‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge Bruno Tonioli has blasted accusations of racism among voters, following a controversial couple of weeks from the show.
After Naga Munchetty followed Melvin Odoom and Tameka Empson in being eliminated last weekend, certain critics once again suggested race was playing a part in who was being given the chop.
Bruno has now had his say on the matter, insisting that the voting system is fair.
He tells Best magazine: “The so-called ‘racism row’ over Melvin, then Tameka leaving is ludicrous. This series is so competitive every vote makes a difference.”
Comparing the ‘Strictly’ vote to Britain’s EU referendum earlier this year, he adds: “If you don’t vote you can’t moan when someone you love leaves. It’s like Brexit - vote, don’t get upset after the horse has bolted!”
After becoming the first contestant to be axed from the competition, Melvin Odoom dismissed accusations of racism, insisting people were “trying to find a story out of nothing”.
He insisted: “I think it’s got nothing to do with that… if there was a racist issue we wouldn’t be there in the first place.”
So far, the current series of ‘Strictly’ has not been without its controversies, with Will Young clashing with head judge Len Goodman on what turned out to be his final live show, while Bruno has already received a telling off for swearing during another.
‘Strictly’ returns on Saturday (22 October) at 6.35pm on BBC One.