Source: telegraph.co.uk
Ann Widdecombe’s pairing with Anton du Beke on Strictly Come Dancing has provoked an outcry from his army of devoted fans.
The BBC messageboards were besieged by angry viewers after Saturday night’s launch show, which drew a million fewer viewers than last year’s opener. Not only is Miss Widdecombe almost two feet shorter than her partner, but bookmakers predict she will make an early exit.
Some viewers suggested that du Beke was being “punished” for last year’s race row, in which he described his then partner Laila Rouass as looking “like a Paki” on account of her fake tan. He was forced to make a public apology.
“What have you got against the lovely Anton? He doesn’t stand a chance!” read one typical comment aimed at the producers.
“Strictly should be ashamed of themselves. First they get rid of Arlene because of her age and it now looks like they’re trying to get rid of Anton. Perhaps a campaign is needed to get Anton a decent partner,” said another.
“What are they trying to do to Anton? Is it because he has been successful on other prime time Saturday night shows on the BBC and they don’t like it? He is one of the best dancers there and one of the very few remaining from the original series.”
And another viewer said: “I am angry with Strictly. Why does Anton never get even a chance of winning? Ann Widdecombe is about two feet smaller than him, what’s that all about? I normally vote for him no matter what but not this year, he will be losing my vote as a protest. It’s ridiculous.”
Miss Widdecombe herself is delighted with the pairing. “I did say when I signed up, ‘I hope I dance with Anton’. When I discovered that there was a height difference, I wasn’t sure that it would happen. But I’m so excited to have Anton.”
All the couples will spend the next three weeks in training before the competition starts in earnest on October 1. Miss Widdecombe will not be embarking upon a dancer’s diet as part of her preparation. She said: “We are going to have a lovely time. We are going to train in Devon and have as many cream teas as we can manage.”
The launch show drew an average audience of 7.1 million, down from 8.4 million for the 2009 launch. ITV’s Saturday night rival, The X Factor, pulled in 10.8 million but BBC bosses are at pains to stress that the shows are not going head-to-head for viewers.
Mark Linsey, the BBC’s controller of entertainment commissioning, said; “Our brand new launch show has given us a great start. We’re very pleased with Strictly’s viewing figures.”
Responding to the criticism, a BBC spokesman said: “In order to make the best show possible, lots of things are taken into consideration when partnering a celebrity with their professional dance partner. Anton is a very experienced dancer who has been with us since the beginning. He is a great teacher and perfect for Ann.”