The Lion King, but failed to win over the judging panel.
Shocking: Sunday’s result show saw Fleur East and Richie voted into the dance off, with Radio 2 star Richie becoming the second celebrity to leave the BBC show
Richie said of last week’s performances: ‘You always know, going into the studio on a Saturday night, that it could be the last time.
‘Every dance I have done, it might not have been technically perfect, but I have gone out there and given it some welly, and given it 110%.
‘And all you can do Rylan, is hope it’s enough, and as you can see from Saturday night and Sunday night, you can never be too sure. But I have just had the most amazing time.’
Emotional: The TV and radio personality held back tears and struggled to get his words out during his first interview since being eliminated from the BBC series on Sunday (pictured with professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice)
He said: ‘I’m just so proud that I have met some incredible…’ before turning to his professional partner Giovanni’
On being in the bottom two against Fleur, Giovanni said: ‘It’s not a nice position to be in, but in general, this competition, everyone is amazing this year.
‘Fleur is fantastic, as is Vito (Coppola, her dancer partner), you don’t want to be in that position no matter who with.
‘Unfortunately we had a Samba, and they did a fantastic dance. I wouldn’t have wanted to be a judge in that position, it was difficult.’
It comes as the show has been rocked with fresh race row as fans slam the show’s voting results as ‘outrageous’.
Sunday’s show saw Fleur and Richie voted into the dance off, with viewers taking to Twitter to claim the decision made by the British public was ‘racist’.
Tension: It comes as the show has been rocked with fresh race row as fans slam the show’s voting results as ‘outrageous’
The judges were surprised to see Fleur, who finished sixth on the leaderboard with her partner Vito, and Richie who together with Giovanni finished eighth, in the bottom two.
One viewer wrote on Twitter: ‘Neither of those couples should have been anywhere NEAR the bottom two, but of course the British public are racist.’
Another posted: ‘Good dancers voted out early every season due to racist voting,’ another chimed in while a third said: ‘Racism 100%, there’s no other explanation. It’s obvious.’
‘Motsi knows that the British public are racist, and got as close as she could to saying it outright,’ a third stated.
One added: ‘So depressed by the bottom two in the dance-off last night on Strictly. No WAY should it have been Fleur or Richie. I’ve said it for years and I’ll say it again: it is 100% racism (whether conscious or subconscious) driving the British public’s votes.’
Richie and Fleur were in the middle of the leaderboard before the public vote, which saw them land the bottom two.
Slammed: BBC viewers took to Twitter, claiming the decision made by the British public was ‘racist’
After both couples performed again, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse all voted to save Fleur, sending Richie home.
Richie and Giovanni performed their Samba to Hakuna Matata from The Lion King after previously opening Saturday night’s Movie Week with the fun routine.
Then Fleur and her dance partner Vito performed their American Smooth to Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid, in a bid to impress the judges and remain in the competition.
After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts. Craig chose to save Fleur and Vito, telling the couples: ‘I would like to save the most accomplished technician and that is Fleur and Vito.’
Motsi chose to save Fleur and Vito, admitting: ‘I think it’s heartbreaking actually because I think both of you do not deserve to be here but this is how the public voted and based on this dance off I’m going to save Fleur and Vito.’
Anton then also chose to save Fleur and Vito, as he her and Richie ‘Well I thought that was a well danced dance off. I thought both couples performed well, I thought one couple was a bit more sure footed about their performance and had a slightly better level of artistry about what they were doing, so the couple I would like to save is Fleur and Vito.’
With three votes to Fleur and Vito, it meant they had won the majority vote and would be staying in the competition regardless, however Head Judge Shirley Ballas said she would have decided to save Richie and Giovanni.
When asked by Tess about their time on the show, an emotional Richie said: ‘Do you know what? As a Strictly fan I always thought it was a magical thing to be a part of, and being here it really is and it’s not just the people that you see on camera, the judges, and you and Claud and the amazing people that I’ve got to meet on this show.’
Lively: Richie and Giovanni performed their Samba to Hakuna Matata from The Lion King after previously opening Saturday night’s Movie Week with the fun routine
‘The people behind the scenes in hair, make up, costume, Tasha our runner, Stef, Jas, everybody. I also want to thank this guy [Giovanni] as well, he’s been so amazing, and I feel so lucky that I’ve got to dance with you every day.’
‘Not only are you a fantastic dancer but you are also a fantastic guy on top of that. I want to thank all my family and friends and my other half Dean who is in the audience, I love you so much.’
Giovanni was then asked if he had any words for his partner, Richie and said: ‘I have to say it’s been an honour to be able to dance with you because I know how much you love Strictly Come Dancing, you really are a superfan.’
‘And I’m glad that you got to do this experience and glad that I got to do it with you. It’s been a shame it’s been too short for us but I hope you’ve enjoyed every single second of it, and it stays in your heart forever. Look at us we’ve gone out dressed as Timon and Pumbaa. So lovely jubbly, well done Richie.’
The remaining thirteen couples will take to the dancefloor next when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 15th October at 6.30pm with the results show on Sunday 16th October at 7:15pm on BBC One.
Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Who are the couples?
HELEN SKELTON AND GORKA MARQUEZ
Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez
Celebrity’s age: 39
Profession: TV and radio broadcaster
Helen says: ‘I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started’
ELLIE SIMMONDS AND NIKITA KUZMIN
Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Guzman
Celebrity’s age: 27
Profession: Former athlete
Ellie says: ‘To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it’s going to so much fun.’
ELLIE TAYLOR AND JOHANNES RADEBE
Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe
Celebrity’s age: 38
Profession: Comedian
Ellie says: ‘Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I’m absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022!’
FLEUR EAST AND VITO COPPOLA
Fleur East and Vito Coppola
Celebrity’s age: 34
Profession: Singer
Fleur says: ‘I’m equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year’s Strictly line up. I’m excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience.’
JAMES BYE AND AMY DOWDEN
James Bye and Amy Dowden
Celebrity’s age: 38
Profession: EastEnders actor
James says ‘I’m not known for my shimmy or my twinkle toes – in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing but it’s an honour to be asked and I’m going to give it my best shot.’
JAYDE ADAMS AND KAREN HAUER
Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer
Celebrity’s age: 37
Profession: Comedian
Jayde says: ‘I’ve been a massive fan of the show for years. I feel like I’m watching myself in a dream and I can’t believe I’ve manifested this.’
TYLER WEST AND DIANNE BUSWELL
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell
Celebrity’s age: 26
Profession: Radio DJ
Tyler says: ‘It’s a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins.’
HAMZA YASSIN AND JOWITA PRZYSTAL
Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Celebrity’s age: 35
Profession: Wildlife cameraman and presenter
Hamza says: ‘I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show.’
RICHIE ANDERSON AND GIOVANNI PERNICE
Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice
Celebrity’s age: 34
Profession: Radio presenter
Richie says: ‘This is a dream come true! I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world!’
KYM MARSH AND GRAZIANO DI PRIMA
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima
Celebrity’s age: 46
Profession: Coronation Street star and presenter
Kym says: ‘I’m so delighted that this year they have! I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress.’
MATT GOSS AND NADIYA BYCHKOVA
Matt Goss and Nadiya Bychkova
Celebrity’s age: 53
Profession: Singer
Matt says: ‘I’ve been reclusive, I come and work and then go back to America. I thought, it’s time for me to come home and get out of my own way’
MOLLY RAINFORD AND CARLOS GU
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu
Age: 21
Profession: Singer
Molly says: ‘I already know it’s gonna be an experience of a lifetime and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Strictly family I’ll be sharing it with.’
WILL MELLOR AND NANCY XU
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu
Celebrity’s age: 46
Profession: Actor
Will says: ‘I know it will be a huge challenge but that’s what life is all about. This is also my Mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!’
TONY ADAMS AND KATYA JONES
Tony Adams and Katya Jones
Celebrity’s age: 55
Profession: Retired footballer and manager
Tony says: ‘To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes’
KAYE ADAMS AND KAI WIDDRINGTON
Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington
Celebrity’s age: 59
Profession: Television presenter
Kaye says: ‘I said I wanted to make the last year of my fifties memorable and i can’t think of a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet. Pray for me!’
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