Things took a rather awkward turn between Will Young and Len Goodman in Saturday’s (8 October) ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, when the pop singer was unhappy with one of his critiques.
In the third of this series’ live shows, Will performed a Bollywood-inspired salsa number, taking on AR Rahman’s ‘Jai Ho!’, from the soundtrack to ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ during movie week.
However, although Will got largely positive critiques, Len told him: “I’d have liked a soupcon more of the salsa, and I got about six or eight bars in the middle.”
Quick to stick up for himself, and his professional partner Karen Clifton, the ‘Leave Right Now’ singer insisted: “There are 24 counts of eight of salsa in the routine.”
As the audience applauded Will for defending the routine, Head Judge Len seemed less enthused, telling him: “Very nice of you to say that to me, Will, but I must say, most of them I didn’t recognise. Probably my fault… and my other little advice is turn up, keep up and shut up.”
Awks.
Will and Len’s uncomfortable showdown gave us very specific flashbacks to when he was a contestant on ‘Pop Idol’ back in 2001, and famously put Simon Cowell in his place when he gave him negative feedback.
When Simon told Will he thought he’d given a “distinctly average” performance, he didn’t take it lying down, and told him straight: “All of us have been dying to say things to you… I think it’s nice that you have given opinions on this show. I think in previous shows you haven’t, you’ve just projected insults and it has been terrible to watch.
“I think, this show, I think you have been better, and I think you have given opinions and you’ve backed up your opinions.
“It is your opinion. I don’t agree with it. I don’t think it was average. I don’t think you could ever call that average. But it is your opinion and I respect that.”
Be warned, Len. Will’s definitely not afraid to tell talent show judges what he thinks...