A HOST of Strictly Come Dancing’s top professionals were left gobsmacked at the low scores handed out to one fan-favourite.
The trio of BBC One stars appeared completely stunned – throwing their arms in the air in fury after the judges’ verdict on the emotive Couple’s Choice routine played out.
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It came after comedian Chris McCausland, 47, and Dianne Buswell, 35, danced an emotive routine to John Lennon track Instant Karma.
Dianne’s sweet comment to the blind performer immediately after their routine – which featured a segment in complete darkness mimicking the experience of blindness – was then revealed.
Yet despite their happiness, Chris and Dianne didn’t clock the highest scores.
They scooped 33 points – with a measly seven from judge Craig Revel Horwood, 59 – while Jowita Przystal, 30, and Pete Wicks, 36, clocked three points more for their Couple’s routine.
Yet Nikita Kuzmin, Katya Jones and Neil Jones all looked astounded by the low scores as the paddles were pulled out.
Nikita – who was evicted with celebrity partner Sam Quek during week seven – was seen with his arms outspread while Neil gawked in shock as they stood in the Clauditorium.
Katya, who is Neil’s ex wife and a popular Strictly celeb, flashed a shocked expression as she looked over her shoulder.
Vito Coppola, who was at the front of the group, looked sad as he clapped the pair along.
Even fans had been convinced the duo would bag a perfect score.
Despite this, Chris and Dianne sailed into the next round, which will see them perform at Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom.
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Chris previously admitted training had nearly “killed me” as he hit back at claims of a “sympathy vote.”
He also admitted he “walked out” on Aussie Dianne after a particularly taxing routine.
Chris, who is blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, candidly revealed the gruelling nature of rehearsals for the BBC show, admitting that it pushed him to his limits.
Despite the physical and mental strain, he remains determined to defy expectations and prove that disability is no barrier.
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He told The Times: “Going straight into the cha-cha-cha on week one nearly killed me. A lot of the rehearsal time is me lying on the floor trying to plaster a smile on my face and saying, ‘Just give me five minutes.’
“I’m all for a challenge, I’m all for doing something out of my comfort zone, but I don’t want to be the ‘fun guy’.
“Because if I come on the air and because of my blindness I fail, that’s no good for anyone. The whole point of being here is to surprise people, to represent people and maybe expose people to somebody they might think would be incapable of doing these things.”
Chris openly expressed his frustration with the “sympathy vote” label, emphasising his desire to be judged on his own merits as a dancer.
He explained: “If you’ve got a disability you have to show so much perseverance and creativity and problem-solving just day to day. There are so many people out there capable of way more than the opportunities they are given. For me it’s about representing that community.
“I hugely put myself out of my comfort zone to do something that I didn’t know I’d be able to do.
“And so if that inspires people to have a go at something then I’m good with that.”
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