'Strictly Come Dancing': Ed Balls Has Sparked Debate Among Viewers

Daisy Lowe's departure has divided opinion online.

Ed Balls’ Salsa routine to ‘Gangnam Style’ has already gone down in the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ hall of fame, but it’s also left some viewers wondering whether the joke has gone too far.

We’re sure the former MP wouldn’t mind us pointing out that he’s hardly been the strongest performer throughout the competition, and is currently at the bottom of the ‘Strictly’ leaderboard for the series - 46 points behind his nearest competitor, Greg Rutherford.

Despite this, he’s managed to go eight weeks without landing himself in the dance-off.

Ed Balls on 'Strictly'
Ed Balls on 'Strictly'
Guy LevyBBC

However, following the departure of Daisy Lowe, some ‘Strictly’ fans have taken to question whether it might be time for him to go home, pointing out stronger performers are now losing their spots in the competition.

Time for @edballs to go home I think. Great value but we need the good dancers to be given a chance now #StrictlyComeDancing

— Caroline Armitage (@Carolinearm) November 13, 2016

Who the hell is voting for Ed balls.......... time to go you are by the far the weakest dancer! #StrictlyComeDancing

— charlotte chapman (@charlottestars) November 13, 2016

It's time for @edballs to do a John Seargeant and bow out. It shouldn't be Daisy leaving it should be Ed. #SCD2016 #BallsOut

— Sarah Love (@MissSarahLove) November 13, 2016

ED BALLS GETS TO DANCE IN BLACKPOOL WITH YET ANOTHER BORING, OVER DONE, SUPPOSED TO BE "FUNNY" DANCE WHILE DAISY DOESNT #StrictlyComeDancing pic.twitter.com/5mR6s4eG5G

— aιмee. (@rainspeIIs) November 13, 2016

#scd u r becoming a damn joke now like #XFactor #edballs needs2b goin home. He cannot dance&its a dance competition not a comedy show.

— BeaSmiths♥brokenGirl (@EmisonSwanQueen) November 13, 2016

Ok, I've loved how entertaining #EdBalls has been but it's not fair anymore. Greg and Daisy are SO MUCH better!! #Strictly

— Rebecca Marano (@becloumar) November 13, 2016

@daisylowe @bbcstrictly Ed balls should be here not Daisy.....sorry he seems a nice guy but come on? #timetogoed

— Mary Walsh (@marywoohoo190) November 13, 2016

How is Daisy Lowe out and Ed Balls still in - its a farce #strictly

— Nicole Garforth (@GarforthNicole) November 13, 2016

Daisy Lowe goes home and Ed Balls isn't even in the dance off. What a load of...

— Philip Sinclair (@PipSinks) November 13, 2016

Meanwhile, others have defended his right to be there, insisting his weekly routines provide a bit of escapism from everything else that’s going on in the world.

Thank you @edballs for cheering up a vile week. So glad he and @GregJRutherford both got through #StrictlyComeDancing

— Melanie Ward (@melanie_ward) November 13, 2016

Basically, if Ed Balls goes home, this is a representation of all that is horrific about 2016 and I'll have lost all hope.

— Helen (@lettertodaddy) November 13, 2016

In a seemingly mad world @edballs the man to keep us all sane!!! #edgoestoblackpool #fun #laughter #edtowin

— Joanne Hawxwell (@JHawxwell) November 13, 2016

I think we can lose Daisy for the sake of one more week with #EdBalls #Strictly pic.twitter.com/ijgz3yp0or

— ChrisAWykes (@ChrisAWykes) November 12, 2016

So glad @edballs has made it to Blackpool. You gave it your all on Sat and was funny, so what more do we want on a Sat night. Brilliant!

— Manuella Machado (@MManuella611) November 14, 2016

If @edballs is voted off #Strictly can he please dance on TV weekly as a public service to keep spirits up after a
catastrophe of a year?

— Susan Hughes (@mrscurly67) November 12, 2016

Ed Balls communicating the pure joy of dance and its power to help you escape from everyday worries. #Strictly #PublicServiceTelevision

— David K Smith (@professor_dave) November 12, 2016

Back in 2008, broadcaster John Sergeant was in a similar position, and eventually chose to leave the show of his own accord, claiming winning “would be a joke too far”.

Ed recently dismissed the idea of taking his lead and bowing out of the competition early, stating it wouldn’t be fair to those who keep voting for him.

He said: “Look… I won’t win. ‘Strictly’ is a show where the judges have an important say but the people decide and spend their own money voting for you.

“If they’re supporting you it’s a bit disrespectful for me now to turn around and say: ‘I know better’.”

Ed and the remaining couples will be performing live from Blackpool Tower in Saturday’s (19 November) live show, which kicks off at 6.55pm on BBC One.

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