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Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Melvin Odoom to make Strictly Come Dancing comeback as he signs up for Christmas Special

Melvin Odoom to make Strictly Come Dancing comeback as he signs up for Christmas Special... after being first contestant axed from this year's show

PUBLISHED: 19:30, 7 November 2016 | UPDATED: 20:48, 7 November 2016

He never got to say goodbye in the traditional Strictly Come Dancing manner when he was booted off the show in October.

But Melvin Odoom is due to make a sensational return to the ballroom dancefloor, as the 36-year-old presenter has signed up for the show's Christmas special.

He will join the likes of fellows Strictly alumnus Frankie Bridge and Ainsley Harriott when the dance spectacular comes back for a one-off festive airing.

Making a comeback: Melvin Odoom is due to make a sensational return to the ballroom dancefloor, as the 36-year-old presenter has signed up for the show's Christmas special

The former Xtra Factor presenter was denied the chance to dance for his survival on week one of this year's Strictly.

After coming in the bottom two alongside Anastacia, Melvin found himself booted off after the decision was put down to the number of public votes from the previous night.

The unusual vote-off came after the singer suffered a tear to her scar tissue from a double mastectomy, leaving her unable to dance.

Better luck this time? He will join the likes of fellows Strictly alumnus Frankie Bridge and Ainsley Harriott when the dance spectacular comes back for a one-off festive airing

The Radio DJ will join the likes of Olympian Denise Lewis, singer Frankie Bridge and Billy Connolly’s wife, Pamela Stephenson.

And completing the star-studded line-up will be celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott and Welsh TV presenter Gethin Jones.

The one-off festive episode will see the famous faces competing to become the winners of the coveted Christmas Silver Star trophy.

One dance wonder: After coming in the bottom two alongside Anastasia, Melvin found himself axed after the decision was put down to the number of public votes the two had racked up

More fan faves: The Radio DJ will join the likes of Olympian Denise Lewis, singer Frankie Bridge, Ainsley Harriott and Welsh TV presenter Gethin Jones

The show will be presented by the usual partnership of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

And all four judges from this series of the show will return, with Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli on-board.

This will be Lens last outing on the show, after he announced the 2016 series will be his last.

The theme for the Christmas show and the names of the professional dancers taking part are still to be announced.

One last hurrah? All judges from this series of the show will return, with Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli on-board - though it will be Len's last sepcial

Sunday, 9 October 2016

Strictly fans 'fuming' as Tameka Empson performs dance off with an injury...a week after Anastacia pulls out of her showdown

'Rules for one and rules for another': Strictly fans 'fuming' as Tameka Empson performs dance off with an injury...a week after Anastacia pulls out of her showdown

By JOANNA CRAWLEY FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 22:41, 9 October 2016 | UPDATED: 23:00, 9 October 2016

EastEnders star Tameka Empson was the second celeb to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing 2016 on Sunday night.

And while the public vote put her in the bottom two, some fans were left fuming with the result, especially after it was revealed the actress performed the final dance off, opposite Laura Whitmore, with an injury.

Tameka told Tess Daly she wouldn't let her back injury stop her before heading to the floor, only to lose the judges' vote before doing a final defiant lap with her knee brace on show.

Injured: EastEnders star Tameka Empson was the second celeb to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing 2016 on Sunday night, performing the dance off with an injury

After finding out she would have to dance again, Tameka told host Tess: 'My back injury ain't gonna hurt me this time, I'm gonna hurt it!'

Her second performance of her Tango to The Heat Is On from the movie Beverley Hills Cop failed to win over the judges though, with only Darcey voting to keep the actress and her pro partner Gorka Marquez in.

As Tameka took to the floor with Gorka for their farewell dance, she broke out of hold to do a solo lap, lifting up her black dress to reveal strapping on her leg.

I'll show them: Tameka said she wouldn't let her back injury stop her before heading to the floor, only to lose the judges vote before doing a final defiant lap with her leg brace on show

Sad to see her go: The judges gave Tameka and her partner Gorka a standing ovation

Some viewers were left 'fuming' after Tameka revealed her injury, pointing out that a week earlier singer Anastacia pulled out of her dance off due to injury, meaning it was left to the public vote to decide to send Melvin Odoom home.

The 48-year-old singer was deemed too unfit to dance against fellow bottom place contestant Melvin after she ‘ripped’ her mastectomy scars during training.

Her injury caused her to became the first contestant in the show's history to pull out of a dance-off.

Ruled out: Some viewers were left 'fuming' after Tameka revealed her injury, pointing out that a week earlier singer Anastacia pulled out of her dance off due to injury

Safe: Anastacia gave an emotional thank you to viewers after being saved from another dance off by public vote on Sunday

While the exact nature and severity of Tameka's injury wasn't made clear on Sunday night, some fans suggested it was unfair to expect the actress to dance.

'Why did Tameka have to compete in the dance off with her injury & Anastasia didn't? Hmm rules for one & rules for another. Unfair #strictly', tweeted Lisa L Robertson.

Rachael W added: 'Gutted that Tameka left #strictly. shocking that someone who refused to dance gets to stay and she dances through injury and leaves.'

Unfair? While the exact nature and severity of Tameka's injury wasn't made clear on Sunday night, some fans suggested it was unfair to expect the actress to dance

Out: The soap star was emotional as she said goodbye to the show after just three weeks

Others pointed out though that Anastacia and Tameka's injuries couldn't be compared. Tweeting after Tameka's injury-baring lap of the floor, Nora tweeted: 'I certainly hope I got that wrong and @Tameka_Empson did not strike out to @AnastaciaMusic! A knee injury is no double mastectomy.'

A source has told the MailOnline: 'Every injury or strain experienced whilst participating in the show is of course completely unique. Tameka wore a knee brace and was deemed able to dance in the dance off this week, as was the other celebrity in the dance off, Laura who had sustained a number of bruises and knocks in training.'

Meanwhile, Anastacia gave an emotional thank you to viewers after being saved from another dance off by public vote on Sunday.

The American singer was deemed medically fit to dance her Viennese waltz this week after undergoing tests, with a spokesman telling The Mirror earlier in the week: 'She is doing this to raise money for breast cancer, so unless a doctor tells her she can’t carry on, quitting would never be an option. Anastacia and Brendan are now in rehearsal.'

Different: Other fans pointed out that Anastacia and Tameka's injuries couldn't be compared

Soldiering on: Tameka was commended for dancing through her obvious injury

Bottom two: TV presenter Laura Whitmore also found herself in the dance off on Sunday night but was saved by the judges

Anastacia said after last week's show: 'I danced on Saturday even though the doctor had advised me to rest after I ripped the scar tissue around where I had my double mastectomy.

'After that I was unable to dance again and I was devastated that I couldn't take part in the Dance Off.

Anastacia has spoken openly about her ‘radical’ double mastectomy surgery in 2013 and the extensive reconstruction work since, and that she wanted to take part in the show to learn how to use her body again.

Last tango: Tameka's second performance of her Tango to The Heat Is On from the movie Beverley Hills Cop failed to win over the judges

Winning: Laura danced her Moulin Rouge salsa for a second time on Sunday

Saturday, 8 October 2016

Will Young launches a staunch defence of his Salsa after Strictly head judge Len Goodman criticises his routine

'I just get passionate!' Will Young launches a staunch defence of his Salsa after Strictly head judge Len Goodman criticises his routine

By DAN CAIN FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 21:07, 8 October 2016 | UPDATED: 21:14, 8 October 2016

He's got form when it comes to sticking up for himself against an established entertainment show judge.

And Will Young, 37, gave as good as he got on Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing, after his salsa was criticised by head judge Len Goodman.

The singer and his dance partner Karen Clifton danced to the Pussycat Dolls' Jai Ho from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack as part of movie week.

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Sticking up for himself: Will Young, 37, gave as good as he got on Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing, after his salsa was criticised by head judge Len Goodman

Critical: The routine featured a daring selection of lifts, but Len said he'd rather have seen a more traditional dance

The routine featured a daring selection of lifts, but Len said he'd rather have seen a more traditional dance.

He said: 'For me, not enough Salsa. I loved the dance it was entertaining it was fun... but it's a Salsa, and I would have liked more.'

Will hit back: 'There are 24 counts of Salsa in the routine.'

Raising his eyebrows, Len replied: 'Well I must say, most of them I didn't recognise.'

Full of colour: The singer and his dance partner Karen Clifton danced to the Pussycat Dolls' Jai Ho from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack as part of movie week

Authentic: Will and Karen wore Indian-inspired outfits for the energetic performance

And he added: 'But my other advice to you is turn up, keep up and shut up!'

Backstage, Will diplomatically said: 'I just want to say, I adore Len. He is the King of Ballroom - I just get passionate!'

Will originally shot to fame after beating Gareth Gates to the Pop Idol crown in 2002.

Having his say: Len said: 'For me, not enough Salsa. I loved the dance it was entertaining it was fun... but it's a Salsa, and I would have liked more'

Let's dance: Will claimed there were '24 counts' in the routine

No hard feelings: Backstage, Will diplomatically said: 'I just want to say, I adore Len. He is the King of Ballroom - I just get passionate!'

He bravely stood up to Simon Cowell after the music mogul called one of his performances 'distinctly average'.

The then aspiring singer hit back: 'All of us have been dying to say things to you – I've written about ten things to say 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.'

Not mincing his words: Len told Will he didn't recognise most of the salsa steps

KATCHING MY I

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Tuesday, 8 November 2016