James and Amy became the fifth couple eliminated from the show this year (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Strictly Come Dancing fans were left disappointed by James Bye and Amy Dowden’s exit from the show on Sunday night, following what was deemed an ‘unfair’ theme by some for their dance.
The EastEnders actor and his professional partner performed a Charleston to Bumble Bee by LaVern Baker, dressed as a beekeeper and a bumblebee, respectively.
The routine saw them place right at the bottom of the leaderboard with a score of 27, and mixed comments from the judges, with Motsi Mabuse positive as she said that he ‘risked more’ and that his ‘personality shone through’.
However, head judge Shirley Ballas wanted more energy from him, and Anton Du Beke observed that he tended ‘to throw Amy down rather than place her down’.
Craig Revel Horwood added: ‘You need to dance between steps… but the Charleston steps you did were very, very good, and I loved the lifts.’
On Sunday night, he found himself in the dance-off against Fleur East and Vito Coppola – in a second shock appearance in the bottom two – and was voted off the show by the judges in a unanimous decision.
The two performed a beekeeping-themed Charleston that fans criticised as being ‘ill-serving’ (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
They faced Fleur East and Vito Coppola, who survived to dance another day (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
However, viewers were disappointed to see him leave Strictly, suggesting that it he was at a disadvantage, given his routine.
‘Feel so sad that James and Amy left Strictly! Think they were properly stitched up! Rubbish Halloween song! Rubbish Halloween concept! Totally let down!’ tweeted one disappointed fan, while another commented: ‘I think James was ill-served by the song and theme this week. The bumblebee thing is ridiculous and not at all Halloween and nobody knows the song.’
‘What has beekeeping got to do with Halloween?’ a third complained on Instagram.
One pondered: ‘Why did all the other couples in Strictly get spooky or sexy costumes yet James and Amy were dressed like beehive bedlam?’ while another branded the theme ‘disgusting’ as they lamented the fact a ‘spookier Charleston with a faster pace’ would have done better.
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The remaining 10 couples will take to the Strictly dance floor once again next Saturday.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.
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‘I think they were properly stitched up!’ complained one viewer.