Strictly‘s Toyah Willcox has broken her silence after making a savage dig at co-star Chris McCausland during her appearance on It Takes Two on Monday night.
The singer, 66, was eliminated in the dance off on Sunday, however her comment about the blind comedian left viewers, presenter Fleur East and her professional partner Neil Jones speechless.
Toyah suggested the only way for the remaining contestants to avoid a dance off is to ‘get rid of Chris’ as she took a swipe a the fan favourite.
However, Toyah has now set the record straight on what she really meant as she took to Twitter and penned: ‘Just to clarify and to clear up any confusion that’s flying around.
‘My good friend @chrismccausland, is my favourite to win this year, I think he is inspiring and brilliant, he has worked so hard and I wish him nothing but love! Toyah.’
Strictly’s Toyah Willcox has broken her silence after making a savage dig at co-star Chris McCausland during It Takes Two on Monday
The singer, 66, suggested the only way for the remaining contestants to avoid a dance off is to ‘get rid of Chris’ as she took a swipe a the fan favourite (pictured with partner Dianne Buswell)
Meanwhile Paul Merson also made sure to take a swipe at Toyah as he also appeared on the BBC spin off show on Tuesday evening after beating her in the dance off on Sunday.
Speaking about being in the bottom two he joked: ‘It’s completely out of my hands. I just sit there and relax.
‘I do sit there and think, “very good, very good, very good. Oh Toyah’s still in, she’s the same as me. She’s the same as me, so I’ve got a chance!”‘
He added: ‘It was out of Jamie [Borthwick] and Toyah. If Jamie was the one who [ended up in the dance-off], I would have been out. So when it was Toyah, it was a flip of a coin. I knew I had a chance.’
Taking to Twitter one fan wrote: ‘Nice bit of shade from Paul there, defending his butty Chris from Toyah’s comments!’
During Toyah’s appearance on It Takes Two on Monday, Fleur asked Toyah how she was feeling leaving her Strictly family behind.
She asked: ‘It’s been such a tight knit group this year do you have any advice or tips for the other celebs?’
Toyah then rubbed her hands together and chuckled before sitting forward in her seat and telling the camera: ‘If you don’t want to do a dance off, get rid of Chris or you’re all going to have a face a dance off.’
However, Toyah has now set the record straight on what she really meant as she took to Twitter and penned: ‘J ust to clarify and to clear up any confusion that’s flying around
Speaking of Chris and Dianne she said: ‘My good friend @chrismccausland, is my favourite to win this year, I think he is inspiring and brilliant, he has worked so hard and I wish him nothing but love! Toyah’
Meanwhile Paul Merson also made sure to take a swipe at Toyah as he also appeared on the BBC spin off show on Tuesday evening after beating her in the dance off on Sunday
One fan especially appreciated Paul standing up for Chris as he joked he knew he would be safe in the competition once he found out he was in the dance off against Toyah
On It Takes Two Toyah rubbed her hands together and chuckled before telling the camera: ‘If you don’t want to do a dance off, get rid of Chris or you’re all going to have a face a dance off’
Fluer was left so stunned her mouth was left gaping as she struggled to collect herself before moving the conversation on
In an effort to diffuse the situation, the professional dancer told the host: ‘She’s chose our winner already!’ as the three all laughed
As Toyah laughed, her partner Neil looked at Fleur in confusion with his mouth open before letting out a chuckle.
As the camera settled on Fleur’s face, the singer, 36, also appeared shocked and struggled to speak.
In an effort to diffuse the situation, the professional dancer told the host: ‘She’s chose our winner already!’ as the three all laughed.
Fleur then quickly moved the conversation on to what Toyah might be getting up to now her time on the show had finished.
And while the awkward exchange was quickly brushed past on the show, fans of Strictly were left fuming.
Viewers took to social media to air their grievances, criticising Toyah for her dig at Chris.
Many felt the attempt at a joke was inappropriate considering the comedic star is blind.
Others demanded a public apology from the star.
One wrote: ‘Just catching up! What was that about Toyah on it takes two? “if you don’t want to be in the dance off, get rid of Chris”. Fleur was gobsmacked and just couldn’t respond – Neil was also stunned. shocked as a viewer too’
While another took to X and wrote: ‘Toyah upset cause a Blindman can dance better than her and yes, Chris deserves a public apology’.
Others said they were disappointed in the star and criticised her for making the comment.
One wrote: ‘Really disappointed in Toyah’ and another said ‘Joking or not, Toyah shouldn’t have said that.’
Toyah became the second star to leave the show after she landed in the bottom for a second week (pictured with host Tess Daly)
Viewers took to social media to air their grievances, criticising Toyah for her dig at Chris and demanding an apology off the star
And the barrage of criticism online caught the attention of the comedian himself who was forced to wade in.
The stand-up took to his own X account and told fans of the show that Toyah had been nothing but supportive during their shared time on the show together.
He wrote: ‘All I can say is that @toyahofficial has been nothing but beautiful and supportive and what she said on Takes Two was funny and an incredible bloody compliment. It’s been such a joy and a privilege Toya. Lots of love, enjoy the surfing! X’
The 80s singer and partner Neil were eliminated from the competition after losing the dance off to footballer Paul Merson and partner Karen Hauer following Movie Week.
Following the judge’s decision Toyah gushed over ‘phenomenal’ Neil and declared her experience on the show ‘the best two months of my life!’.
Both couples performed their routines again, with Toyah and Neil taking to the floor with their Samba to Poor Unfortunate Souls from Little Mermaid, after scoring just 15 out 40 and landing at the bottom of Saturday’s leaderboard.
Meanwhile Paul and Karen performed their Cha Cha to The Magnificent Seven from The Magnificent Seven, which saw them initially score 19.
After both couples danced the judges delivered their verdicts with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all choosing to save Paul and Karen.
And the barrage of criticism online caught the attention of the comedian himself who was forced to wade in and release a statement praising the singer
Toyah and Neil (L) lost the dance off to footballer Paul Merson and partner Karen Hauer (R) on Sunday
With three votes in favour of Paul and Karen, they won the majority vote meaning Toyah and Neil would be leaving
With three votes in favour of Paul and Karen, they won the majority vote meaning Toyah and Neil would be leaving.
Head Judge Shirley Ballas also agreed with her fellow professionals and said she would have also decided to save Paul and Karen.
Toyah told Tess Daly about her time on the show: ‘It’s been the best two months of my life, it has been fantastic. I have enjoyed every second. And you [Neil] have been phenomenal, thank you so much.’
While Neil said: ‘[Toyah] has made me laugh so much, I have never seen someone work so hard , I’m the one asking for breaks every now and then! She just kept going, she wanted to learn so much.’
‘If you saw her in the hallway she’s been practicing. Everyone’s been telling me have you seen Toyah practicing, she’s brilliant and she’s what Strictly is all about, and I’ve loved every moment’.