The BBC has responded to viewer complaints relating to last weekend’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ result.
Some fans of the ballroom show had complained to the broadcaster after the dance off was cancelled. due to an injury sustained by Anastacia, who was in the bottom two alongside Melvin Odoom.
She was unable to perform after tearing scar tissue from her double mastectomy, with producers reverting to the public vote to decide who was sent home.
It was then revealed Melvin and his partner Janette Manrara would be leaving the competition.
Following a backlash from some viewers, the BBC has issued a statement, which read: “Anastacia was unable to perform in the dance off due to an injury, meaning Melvin Odoom became the first to leave the new series.
“Anastacia sustained an injury in training. She was seen by a doctor on Friday and the injury forced Anastacia and Brendan to re-choreography their routine on Saturday. After she chose to perform the altered routine her injury was unfortunately aggravated further. A decision was made in the results show that Anastacia and Brendan could not perform again.
“This is the first time this particular scenario has happened, but ‘Strictly’ has the rules for many situations including this one. This pre-agreed ‘Strictly’ rule for this scenario states that if a contestant has performed on the Saturday show then finds themselves in the dance off but is unable to perform again due to injury, there can be no dance off and the final decision lies firmly and solely in the hands of the viewer vote.
“The couple with the fewest number of viewer votes in the dance off was Melvin and Janette, and therefore they left the competition.”
A BBC spokesperson has also confirmed to Digital Spy that Anastacia will perform on the show this week, saying: “Anastacia is rehearsing her Viennese Waltz and is planning to perform it with Brendan on the show this Saturday.”
A rep for the US singer also added: “Yesterday, Anastacia visited the clinic of a specialist in breast reconstruction surgery. The doctor again confirmed that there was a tear in the scar tissue, which although painful is not permanent.
“She was given the all-clear to dance this weekend with the caveat that the routine is carefully choreographed and she has been given the appropriate medication. Brendan was with her for her appointments and they have been filmed for this weekend’s episode.
“The specialist will be monitoring her condition regularly, and she will revisit them on Monday.
“She is doing this to raise money for breast cancer, so unless a doctor tells her she can’t carry on, quitting would never be an option. Anastacia and Brendan are now in rehearsal.”
Melvin and Janette have also spoken out on their exit on spin-off show ‘It Takes Two’.
Janette said: “It was such a specific situation and it is no one’s fault. Things happen sometimes and you just have to abide by the rules.
“We love Anastacia and Brendan [Cole], we wish her the best, best speedy recovery. What can you do? You just have bow down and say thank you very much.”
Melvin added: “When we found out we were in the bottom two, Janette was like, ‘Right Melvin start stretching! We’re going on soon!’ We wanted to go out there and dance like it was our last dance ever in life.”
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ continues on Saturday on BBC One.